Short answer: the JBL 708P for better sound quality, the Adam Audio T8V for the lower price. The JBL 708P ranks #20 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers at $4000. The Adam Audio T8V ranks #25 at $349.99, $3650.01 cheaper.
On the JBL 708P side: CEA2034 spinorama shows extremely good frequency response both on- and off-axis, with excellent horizontal directivity. Set against that: A port resonance creates a mild rise around 600-900Hz.
What the Adam Audio T8V offers: Quite balanced and neutral, very close to the Yamaha HS8. Watch for: A crossover-region notch around 4.6kHz where tweeter and woofer interact, and a hole in the vertical response below the tweeter axis - keep the tweeter at or above ear height.
Buy the JBL 708P if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Adam Audio T8V if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 708P | Adam Audio T8V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4000 | $349.99 |
| Ranked | #20 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 35Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 17.2"H x 9.8"W x 11.5"D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) | 15.8"H x 9.8"W x 13.2"D (401.3 x 248.9 x 335.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 33Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs / 11.4 kg each | 21.6 lbs / 9.8 kg |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | 90w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | - | XLR, RCA |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL 308P MKII vs Adam Audio S2V
- JBL 4329P vs Adam Audio T7V
- JBL 4329P vs Kali Audio LP-6
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs JBL 708P
- JBL 708P vs Kali Audio LP-8
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 708P: $4000 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows extremely good frequency response both on- and off-axis, with excellent horizontal directivity. Bi-amplified 500W design (250W woofer, 250W compression driver) handles an 8” woofer and JBL’s 2409H compression tweeter.
Cons: A port resonance creates a mild rise around 600-900Hz. Vertical dispersion is narrower than horizontal, so staying within a few degrees of the tweeter axis matters. Distortion climbs at 96dB SPL, with the tweeter reaching about 2.5% THD at elevated levels.
Full JBL 708P review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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) |
| Output Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs / 11.4 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Adam Audio T8V: $349.99 Amazon
Pros: Quite balanced and neutral, very close to the Yamaha HS8. Deeper bass than the HS8
Cons: A crossover-region notch around 4.6kHz where tweeter and woofer interact, and a hole in the vertical response below the tweeter axis - keep the tweeter at or above ear height. Distortion is well controlled at 86dB SPL but gets messier at 96dB.
Full Adam Audio T8V review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 90w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs / 9.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons