Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic, because the JBL One Series 104 leans on heavy EQ. The JBL’s amplifier EQ compensates for otherwise poor raw driver measurements, but measuring the passive drivers alone showed “no bass, no low mids, and highly irregular highs,” which the reviewer called a disaster. The A5+ has its own flaw: a valley in the upper bass (200-400Hz) recesses that range, and a distortion peak shows up around 800-900Hz at 86dB SPL.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL One Series 104 is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | JBL One Series 104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $129 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #28 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #64 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave) |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | 4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| DSP | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | - |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | 1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399.00 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The analog powered pair is straightforward to use without an external amplifier. The measured result supports a more capable tonal balance than its former low position suggested. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments. The existing review reports crossover-region directivity errors and a distortion feature around 800-900Hz. The score does not make it a reference monitor, and adding a subwoofer cannot correct those midrange and off-axis issues.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
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JBL One Series 104: $129 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: ASR’s powered-system measurement gives -3dB bass around 72Hz, and the compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desk. Its internal equalization is part of the working speaker and should be included when assessing it, rather than judging the passive drivers with that correction bypassed. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Even with the active system measured properly, scores are only 1.36 standalone and 4.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The 4.9dB midrange span and a high-frequency cancellation around 7.4kHz indicate significant unevenness; the review also found some vocals bright and irritating. These are results for the original 104, not a verification of the later 104-BT. Discontinued.
Full JBL One Series 104 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Drivers | 4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave) |
| XLR Input | No |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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