Short answer: the Adam Audio S2V, narrowly, for a cleaner transition and lower distortion. Its CEA2034 spinorama shows excellent driver blending through an imperceptible crossover between the 7” woofer and AMT tweeter, with distortion measured 70dB down at 1kHz, though a shelving curve dips the low bass from roughly 200-500Hz. The Nines cost $999.99 against $3,399.98, and Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim over the app’s flat setting.
Buy the Klipsch The Nines when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Adam Audio S2V when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch The Nines | Adam Audio S2V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 per pair | $3,399.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #40 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 8” high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 7” woofer, S-ART AMT tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) | 350W total (300W woofer Class D, 50W tweeter Class A/B) |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical | XLR, AES/EBU |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| Dimensions | 19.13”H x 9.5”W x 13.38”D | 13.6” x 8.7” x 13.3” (346 x 222 x 338 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) primary, 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) secondary | 24.3 lbs (11.0 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 52.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) | Yes |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported bass reflex | - |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 | 5.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.90 | 7.98 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | Yes | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | Yes |
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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
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
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Adam Audio S2V: $3,399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
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