Short answer: the Neumann KH120 MKII. It ranks #2 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.7/5, at $1,898. The ADAM Audio A4V ranks #67, rated 3.6/5, at $1,079.98, $818.02 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Neumann KH120 MKII is the more accurate choice. An extremely accurate compact studio monitor, with very low distortion and bass to about 45Hz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.49 against 3.92 for the ADAM Audio A4V. The catch: Vertical crossover interference makes listening height important even though horizontal dispersion is well controlled.
The case for the ADAM Audio A4V: A compact studio monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room correction support for tricky rooms. The tradeoff: A small average-deviation figure hides a major localized response irregularity: the selected measurement spans 10.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.547.
Buy the Neumann KH120 MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $818.02 with the ADAM Audio A4V does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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An extremely accurate compact studio monitor, with very low distortion and bass to about 45Hz.
A compact studio monitor with onboard DSP, placement controls and room correction support for tricky rooms.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Neumann KH120 MKII | ADAM Audio A4V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,898.00 per pair | $1,079.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #2 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #67 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 11.3”H x 7.2”W x 8.9”D (287 x 182.9 x 226.1 mm) | 10.6H x 6.2W x 8.7D in |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR and RCA; Ethernet for control |
| Drivers | 5.25” woofer, 1” titanium fabric dome tweeter | X-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, 4” MLM woofer |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) each | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) each |
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| DSP | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) | - |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 41kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) | 130W RMS each |
| Maximum SPL | 116.8dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.49 | 3.92 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.44 | 6.33 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, dual front ports |
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