Adam T5V+T10S Subwoofer, Adam A4V, or Kali Audio IN-5?

[negr4s0]

I see there's mixed opinions on the quality of the T10S. I have a pair of T5V I would like to add a subwoofer to. Would a JBL 310 S be preferable to a T10S in any way?

Price-wise it'd be almost the same to get a pair of T7V which I imagine do a better job on the low frequencies. I do enjoy the mid-range on the T5V though.

 

[snoopy30]

I just wouldn't do it. There's the phase to hope you get right (and if not may never get right), there's the filtering that has to happen to get the low frequencies away from the T5V, then there's the puny amps in the T5V which can't keep up (and is why the T10V only has a 130W amplifier).

Do it properly and look for three-way. It's exactly why I've just bought S3V at half the price of new in as-new condition.

 

[uwotm8]

I have a pair of T5V I would like to add a subwoofer to

I agree with @snoopy30 that cheap'n'slow sub is not a perfect match for T5Vs (and any good speakers, to be honest).
What's more interesting is that T5Vs are not that bad in terms of bass quantity and even depth if properly placed. Quality suffers tho.
Honestly I'd consider getting better speakers instead of adding more/deeper bass of same (or worse) quality and speed.

Price-wise it'd be almost the same to get a pair of T7V which I imagine do a better job on the low frequencies

They are very similar to T5Vs except that +3 dB HF shelf. T8Vs are bassier but have typical budget 2-way 8" issues.
Better speakers mentioned above could be Adam A series, Genelec and so on.

 

[negr4s0]

Thanks for the replies @snoopy30 @uwotm8. Much appreciated. Better speakers make sense. Perhaps that T10S is intended for people using T5V for home cinema or similar. I have seen marketing material from Adam suggesting such uses.

Ultimately 3-way would be ideal but they seem to represent a huge jump in price from the T series. I'm considering saving for some A7V next. Do you guys think it's worth the upgrade? I know someone with a pair of A7X; will try to arrange listening to those at some point.

S3V look absolutely amazing! Alas, out of budget for the time being. Congrats on those @snoopy30 !

 

[uwotm8]

I'm considering saving for some A7V next. Do you guys think it's worth the upgrade?

YES! I made exactly that switch - T5V to A7V - and the result exceeded my expectations.
It's not about bass depth or more power (which is included ofc), they are just another league.

 

[snoopy30]

T10S doesn't have the power to put energy into the room so makes for a weak home cinema choice but then it's matched for the power of the T5V so that's fair enough. Anyhow despite much criticism towards my evaluation of it, it's nice someone else that has actually owned the sub agrees with my ears - that it's crap.

There's no comparison between the T8V and T5V at the lower end. I also agree with comments that the T5V for the size of the driver and cabinet does it's best but it's still poor at the low end and no equalising or placement is going to change that. The T8V is (within it's volume limitations) a beast at the low end. I still feel in this one area it very slightly out does the S3V, T8V have a real punch to them.

If you can afford the extra for the T8V and can live with the larger cabinet size then you absolutely 100% must go for it over T5V and forget all about a sub. There is no question. This is a speaker you can live with and enjoy. I can pass no judgement on the T7V as I've not owned or heard them.

There is an annoyance with S3V - they have no standby function and generate a fair bit of heat at the rear. Had to be something!

All these speaker manufacturers are ensuring their lower priced stuff doesn't encroach on their higher end offerings where they make far more money but sell far less. When I looked at the T8V electronics the ADC was feeding I2S/PCM directly into the DSP/AMP chip. For less than $2 USD they could have added a DIR9001 (https://www.ti.com/product/DIR9001) and supported AES3. Even the cost of the Axx series the user isn't paying enough. For a $2 chip you have to spend $3000 per speaker, on the S3V.

 

[snoopy30]

Thanks for the replies @snoopy30 @uwotm8. Much appreciated. Better speakers make sense. Perhaps that T10S is intended for people using T5V for home cinema or similar. I have seen marketing material from Adam suggesting such uses.

Ultimately 3-way would be ideal but they seem to represent a huge jump in price from the T series. I'm considering saving for some A7V next. Do you guys think it's worth the upgrade? I know someone with a pair of A7X; will try to arrange listening to those at some point.

S3V look absolutely amazing! Alas, out of budget for the time being. Congrats on those @snoopy30 !

You're not buying "better" drivers, you're buying more power and better quality ADC & DSP. A7X will naturally do better at mid-range with the 7" driver, and less at the bottom end (at lower volume). Obviously when turning T8V up bass limiters start to kick in to try and limit distortion (all nicely controlled by the Burr Brown magic) so at that point A7X may outdo T8V low down.

The difference between T8V and S3V at low volume is surprisingly minimal so that is the primary consideration, is T8V loud enough for your needs?