Short answer: the Adam Audio T8V for desk-distance listening, the Klipsch The Nines for a living room. The T8V costs $280.01 less and is balanced and neutral, very close to the Yamaha HS8, but a crossover notch around 4.6kHz and a vertical hole below the tweeter axis mean keeping the tweeter at or above ear height. Erin calls The Nines his favorite Klipsch speaker, noting the app’s flat setting leaves the treble elevated and a -2dB tweeter trim preferred.
Buy the Klipsch The Nines. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $280.01 saving on the Adam Audio T8V is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Adam Audio T8V | Klipsch The Nines | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $719.98 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #54 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #40 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 39.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 42.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.8”H x 9.8”W x 13.2”D (401.3 x 248.9 x 335.3 mm) | 19.13”H x 9.5”W x 13.38”D |
| Frequency Response | 33Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) primary, 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) secondary |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer | 8” high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| App | No | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 5.0 |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 90w Per Speaker | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.31 | 6.90 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Sensitivity | - | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | rear-ported bass reflex |
| Maximum SPL | - | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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 T8V: $719.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Measured -3dB extension of 39.6Hz gives useful bass depth for an affordable large monitor. Analog inputs and basic shelf controls offer uncomplicated studio integration. Measured bass extension of 39.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 6.31 ideal-subwoofer score and 3.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz show less even tonal balance than stronger budget alternatives. Treble emphasis and crossover-region vertical cancellation make listening height important. Deep bass and an AMT tweeter do not by themselves imply accurate sound. A notch around 4.6kHz, where tweeter and woofer interact, and a hole below the tweeter axis mean the tweeter should sit at or above ear height.
Full Adam Audio T8V review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 90w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 39.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 15.8”H x 9.8”W x 13.2”D (401.3 x 248.9 x 335.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 33Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.31 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- Sercan Solmaz: Adam Audio T8V vs Yamaha HS8 vs KRK Rokit 8 (STUDIO SPEAKER SOUND TEST)
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T8V vs KRK Rokit 8 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch The Nines: $999.99 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: The 1.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, and measured -3dB extension is 42.5Hz. Extensive consumer connections and app adjustment make it convenient for TV and music, while the horn provides a focused listening presentation. Erin called it his favorite Klipsch speaker. Measured bass extension of 42.5Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 82.5dB.
Cons: The 6.90 ideal-subwoofer score reflects limitations beyond the narrow midband span. Horizontal coverage is relatively focused, so placement matters for multiple seats. The reviewer preferred reduced treble, and bass limiting at higher playback levels means the large woofer is not a guarantee of unlimited output. The app’s flat setting leaves treble elevated; Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim.
Full Klipsch The Nines review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| App | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.13”H x 9.5”W x 13.38”D |
| Drivers | 8” high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.90 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) primary, 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) secondary |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported bass reflex |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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