Kali LP-6 or Adam Audio T5V? Which one is a better value for money? Comparison Review

Today we compare Kali LP-6 and Adam Audio T5V studio monitors. Can smaller T5V compete with bigger LP-6? Which one offers better value for money for music producers? Let's find out!

Build Quality & Features

Quality of the cabinets and overall fit and finish is similar in both T5V and LP-6, both have avarage build quality and both use plastic on their front panels. Adam is obviously smaller overall, but the footprint on desk of both is suprisingly similar due to unusually deep cabinet and the bass reflex port on the back of T5V.
Kali has more advanced tone control section that allows more precise tailoring of frequency response, LP-6 also has higher quality switches and knobs on the amp panel, but more importantly LP-6 has substantially quieter hiss when compared to pretty intrusive hiss coming from T5V's tweeters.

Sound Quality

Kali and Adam have quite different sound signature, Kali sounds smoother and more laid back with gradually rolling off upper mids and treble, while Adam has forward and quite agressive sound in comparison due to lifted upper mids and lower treble. Kali also has more balanced and linear frequency response while Adam has significant peeks and walleys in response and in result sounds slightly disjonted.
Basswise Kali LP-6 logically has more extended response reaching down to 40Hz with good authority and control. Adam also has audible bass to ca. 40Hz but below 60Hz it looses the some of the power and control, relying strongly on aid from bass reflex port and sounding a bid slow and loose in result.
Midrange is where these two differ a lot. Kali has a slight emphasis on low mids and above that slightly and gradually rolls off towards treble. This give LP-6 slightly warm and smooth sound while also presenting good balance, linearity and clarity. Adam is less linear with boosted 1kHz to 2kHz and from 5kHz to almost 15kHz ranges and a big valley in between those two. T5V in results of those deviations from neutral sounds forward and bright with sound that emphasizes presence of female voices and high-hats and cymbals. Adam makes electric guitars sound bright and forward while also lacking some presence. This kind of sound T5V presents will be tiring to those with sensitive ears.
Treble is where Adam shows a bit of advantage when it comes to detail and air over Kali which seem a bit treble shy in comparison. Kali also has boost in upper treble (over 15kHz) but it is a region that not many can properly hear. Soundstage is quite different in both, Both create big soundstage with nice images, but Adam throws the stage forward while Kali is again more laid back. Both present good detail and precise images.

Here is frequency response comparison of T5V and LP6 measured in room from 1 meter using UMIK-1 microphone:

Here is sound comparison video from my YouTube channel:

Conclusion

In summary I have to admit that I much prefered the sound quality of Kali LP-6 both for work and music listetning. LP6 is more balanced and smoother yet still detailed and transparent overall. Adam T5V is a good monitor for those looking for a bit of extra clarity in the upper ranges, but comes with few too many compromises to be able to challange Kali LP6.