Short answer: the Dynaudio LYD 5 for better sound quality, the JBL One Series 104 for the lower price. The Dynaudio LYD 5 ranks #36 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers at $1000. The JBL One Series 104 ranks #40 at $129, $871 cheaper.
What the Dynaudio LYD 5 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with well-controlled low-frequency distortion. Watch for: A dip shows up around 1.64kHz on-axis, and the upper bass is boosted to compensate for a lack of real deep bass extension, giving a mild tubbiness.
The case for the JBL One Series 104: Heavy internal EQ from the amplifier meaningfully compensates for otherwise poor raw driver measurements. The tradeoff: 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 Dynaudio LYD 5 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
| Dynaudio LYD 5 | JBL One Series 104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1000 | $129 |
| Ranked | #36 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 | 10.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.3"D (260 x 170 x 211 mm) | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each | 4.5 lbs / 2.06 kg (master), 3.8 lbs / 1.73 kg (slave) |
| Drivers | 5" woofer, 28mm soft 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 | 100W total (50W LF, 50W HF) | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dynaudio LYD 5: $1000 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with well-controlled low-frequency distortion. Early reflections summation is smart engineering the reviewer called “pretty clever.” 100W total Class D amplification across a 5” woofer and 1” tweeter.
Cons: A dip shows up around 1.64kHz on-axis, and the upper bass is boosted to compensate for a lack of real deep bass extension, giving a mild tubbiness. Treble energy runs a bit hot, and the woofer beams around 4kHz, creating a directivity error there. Bass distortion exceeds acceptable levels above 1kHz at higher volumes. The reviewer said he’d personally reach for a JBL 305P MKII or Neumann KH80 DSP instead at this price.
Full Dynaudio LYD 5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.3"D (260 x 170 x 211 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" woofer, 28mm soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 100W total (50W LF, 50W HF) |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
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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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