Death Match Desktop Reference Speakers - Adam Audio vs Kali

In a death match, to determine the best speaker for the Scientific Audiophiles Desktop Reference system, the Adam Audio T5V's, the current champion, take on new comer the Kali LP-UNF.
More information on the Adam Audio T5V can be found here:
www.adam-audio.com/en/t-serie...
More information on the Kali LP-UNF can be found here:
www.kaliaudio.com/lp-unf
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction
0:29 Death Match Rules
1:19 Name
1:53 Looks
3:03 Interface
4:03 Bluetooth
4:31 Size
4:50 Price
5:41 Frequency Response
7:33 Power Capability
8:01 Dynamics
8:24 Dynamics Blind Testing
9:16 Winner
10:00 Unbalanced Cable Comparison Tie Breaker
11:28 Conclusion

[@johnwright8814]

The blind drunk test is an excellent category. I can't think why other reviewers omit this vital performance metric.

[@scientificaudiophile]

They lack understanding of what true audio bliss is all about.

[@nicolasalexander408]

😅

[@gumbygreeneye3655]

I really smiled when I could see you mouthing your dad’s lines. Great video!

[@scientificaudiophile]

That wasn’t the first take- it had been a while. 😀

[@hoobsgroove]

it's not the RCA it's the power input to the speaker you getting a earth feedback and computer noise through the power, you need to put a blocker on it ifi mains blocker, plug it into the speaker and plug your cable into it. cheap and cheerful.

[@scientificaudiophile]

Thanks. I’ll tell my Dad.

[@hoobsgroove]

@@scientificaudiophile yeah tell him to put his hand in his pocket he might find something 😂

[@JordanPhegley]

Once again you've innovated by using a SA original BLACKOUT testing method instead of the simplistic, outdated blind testing people who don't understand science do.

[@scientificaudiophile]

Most "science" used today in audio, is light years behind what I'm doing.

[@anybody4802]

Amazing! thanks!

[@scientificaudiophile]

Glad you like it!

[@sighheinrich]

Hey Mr. Scientific Audiophile. Good death match, GGWP. What kind of background do you have? Did you start with listening to Diane Bish for 50 years and then making videos, or did you come from something else? Sometimes it sounds like you have a background in add agency etc. :)

[@scientificaudiophile]

My background is growing up an Audiophile. Loved my Nakamichi BX-2 cassette deck. Diane Bish was the first live concert I saw - I got dragged to church!

[@MrRonnmaui]

Great review! I always thought the Adam Audio sounded better, I was wrong.

[@scientificaudiophile]

Take out that shelving with EQ - use balanced cables and don't mind the extra size, and the Adams are better.

[@bdotgotbeats7882]

agreed I was sceptical until I messed with the HF/LF functions and upgraded to better cables (audioquest) much higher sound quality and no crackles or pops

[@maciejburchardt7927]

I have t5v paired with t10s sub and after couple of years, they’re still doing fine.

[@scientificaudiophile]

They're great speakers!

[@scottbennett3119]

Funny! I enjoy your videos...

[@scientificaudiophile]

Glad you like them!

[@nicolasalexander408]

Hi buddy, I just found your channel, cool! I was wondering, as I bought an Aiyima 2x50+100 amp board for a build and at the very least the bluetooth didn't work and when I connected a speaker to it there was a bit of crackling and popping going on, that I do see people get good results with them and with your 07 Max video you were well happy with the results? Would you say that it's the luck of the draw sometimes? Any advice on purchasing amp boards (brands or formats) for budget builds would be appreciated, I do see people making boomboxes all over and they seem to work? Thanks in advance and have a fun day! ;D

[@scientificaudiophile]

QC is still a problem with Aiyima, so yes, bad luck. I really liked the Aiyima Max - great amp. Of course powered speakers eliminate the need for an amp, so it depends on your needs.

[@nicolasalexander408]

@@scientificaudiophile Thanks for you reply, I've just noticed the Dayton KDGB 4x100 (or whatever it's called) for a crossover free life, I think for the hassle, (I'm a newbie so life's learning's), I think to spend a bit more and get quality controlled stuff, shame though good budget things are cool. Any advice on 12-24v power supplies?

[@scientificaudiophile]

@@nicolasalexander408 Probably cheaper to get a good power supply with a discounted Fosi v3. I think with 48v it’s $129. Then you can play with another decent cheap amp.

[@nicolasalexander408]

@@scientificaudiophile Thanks for that buddy, much appreciated! Just to say I also like the blind drunk test, as long as there is a light on the amp...🥳

[@Dan-pi6dx]

amazing videya

[@scientificaudiophile]

Thanks a lot

[@gmlgml780]

Yeah. I just got a pair of T5Vs out of your recommendation. I don't say that I am dissatisfied with the stuff (yet), I have too little experience with it (only a few hours of listening), but I already have a sense that I should have gotten the Yamaha HS5 for my current scenario. (Still it wouldn't solve my actual problem just how the T5V didn't, only the HS5 would be more of my taste, probably.) My original problem was that I had two systems, both of them are 30+ years old, vintage amps and speakers (driven by a modi and a magni for preamp), and they are extremely boomy. The boominess was gradually and pretty extensively improved by using thinner sounding amps as power amp instead of the vintage ones, or by using very different sound colorizations like the bass/treble control on the vintage (integrated) amps, or different good quality analog and digital graphic EQs. But the boominess never went away entirely. So now I was planning to get a reference system for myself, to see how much bad my older systems are. That's where you came in with your recommendation of the T5V. Now yesterday the T5Vs arrived, and I was astonished (I mean ASTO FKG NISHED) how much boomy these are sounding. (Out of the box.) I mean my vintage systems, all the AMPs and speakers cost 150 USD together, and the shiny and new T5V pair is 400 USD. And it's even more boomy. I just don't understand why people love bass so much. Additionally I just realized that (just like the T5Vs) my vintage systems sound way cleaner (maybe just clear) if I turn off all the other sound colorization options, but I only use a parametric EQ, and cut everything to basically silent (-50 dB) under 100 Hz, and gradually release the cut back to 0 db up to 450 Hz, and leaving everything unmodified above 450 Hz. That cut solves the boominess of all my systems, the old vintage ones and the new T5V, as well. So now I can think of 4 things. 1, Fk, why did I not get the Yamaha HS5. (But that's my smallest thought here). 2, Why is it good, that speakers "go down" to around 50 Hz, when below 450 Hz already everything is only an absolute bassy rumble, what crashes even human voices, not even mentioning every and all kind of fkg music. 3, Maybe my hearing is not good. I hear bass 100 (or maybe 1000) times louder than ordinary people. 4, And last, but totally not the least. Is that possible, that my absolutely untreated, very poorly populated, acoustically almost empty room with basically plain concrete wall surfaces, make the fool out of me ? That my vintage stuffs sound way good enough to me already, (maybe the T5V has a bit more detailed sound, I don't know, yet), but an acoustically wrong room can make THIS BIG error with the sound ? That you have to cut out the bass basically under 450 Hz if you don't want that deep overwhelming boomy sh@te ?

[@Gulbis]

Selfish dad wants his medicine 😢

[@jakedavila4468]

Dont give in! Pops has scratch!

[@jimfarrell4635]

Tell him to make do with highly effective, super scientific and cheap remedies like Reiki, Homeopathy and reflexology. They won't work, but they will keep him busy while you spend more of his money.

[@johnd8776]

Time to call APS-adult protective services…

[@carlb86]

Adam Audio sponsors one of my favorite music podcasts. Maybe your dad can just directly donate to the podcast instead. Was interesting how both speakers were totally silent during the testing.

[@RedFightingMood]

That was a very informative rant... That signal noise on the Adam is realy shocking though, compared to the Kali complete silence... Besides You liked the lower highs on the Kali, so there were several pros to them... Looks for the Adam nonetheless and with a big + on My side! To the Hindenpeter... And don't forget dad's wallet!🥴! Hic...

[@Mizar-XED]

I hate brightness in speakers as well, I tend to start rolloffs at about 4khz. And your smile is beautiful.

[@scientificaudiophile]

My dentist says my smile is going to put his children through college.

[@Mizar-XED]

@@scientificaudiophile Does your dentist believe in the Infinite Rating System? 'Cause if he doesn't...

[@georgeweah9717]

Excuse me sir. What drink is recommended for blinding myself before testing audio gear?

[@scientificaudiophile]

I recommend a drink called “Between the Sheets”. 1 ounce cognac 1 ounce light rum 1 ounce triple sec 1/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed Garnish: flamed orange peel

[@georgeweah9717]

Thank You Sir. I hope the channel matching on my eyes will be equal.

[@stanmyers5994]

Chris, you are the man, bring on the t shirts

[@scientificaudiophile]

I'm working on it. Need to do more prep. Thanks!

[@_DeepGroove_]

Refreshing as usual, just like a glass of Yquem with crushed ice

[@soundataraxia]

Could you please suggest speaker amplifiers within the budget range of under $500 and $1000?

[@scientificaudiophile]

What's wrong with these two powered speakers?

[@soundataraxia]

@@scientificaudiophile There is nothing wrong with them. I will soon finish building the speakers and am now looking for recommendations on a suitable speaker amplifier. I am interested in your opinion.

[@scientificaudiophile]

@@soundataraxia For one pair of speakers there are a lot of great options. Schitt Vidar, Outlaw audio (pretty much everything they offer) and Emotiva all make great amps.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Loxjie-a40

[@davida8682]

Already entertained one minute in.

[@simonirvine1628]

There are two issues that I have had with so called studio speakers for many years. 1, Their are too many of them to choice from in the market place, cheap or over priced. 2, Where is the speaker cover it should always be an option for the end user.

[@nw6066]

1 thing you didn't calculate in your rating: Kali has usb input. With inbuilt DAC (PWM) . Thats good and bad same time. Good, cause you dont need extra money. Bad, if you have superior DAC, but that will add even more $, where separate dac will be more expensive than speakers. Imo for this price category Kali is pure winner.

[@scientificaudiophile]

Good point.

[@VonKickass]

Your reviews are rated as a select calf Wagyu beef braised steak, topped with malagan foie gras and ten year old Auraluschagne forest truffles, elegantly draped in the fat of the now nearly extinct Indian Rhodonessa duck. Your sense of dress is rated as a Mumbai street vendor’s, Ganges river fish tikka masala

[@chrislj2890]

What, no wine comparison? I'm a bit disappointed.

[@scientificaudiophile]

No, you'll have to check out the original Kali LP-UNF wine rating, but no comparison to the Adam. Sorry.

[@chrislj2890]

@@scientificaudiophile That's okay, I don't drink that crap anyway. 🤮

[@Chris-hy6jy]

I was detecting the slightest hint of electrical interference i must admit 🤣

[@scientificaudiophile]

Your hearing must be as good as mine! Amazing.

[@bartrainer3916]

Regards to your shellfish father.

[@simonirvine1628]

I have said it before and I am now going to say it again, get rid of that lighting crew they keep fu*king with the dimmer fader.

[@scientificaudiophile]

Agreed. Got to figure out my Sony camera - thought I had it set to fixed.

[@simonirvine1628]

@@scientificaudiophile What, you don't have a lighting crew, What !!

[@pierresternegard6951]

There are no kevlar cone loudspeakers where the Kevlar driver handles mid/bass that sound good. Cheapaudioman just raves over one of those, an emotiva speaker. All he did was to expose that he is clueless or tone-deaf and has no idea of what is high fidelity sound.

[@kgobrien1]

your review gets an 11 based solely on your Father.