Short answer: the Genelec 8020D for better sound quality, the JBL One Series 104 for the lower price. The Genelec 8020D ranks #6 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $1100. The JBL One Series 104 ranks #62 at $129, $971 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8020D offers: Klippel-based spinorama measurements show a flat, well-behaved on-axis response from about 60Hz to 10kHz, with listening-window and early-reflections curves tracking closely together - a sign of well-controlled directivity. Horizontal directivity holds tight out to about ±30 degrees before starting to narrow. Applying EQ correction visibly closes the gap between the on-axis and predicted in-room curves, raising the calculated on-axis preference score from 5.4 to 6.4 and the in-room score from 5.6 to 6.6 - a straightforward, worthwhile tuning target for anyone using it with room correction. Watch for: Sound power rolls off starting around 500Hz-1kHz as the small 4.1” woofer/tweeter pair begins to beam, a typical trait of small nearfield monitors at this price. Off-axis response (measured out to 90 degrees) narrows noticeably above 1kHz, so off-center listening loses top-end energy. High price for the driver size.
What the JBL One Series 104 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.”
Buy the Genelec 8020D 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 the JBL One Series 104. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8020D | JBL One Series 104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1100 | $129 |
| Ranked | #6 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #62 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9.5"H x 5.8"W x 5.6"D (241.3 x 147.3 x 142.2 mm) | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Frequency Response | 56 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | - |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs / 3.2 kg each | 4.5 lbs / 2.06 kg (master), 3.8 lbs / 1.73 kg (slave) |
| Drivers | 4.1" woofer, 0.75" metal dome tweeter | 4.5" coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75" soft dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, desk proximity) | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| Max SPL | 103dB @ 1m | - |
| Output Power | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| DSP | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Edifier S1000W vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Adam Audio A4V
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Yamaha HS8
- Edifier MR4 vs Genelec 8020D
- Genelec 8020D vs Edifier R1280T
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8020D: $1100 Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: Klippel-based spinorama measurements show a flat, well-behaved on-axis response from about 60Hz to 10kHz, with listening-window and early-reflections curves tracking closely together - a sign of well-controlled directivity. Horizontal directivity holds tight out to about ±30 degrees before starting to narrow. Applying EQ correction visibly closes the gap between the on-axis and predicted in-room curves, raising the calculated on-axis preference score from 5.4 to 6.4 and the in-room score from 5.6 to 6.6 - a straightforward, worthwhile tuning target for anyone using it with room correction.
Cons: Sound power rolls off starting around 500Hz-1kHz as the small 4.1” woofer/tweeter pair begins to beam, a typical trait of small nearfield monitors at this price. Off-axis response (measured out to 90 degrees) narrows noticeably above 1kHz, so off-center listening loses top-end energy. High price for the driver size.
Full Genelec 8020D review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 9.5"H x 5.8"W x 5.6"D (241.3 x 147.3 x 142.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.1" woofer, 0.75" metal dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, desk proximity) |
| Frequency Response | 56 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 103dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs / 3.2 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS5 Soun & Frequency Response Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KEF LSX vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Adam Audo T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D & KRK Rokit 5 G4 PR5G4 - Same, same, but different Sound & Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Genelec 8020D Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL One Series 104: $129 Amazon eBay
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) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL One Series 104 vs NHT Pro M-00
- JBL One Series 104 vs Audioengine HD4
- JBL One Series 104 vs Kali Audio IN-UNF
- JBL One Series 104 vs Edifier R1700BT
- JBL One Series 104 vs Edifier S1000MKII
- JBL One Series 104 vs Edifier S1000W
- JBL One Series 104 vs Dynaudio LYD 5
- JBL One Series 104 vs Pioneer DJ VM-50
- See all 41 comparisons