Short answer: the Neumann KH120 MKII for the higher ranking, the Adam Audio T5V for the lower price. The Neumann KH120 MKII ranks #1 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers at $2000. The Adam Audio T5V ranks #8 at $239.99, $1760.01 cheaper.
What the Adam Audio T5V gets right: Better than the HS5 in terms of vocals detail and better low end. Set against that: Elevated, slightly uneven top end from the AMT tweeter, shared with Adam’s other T-series monitors - the rear treble trim only tilts.
On the Neumann KH120 MKII side: CEA2034 spinorama is about as flat as the reviewer has measured, with excellent directivity aside from a small blip around 2kHz. Set against that: A minor directivity blip appears around 2kHz.
Buy the Adam Audio T5V if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Neumann KH120 MKII if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio T5V | Neumann KH120 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.99 | $2000 |
| Ranked | #8 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #1 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.0"W x 11.7"D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) | 11.3"H x 7.2"W x 8.9"D (287 x 182.9 x 226.1 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 44Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | XLR |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg each |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 5.25" woofer, 1" titanium fabric dome tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (via DSP) |
| Output Power | 70w Per Speaker | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 36Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 46Hz |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Max SPL | - | 116.8dB @ 1m |
The Two Speakers In Full
Adam Audio T5V: $239.99 Amazon
Pros: Better than the HS5 in terms of vocals detail and better low end.
Cons: Elevated, slightly uneven top end from the AMT tweeter, shared with Adam’s other T-series monitors - the rear treble trim only tilts the response rather than flattening it. Distortion, while better controlled than most speakers in this price range, isn’t reference quality.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.0"W x 11.7"D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 70w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Neumann KH120 MKII: $2000 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is about as flat as the reviewer has measured, with excellent directivity aside from a small blip around 2kHz, and bass response that stays flat almost down to 50Hz. Predicted in-room response is superb despite not being strictly valid for a near-field monitor at this distance. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±50 degrees is nice and well controlled. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is exceptionally low. Even at 96dB SPL/1m - just 1dB before the clipping indicator engages - it stays very clean outside of deep bass.
Cons: A minor directivity blip appears around 2kHz. Vertical directivity narrows quickly above the reference axis, so the reviewer recommends staying right at it. Distortion rises substantially in the deep bass under 50Hz at higher output (96dB SPL/1m). Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows a resonance in the upper midrange. High price.
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46Hz |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 11.3"H x 7.2"W x 8.9"D (287 x 182.9 x 226.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" woofer, 1" titanium fabric dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 116.8dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8020D
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Neumann KH80 DSP
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- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs JBL 305P MKII
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Presonus Eris E5
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- See all 11 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.