Short answer: the Sigberg Audio SBS.1. It ranks #22 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the Adam Audio T5V ranks #28.
What the Adam Audio T5V offers: Better than the HS5 in terms of vocals detail and better low end. Watch for: 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.
What the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 offers: Its 6.26 Spinorama preference score with a perfect subwoofer is the appropriate bass-normalized result because the SBS.1 is designed as a system with companion subwoofers, not for standalone use. That score exceeds the Manta’s 5.91, supported by better on-axis linearity and in-room smoothness above the subwoofer range. Distinctive 4-way coaxial design with dual 5.5” midbass drivers flanking a coincident 1” tweeter for time-aligned output. Active 3-channel Hypex nCore Class D amplification (350W per speaker) with a 9-band parametric EQ and factory presets. Watch for: Its 6.26 preference score with a perfect subwoofer trails the SBS Gen 2’s 6.74, and it has the widest listening-window deviation of the three Sigberg systems. Discontinued and sold out, replaced by the SBS Gen 2.
Buy the Adam Audio T5V when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio T5V | Sigberg Audio SBS.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.99 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #28 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 18Hz (manufacturer, with companion subwoofers) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7"W x 11.7"D (297.2 x 177.8 x 297.2 mm) | 16.1"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg each |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 2x 5.5" midbass, 1" coaxial silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Output Power | 70w Per Speaker | 350W per speaker |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| Max SPL | - | 116dB |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Country | - | Norway |
| Measurement Source | - | Manufacturer |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sigberg Audio SBS.1 compares with other leading options:
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Sigberg Audio SBS.1
- JBL 305P MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS.1
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS.1
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS.1
- KEF LSX II LT vs Sigberg Audio SBS.1
Prices on this page were last checked September 9, 2026 at 6:54 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Adam Audio T5V: $239.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR’s data shows a small 2.0dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, a -3dB point around 59Hz, and scores of 3.74 standalone and 6.11 with an ideal subwoofer. It offers useful bass and midrange performance for an affordable studio monitor. Rear tonal trims allow broad placement adjustment.
Cons: The response rises toward the treble by about 0.56dB per octave, so the small midrange span should not be mistaken for flat full-band response. Upper-frequency unevenness remains, and a shelving control cannot precisely remove every peak. The existing review finds distortion reasonable for the price rather than reference-class; deeper bass and demanding levels still call for more capable hardware.
Full Adam Audio T5V review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7"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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Adam Audio T5V 6-Track Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali LP-6 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Bright and brighter. PreSonus E5 XT takes on Adam Audio T5V SOUND & FREQUENCY RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Adam Audio T7V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sigberg Audio SBS.1: Discontinued eBay
Pros: The 6.26 preference score with an ideal subwoofer is the relevant tonal comparison for this subwoofer-dependent design. Manufacturer-supplied data shows a 2.0dB midrange response span, and onboard parametric EQ offers substantial system-tuning flexibility. It is intended as a main speaker in a complete system rather than a conventional full-range desktop pair.
Cons: The measured -3dB point is around 97Hz and the standalone score is 2.97, reflecting the requirement for a companion subwoofer rather than an unexpectedly weak full-range design. It is discontinued, so condition and system compatibility matter when buying used. Discontinued.
Full Sigberg Audio SBS.1 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 18Hz (manufacturer, with companion subwoofers) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Country | Norway |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.1"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 5.5" midbass, 1" coaxial silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Max SPL | 116dB |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Output Power | 350W per speaker |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sigberg Audio SBS.1 vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Sigberg Audio SBS.1 vs KEF LSX II LT
- Sigberg Audio SBS.1 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS.1 vs JBL 305P MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS.1 vs Kali LP-UNF
- Sigberg Audio SBS.1 vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Sigberg Audio SBS.1 vs Yamaha HS5
- Sigberg Audio SBS.1 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- See all 10 comparisons