Short answer: the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor. It ranks #56 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $15,000 and is still sold new; the Focal Twin6 Be ranks #101 (rated 3.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Focal Twin6 Be’s replacement, the Focal ST6 Twin6, is rated 3.8/5.
What the Focal Twin6 Be does well: The dual-woofer arrangement offers useful output capability for studio work, with a 48.3Hz measured -3dB point in the horizontal test. The catch: The horizontal measurement scores 6.06 with an ideal subwoofer and spans 2.9dB from 300Hz to 5kHz.
The JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A high-output specialist: Erin’s low-distortion and compression tests support considerable dynamic capability, beyond what a single preference score captures. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.74 against 4.04 for the Focal Twin6 Be. Its bass reaches about 34Hz before falling 3dB, against 48.3Hz for the Focal Twin6 Be. The catch: Its 4.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.58 ideal-subwoofer score do not support a top tonal-accuracy ranking.
Buy the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Focal Twin6 Be is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Twin6 Be | JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $15,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #101 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #56 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension | 40Hz manufacturer specified; Erin measured strong low-frequency linearity | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 21.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” inverted beryllium tweeter; dual 6.5” W-cone drivers | 15” 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide |
| Amplifier Power | 150W LF + 100W LF/MF + 100W HF | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR with +4dBu/-10dBV sensitivity | None (passive cabinet driven by a matched Crown amplifier via speaker-level connection) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 | 5.74 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.06 | 6.58 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 19.7” x 13.4” (250 x 500 x 340 mm) (H x W x D) | 49.4”H x 20”W x 14”D (1256 x 508 x 355.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 48.5 lbs (22 kg) | 130.1 lbs (59 kg) each |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 800Hz active DSP |
| Maximum SPL | - | 123dB manufacturer specified |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Twin6 Be Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Focal ST6 Twin6, ranked lower, estimated 3.8/5.
Pros: The dual-woofer arrangement offers useful output capability for studio work, with a 48.3Hz measured -3dB point in the horizontal test. Its professional controls and format can suit a dedicated monitoring installation. Measured bass extension of 48.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The horizontal measurement scores 6.06 with an ideal subwoofer and spans 2.9dB from 300Hz to 5kHz. Off-axis variation limits tonal consistency across listening positions. Orientation matters, and neither the beryllium tweeter nor the additional woofer makes its measured balance class-leading. Erin suspected intermodulation-related roughness even though harmonic distortion measured low. Discontinued.
Full Focal Twin6 Be review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W LF + 100W LF/MF + 100W HF |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension | 40Hz manufacturer specified; Erin measured strong low-frequency linearity |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 19.7” x 13.4” (250 x 500 x 340 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” inverted beryllium tweeter; dual 6.5” W-cone drivers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR with +4dBu/-10dBV sensitivity |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.06 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 48.5 lbs (22 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
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JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor: $15,000 per pair JBL Professional Dealer Locator eBay
Pros: A high-output specialist: Erin’s low-distortion and compression tests support considerable dynamic capability, beyond what a single preference score captures. Measured -3dB extension is 33.7Hz. The large woofer and waveguide are particularly useful for greater listening distances. Measured bass extension of 34Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its 4.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.58 ideal-subwoofer score do not support a top tonal-accuracy ranking. It requires the correct external amplification and DSP rather than a simple built-in amplifier. The very large cabinet, installation cost and possible amplifier fan noise make it impractical for most desks.
Full JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Crossover Frequency | 800Hz active DSP |
| Dimensions | 49.4”H x 20”W x 14”D (1256 x 508 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 15” 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | None (passive cabinet driven by a matched Crown amplifier via speaker-level connection) |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB manufacturer specified |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.74 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.58 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 130.1 lbs (59 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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