Short answer: the JBL 708i. It ranks #123 of 223 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $2,998. The Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 ranks #133, 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: Substantial standmount speakers with a beryllium tweeter, fairly high sensitivity and good bass extension for a 6.5 inch woofer. 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. A high-output 8 inch professional monitor with a compression driver and waveguide, designed to run bi-amplified with JBL processing. 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.
Substantial standmount speakers with a beryllium tweeter, fairly high sensitivity and good bass extension for a 6.5 inch woofer.
A high-output 8 inch professional monitor with a compression driver and waveguide, designed to run bi-amplified with JBL processing.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Aoshida Audio Musician Knight I V2 | JBL 708i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,099 per pair | $2,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #133 of 223 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #123 of 223 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.
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