Short answer: the Pitt & Giblin Flare. It ranks #15 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.6/5); the ADAM Audio S5V ranks #49 (rated 4.4/5).
Why pick the Pitt & Giblin Flare: Manufacturer measurements indicate a tight 1.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a 8.51 ideal-subwoofer score, promising natural vocal balance. The catch: This is a substantial specialist system rather than an uncomplicated desktop purchase.
What the ADAM Audio S5V does well: A vertical three-way main monitor with a 12” HexaCone woofer, a 4” dome/cone midrange and the S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, driven by 1,100W. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured two-way ADAM Audio S2V.
Buy the Pitt & Giblin Flare. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ADAM Audio S5V.
About the ratings: the ADAM Audio S5V’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.0 to 4.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Pitt & Giblin Flare | ADAM Audio S5V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | A$12,760 per pair | $20,599.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #15 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #49 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported reflex | - |
| Drivers | 8” (200mm) paper-cone mid-bass driver, 25mm polymer compression driver on a cast-bronze circular waveguide | 12” HexaCone woofer, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide |
| Dimensions | 11.6”W x 17.3”H x 11.4”D (295 x 440 x 290 mm) (cabinet); waveguide adds 110mm to total height | 27.5”H x 15.4”W x 20.5”D (698 x 390 x 520 mm) |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) each | 114.6 lbs (52 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 250W per speaker, bi-amplified (Pascal Class-D) | 1,100W total |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz-25kHz +/-1.5dB | 25Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Analogue XLR/RCA, S/PDIF coaxial digital | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital |
| Country | Hand-built in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.12 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.51 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 128dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | - | Yes (selectable voicings, 6-band parametric EQ, delay) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Pitt & Giblin Flare:
- Pitt & Giblin Flare vs Buchardt A10
- Pitt & Giblin Flare vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB vs Pitt & Giblin Flare
- Pitt & Giblin Flare vs ADAM Audio S5H
- ADAM Audio S5H vs ADAM Audio S5V
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Pitt & Giblin Flare: A$12,760 per pair Pitt & Giblin eBay
Pros: Manufacturer measurements indicate a tight 1.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a 8.51 ideal-subwoofer score, promising natural vocal balance. Measured -3dB extension of 37Hz suggests useful standalone bass from this active system.
Cons: This is a substantial specialist system rather than an uncomplicated desktop purchase. Allow room for suitable placement and the complete active system.
Full Pitt & Giblin Flare review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 250W per speaker, bi-amplified (Pascal Class-D) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | Hand-built in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Dimensions | 11.6”W x 17.3”H x 11.4”D (295 x 440 x 290 mm) (cabinet); waveguide adds 110mm to total height |
| Drivers | 8” (200mm) paper-cone mid-bass driver, 25mm polymer compression driver on a cast-bronze circular waveguide |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported reflex |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz-25kHz +/-1.5dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Analogue XLR/RCA, S/PDIF coaxial digital |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.51 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ADAM Audio S5V: $20,599.98 per pair Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the ADAM Audio S2V (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5), the ADAM Audio S3V (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 4.5/5), the ADAM Audio S3H (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 4.5/5) and the ADAM Audio S5H (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5).
Pros: A vertical three-way main monitor with a 12” HexaCone woofer, a 4” dome/cone midrange and the S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter, driven by 1,100W. ADAM specifies bass to 25Hz and 128dB peak output, enough for full-range playback at high level in a large room without a subwoofer. Like the ADAM Audio S2V it uses a handmade S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in an HPS waveguide and DSP with selectable voicings, a 6-band parametric EQ and delay for fitting it to the room, with analog XLR and AES digital inputs.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured two-way ADAM Audio S2V. It is a very large main monitor built for soffits or heavy stands in big control rooms, which makes it impractical for most homes.
Full ADAM Audio S5V review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 1,100W total |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (selectable voicings, 6-band parametric EQ, delay) |
| Dimensions | 27.5”H x 15.4”W x 20.5”D (698 x 390 x 520 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” HexaCone woofer, 4” DCH dome/cone midrange, S-ART folded-ribbon tweeter in HPS waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 25Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR analog, AES/EBU digital |
| Maximum SPL | 128dB peak @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 114.6 lbs (52 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons