Short answer: the JBL 4319 for output, the B&W 805S for cabinet-size bass, though neither ranks well in its class. The 4319’s roughly 90dB sensitivity and controlled bass distortion let its 12-inch woofer play loud with copious bass on modest power, though its spinorama shows a pronounced 800Hz dip, comb filtering and poor vertical directivity. The 805S is strong for its size, but directivity breaks down badly from 1kHz to 3kHz, leaving vocals recessed and masked without EQ. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 141 bookshelf speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the March Audio Sointuva AWG instead, ranked #5 at $4,150.
Buy the B&W 805S only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the March Audio Sointuva AWG instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&W 805S | JBL 4319 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,500 per pair Discontinued | $4,000 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #121 of 141 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #135 of 141 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 37.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5” woven Kevlar cone mid/bass | 12” Differential Drive dual-voice-coil woofer, 5” inverted-dome midrange, 1” compression tweeter (3-way) |
| Dimensions | 16.5H x 9.4W x 13.8D in | 23.5H x 14.25W x 12D in (with grille) |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each | 35.9 lbs (16.3 kg) each |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 22kHz +/-3dB (-6dB at 42Hz and 50kHz) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum) | 6 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 50-120W | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.12 | 4.41 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.07 | 6.61 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
B&W 805S: $2,500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the B&W 805 D4, ranked higher, estimated 3.2/5.
Pros: Bass and dynamic performance are strong for the cabinet size, playing very loud with well-controlled bass distortion. Horizontal beamwidth stays reasonably smooth through -6dB. Build quality has enough of a “quality feel” that the reviewer said it kept the speaker from the lowest possible rating. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows directivity breaking down badly starting around 1kHz and staying poor to 3kHz: a wide crossover-region flaw the reviewer called “clearly flawed execution” that leaves vocals sounding recessed and masked without EQ correction. A high 4kHz crossover point appears to leave the tweeter’s small sub-enclosure resonating audibly during playback. Discontinued, superseded by the 805 Diamond/805 D4 series.
Full B&W 805S review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5H x 9.4W x 13.8D in |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5” woven Kevlar cone mid/bass |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 22kHz +/-3dB (-6dB at 42Hz and 50kHz) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum) |
| Power Handling | 50-120W |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.07 |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 4319: $4,000 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: High sensitivity around 90dB and controlled bass distortion mean the large 12” woofer plays loud with copious bass and modest amplifier power needs. Impedance dips are well controlled, so it isn’t a hard speaker to drive despite its size. User-adjustable midrange and treble level controls are built into the back panel. Measured bass extension of 58.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.5dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows a pronounced 800Hz dip and a comb-filtering pattern in the woofer response consistent with a delayed reflected source, plus poor and uneven vertical directivity. The reviewer described the sound as “boxy and closed in with some brightness” and could not recommend it “unless you like looking at it more than listening to it.” At 23.5” tall, it’s closer to a small tower than a typical bookshelf speaker. Discontinued.
Full JBL 4319 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 23.5H x 14.25W x 12D in (with grille) |
| Drivers | 12” Differential Drive dual-voice-coil woofer, 5” inverted-dome midrange, 1” compression tweeter (3-way) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.41 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.61 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 35.9 lbs (16.3 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons