Short answer: the Adam Audio T5V. It ranks #12 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $239.99; the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 ranks #37 and costs $2500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio T5V | Sigberg Audio SBS.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.99 | $2,500.00 2023 listing, per speaker; requires a separate subwoofer, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #12 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #37 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 |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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: 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.
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 →
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- 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)
- Reddit Search for Adam Audio T5V Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Adam Audio T5V vs JBL 305P MKII
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Sigberg Audio SBS.1: $2,500.00 2023 listing, per speaker; requires a separate subwoofer, Discontinued eBay
Pros: 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.
Cons: 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. 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 Edifier R1280DB
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