Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic for better sound quality, the JBL One Series 104 for the lower price. The Audioengine A5+ Classic ranks #33 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers at $399. The JBL One Series 104 ranks #40 at $129, $270 cheaper.
The case for the Audioengine A5+ Classic: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat response outside of the upper bass. The tradeoff: A valley in the upper bass (200-400Hz) recesses that range, and a distortion peak shows up around 800-900Hz even at 86dB SPL.
What the JBL One Series 104 gets right: Heavy internal EQ from the amplifier meaningfully compensates for otherwise poor raw driver measurements. The catch: Measuring the passive drivers alone (bypassing the amplifier’s EQ) showed “no bass, no low mids, and highly irregular highs” - a disaster by the reviewer’s description.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL One Series 104 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 42 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | JBL One Series 104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $129 |
| Ranked | #33 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #40 of 42 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 |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat response outside of the upper bass. Internal Class AB amplification (50W RMS, 75W peak) with a linear power supply drives a 5” Kevlar woofer and 0.75” tweeter.
Cons: A valley in the upper bass (200-400Hz) recesses that range, and a distortion peak shows up around 800-900Hz even at 86dB SPL. Off-axis response doesn’t track the on-axis curve well through the crossover, suggesting the waveguide isn’t fully optimized. Resonances appear at 900Hz and 4.4kHz.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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) |
| Output Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg (left/powered), 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg (right) |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL One Series 104: $129 Amazon
Pros: Heavy internal EQ from the amplifier meaningfully compensates for otherwise poor raw driver measurements, and casual listening on undemanding content sounded like a scaled-down JBL 305P Mark II - well above typical computer-speaker quality for the price. Solid build quality for a $90-130 powered pair with dual built-in amplifiers.
Cons: Measuring the passive drivers alone (bypassing the amplifier’s EQ) showed “no bass, no low mids, and highly irregular highs” - a disaster by the reviewer’s description. Even with the amplifier’s correction applied, there’s an on-axis cancellation around 7.4kHz from the coaxial driver design, and JBL’s own published frequency-response graph uses a compressed 95dB vertical scale that hides real deviations the reviewer’s 50dB-scale CEA-2034 measurement reveals. Female vocals and “lisping” content became bright and annoying; the reviewer’s verdict was “can’t recommend it though if you want a true hi-fi experience.”
Full JBL One Series 104 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| 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) |
| 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) |
| Output Power | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs / 2.06 kg (master), 3.8 lbs / 1.73 kg (slave) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL One Series 104 vs NHT Pro M-00
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