Short answer: the Adam Audio S2V. It ranks #16 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $3,399.98; the JBL 708P ranks #62, rated 4.2/5, and costs $3,798, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The JBL 708P is the deeper-bass choice. Erin’s measurements give 43.9Hz -3dB extension and a 6.91 ideal-subwoofer score, with useful bass from a professional active monitor. Its bass reaches about 43.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 52.7Hz for the Adam Audio S2V. The catch: The 2.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes audible-relevance irregularities, with port-region features and vertical crossover sensitivity.
The Adam Audio S2V is the more accurate option. A 7.98 ideal-subwoofer score and relatively even listening-window response support a strong role as a subwoofer-assisted studio monitor. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.84 against 5.03 for the JBL 708P. Watch for: Measured -3dB extension is 52.7Hz, so the large cabinet does not automatically deliver the deepest bass here.
Buy the Adam Audio S2V. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 708P and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 708P | Adam Audio S2V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,798 per pair | $3,399.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #62 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 41.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Dimensions | 17.2”H x 9.8”W x 11.5”D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) | 13.6” x 8.7” x 13.3” (346 x 222 x 338 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11.0 kg) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver | 7” woofer, S-ART AMT tweeter |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| DSP | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | 350W total (300W woofer Class D, 50W tweeter Class A/B) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.03 | 5.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.91 | 7.98 |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) | XLR, AES/EBU |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Adam Audio S2V:
- Genelec 8341A vs Adam Audio S2V
- LOGProfessional Alpha vs Adam Audio S2V
- Neumann KH 310 A vs Adam Audio S2V
- JBL 308P MKII vs Adam Audio S2V
- Yamaha HS8 vs Adam Audio S2V
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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
JBL 708P: $3,798 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR6328P (ranked higher, rated 4.6/5).
Same family: the JBL 705P (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.9/5).
Pros: Erin’s measurements give 43.9Hz -3dB extension and a 6.91 ideal-subwoofer score, with useful bass from a professional active monitor. The waveguide and onboard processing make it a practical choice for a carefully installed studio system. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes audible-relevance irregularities, with port-region features and vertical crossover sensitivity. High-level distortion remains a constraint. Its professional positioning and amplifier power do not make it automatically more neutral than the cheaper JBL 308P MKII. A port resonance adds a mild rise around 600 to 900Hz, and vertical dispersion is narrower than horizontal, so stay within a few degrees of the tweeter axis.
Full JBL 708P review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.2”H x 9.8”W x 11.5”D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.91 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Adam Audio S2V: $3,399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the ADAM Audio S3V (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.5/5), the ADAM Audio S3H (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.5/5), the ADAM Audio S5V (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5) and the ADAM Audio S5H (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5).
Pros: A 7.98 ideal-subwoofer score and relatively even listening-window response support a strong role as a subwoofer-assisted studio monitor. The review’s low-distortion findings add useful evidence beyond amplifier ratings, and onboard DSP permits tailored adjustment. The review measured distortion about 70dB below the signal at 1kHz. Measured bass extension of 52.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Measured -3dB extension is 52.7Hz, so the large cabinet does not automatically deliver the deepest bass here. The native balance rises toward the treble, with some lower-midrange unevenness. DSP can improve that balance, but an EQ-optimized result is not its unadjusted performance.
Full Adam Audio S2V review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 350W total (300W woofer Class D, 50W tweeter Class A/B) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 8.7” x 13.3” (346 x 222 x 338 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 7” woofer, S-ART AMT tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.98 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11.0 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons