Short answer: the JBL 708i. It ranks #120 of 216 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $2,998. The Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 ranks #128, rated 3.6/5, at $2,099, $899 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 does well: A substantial 6.5-inch standmount with unusually high measured sensitivity of 88.7dB. Watch for: The response tilts upward by 0.37dB per octave, so it will sound bright, and predicted in-room smoothness is a poor 0.16.
The JBL 708i is the deeper-bass option. High-output 8-inch professional monitor with JBL’s compression driver and Image Control Waveguide. Its bass reaches about 43.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 105.5Hz for the Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2. The tradeoff: This is not self-powered: achieving the measured active-mode response requires compatible external amplification and JBL processing, adding substantial cost and complexity.
Buy the JBL 708i. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $899 with the Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 | JBL 708i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,099 per pair | $2,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #128 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #120 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 40.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | about 35.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Enclosure | 2-way, rear-ported | 2-way passive/bi-amplified, dual front ports |
| Drivers | 1.1” beryllium-dome tweeter, 6.5” magnesium-alloy woofer | 1” compression driver, 8” woofer |
| Dimensions | 15.4H x 9.1W x 14.3D in | 17.2H x 9.8W x 11.5D in |
| Weight | 35.3 lbs (16 kg) each | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 88.7dB measured | 90dB (1W/1m) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms nominal |
| Country | China | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.50 | 4.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.57 | 6.21 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) | 43.9Hz (measured active-mode, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 108dB continuous, 114dB peak |
| Amplifier Power | - | External Crown DCI amplifier and JBL DSP required for measured active configuration |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 (measured by Audio Science Review) and JBL 708i (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL 708i:
- KEF R3 Meta vs JBL 708i
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs JBL 708i
- KEF R3 vs JBL 708i
- Wharfedale Super Linton vs JBL 708i
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 vs JBL 708i
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2: $2,099 per pair Aoshida Audio $2,099 eBay
Pros: A substantial 6.5-inch standmount with unusually high measured sensitivity of 88.7dB. ASR’s Klippel data shows excellent sound-power smoothness of 0.125 and a well-damped bass alignment Q of 0.69, with useful in-room extension estimated at 43Hz. Measured bass extension of 105.5Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.7dB.
Cons: The response tilts upward by 0.37dB per octave, so it will sound bright, and predicted in-room smoothness is a poor 0.16. At $2099/pair it is expensive for a little-known direct-sale brand, and each unusually deep cabinet weighs 35.3 lb.
Full Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 40.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Country | China |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.4H x 9.1W x 14.3D in |
| Drivers | 1.1” beryllium-dome tweeter, 6.5” magnesium-alloy woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way, rear-ported |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 88.7dB measured |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.50 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.57 |
| Weight | 35.3 lbs (16 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 vs Natural Sound NS17
- Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 vs KEF R3
- Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 vs KEF R3 Meta
JBL 708i: $2,998 per pair B&H Photo Video $1,499.00 eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR6332 (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5). See every JBL 7 Series generation.
Same family: the JBL 705P (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.9/5) and the JBL 708P (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: High-output 8-inch professional monitor with JBL’s compression driver and Image Control Waveguide. In JBL’s intended bi-amplified Crown DCI/DSP configuration, ASR data shows 39Hz extension, controlled roughly +/-50-degree horizontal coverage and a 6.21 preference score with a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: This is not self-powered: achieving the measured active-mode response requires compatible external amplification and JBL processing, adding substantial cost and complexity. On-axis smoothness (0.241), predicted in-room smoothness (0.198) and a 4.33 raw preference score are modest for the system price.
Full JBL 708i review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | External Crown DCI amplifier and JBL DSP required for measured active configuration |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 35.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured active-mode, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 17.2H x 9.8W x 11.5D in |
| Drivers | 1” compression driver, 8” woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way passive/bi-amplified, dual front ports |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB continuous, 114dB peak |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (1W/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.21 |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons