Short answer: the Audio Smile Little British Monitor if sound quality matters most, the Adam Audio D3v if price matters most. The Audio Smile Little British Monitor ranks #1 of 23 powered bookshelf speakers at $529. The Adam Audio D3v ranks #3 at $339.99, $189.01 cheaper.
What the Audio Smile Little British Monitor gets right: For an 8 inch tall, 1.7kg desktop monitor it posts the highest preference score of any small powered monitor in this batch. Set against that: The compact 3 inch mid woofer limits bass extension to a measured 71.8Hz at -3dB, so this is a nearfield desktop speaker rather than a room filling one. 50W plus 50W of Class A/B power and a narrow +/-1dB treble trim limit its output ceiling next to larger active monitors at similar money.
The case for the Adam Audio D3v: Compact powered desktop monitor with passive radiators on the sides for extra bass extension, designed specifically for near-field (about 1 meter) listening. The catch: Built-in limiter chops off both low-frequency and midrange content as output increases - not intended for loud or far-field listening.
Buy the Audio Smile Little British Monitor if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Adam Audio D3v if the price matters more than sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio Smile Little British Monitor | Adam Audio D3v | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £529 per pair | $339.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #3 of 23 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | 0.75" wide band tweeter, 3" long throw mid woofer | 3.5" woofer, U-ART accelerated ribbon tweeter |
| Dimensions | 8.1"H x 4.7"W x 5.3"D (205 x 120 x 135 mm) | 6.7"H x 4.3"W x 5.9"D (170.2 x 109.2 x 149.9 mm) |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg) (Master unit) / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) (Slave unit) | 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W LF, 50W HF, Class A/B) | 50W (30W woofer + 20W tweeter) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz-20kHz -6dB | 50Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD | - |
| Warranty | 12 months | - |
| Country | United Kingdom | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.63 | 4.47 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 | 6.70 |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment filters) |
| Inputs | - | USB-C, balanced 1/4-inch TRS |
| Sensitivity | - | 86.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 102dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audio Smile Little British Monitor:
- Adam Audio D3v vs Genelec 8010A
- Adam Audio D3v vs Audioengine HD3
- Adam Audio D3v vs Kali LP-UNF
- Adam Audio D3v vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Adam Audio D3v vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Audio Smile Little British Monitor: £529 per pair Audio Smile eBay
Pros: Among the strongest measured tonal performers in this size class: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 4.63 predicted preference score, or 7.38 with an ideal subwoofer. Low narrow-band response deviations on-axis and across the listening window support clear, relatively uncolored vocals and instruments. Broad horizontal coverage makes small changes of listening position less critical. Active DSP crossover and a very compact cabinet suit close desktop listening. Measured bass extension of 71.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB at about 72Hz, so a subwoofer is important for the lowest notes. The measured response still spans 3.3dB from 300Hz to 5kHz; the small average-deviation statistic should not be mistaken for an almost perfectly flat response. Small drivers limit the intended application to nearfield listening, and the preference score does not establish maximum clean output.
Full Audio Smile Little British Monitor review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W LF, 50W HF, Class A/B) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz |
| Dimensions | 8.1"H x 4.7"W x 5.3"D (205 x 120 x 135 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75" wide band tweeter, 3" long throw mid woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz-20kHz -6dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg) (Master unit) / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) (Slave unit) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Adam Audio D3v: $339.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Excellent midrange linearity for a tiny desktop speaker: Erin’s Klippel data spans just 1.7dB from 300Hz to 5kHz. Side passive radiators help bass reach -3dB at about 51Hz, substantially deeper than the Genelec 8010A or Audio Smile LBM. Predicted preference scores of 4.47 standalone and 6.70 with an ideal subwoofer support it as a particularly useful compact system without a sub. USB-C, analog inputs and placement filters simplify desk setup. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
Cons: A rising upper-frequency balance and vertical crossover interference keep it from being uniformly neutral at every angle; aim the tweeters toward ear height. The limiter reduces bass and midrange output as volume rises, with the existing review’s compression tests putting usable maximum output around 89-90dB at 1m. Deep bass at moderate volume should not be confused with high output capability.
Full Adam Audio D3v review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W (30W woofer + 20W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7"H x 4.3"W x 5.9"D (170.2 x 109.2 x 149.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5" woofer, U-ART accelerated ribbon tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment filters) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | USB-C, balanced 1/4-inch TRS |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.47 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.70 |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: ADAM Audio D3V: Mighty Small But Mighty Awesome Desktop Speaker More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Review Adam Audio D3v
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Are the D3V The Best Studio Monitors For The Money?
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Best Budget Desktop Speakers, Tested & Rated
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Adam Audio D3v vs Genelec 8010A
- Adam Audio D3v vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Adam Audio D3v vs Edifier M60
- Adam Audio D3v vs Edifier MR3
- Adam Audio D3v vs Audioengine A2+
- Adam Audio D3v vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Adam Audio D3v vs Audioengine HD3
- Adam Audio D3v vs Mackie CR3-X
- See all 11 comparisons