Short answer: the JBL 308P MKII. It ranks #24 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $498; the Adam Audio S2V ranks #37 and costs $3500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JBL 308P MKII: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response from 45Hz to above 15kHz, with almost no directivity error. The tradeoff: A resonance shows up around 18kHz and a slight dip around 1.4kHz.
What the Adam Audio S2V offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows excellent driver blending through an imperceptible crossover between the 7” woofer and AMT tweeter, with distortion measured 70dB down at 1kHz. Watch for: An intentional shelving curve creates a dip in the low bass response, roughly 200-500Hz.
Buy the JBL 308P MKII. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Adam Audio S2V and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Adam Audio S2V. It ranks near the bottom of the 40 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 308P MKII | Adam Audio S2V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $498 | $3500 |
| Ranked | #24 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #37 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 10"W x 12.1"D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) | not published by manufacturer |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | not published by manufacturer | not published by manufacturer |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter | 7" woofer, S-ART AMT tweeter |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| DSP | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 112W total | 350W total (300W woofer Class D, 50W tweeter Class A/B) |
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- JBL 708P vs Adam Audio T8V
- JBL 708P vs Yamaha HS8
- Neumann KH 310 A vs Adam Audio T8V
- Edifier R2850DB vs Adam Audio S2V
- Adam Audio S2V vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 308P MKII: $498 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response from 45Hz to above 15kHz, with almost no directivity error. Dual 56W Class D amps drive an 8” woofer and 1” tweeter with a smooth, imperceptible crossover transition. Excellent value at $498 per pair.
Cons: A resonance shows up around 18kHz and a slight dip around 1.4kHz. An electronic limiter creates measurable anomalies around 96dB, and maximum clean output tops out around 105dB SPL before heavy limiting kicks in. Some audible tweeter hiss at close range.
Full JBL 308P MKII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 10"W x 12.1"D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 112W total |
| Weight | not published by manufacturer |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Adam Audio S2V: $3500 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows excellent driver blending through an imperceptible crossover between the 7” woofer and AMT tweeter, with distortion measured 70dB down at 1kHz. The 350W amplifier was the first the reviewer tested that didn’t run out of power on demand, delivering over 120dB SPL per pair.
Cons: An intentional shelving curve creates a dip in the low bass response, roughly 200-500Hz. The rotary-encoder control interface is non-intuitive, and the companion PC app requires serial-number registration with settings that only take effect after a manual “write” step that takes 5-10 seconds and produces audible ticks and pops. Expensive at $3,500 per pair.
Full Adam Audio S2V review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | not published by manufacturer |
| Drivers | 7" woofer, S-ART AMT tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 350W total (300W woofer Class D, 50W tweeter Class A/B) |
| Weight | not published by manufacturer |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons