Short answer: the JBL 4305P for compact full-range reach, if you can live with its limiter. Erin measured a 45Hz F3 and heard solid 40-50Hz in-room extension, excellent for a compact 5.25-inch active monitor. The limiter becomes conspicuous around 96dB, losing about 8dB near 50Hz at the highest drive and reaching roughly 93dB unweighted at 2m in-room. The Genelec 8040B is very expensive.
What the Genelec 8040B gets right: Based on the smaller sibling’s measured performance against others, it is ranked accordingly. The catch: Very expensive.
Buy the JBL 4305P. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Genelec 8040B is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8040B | JBL 4305P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,790 per pair Discontinued | $1,499.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #33 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 14.4”H x 9.3”W x 8.8”D (365.8 x 236.2 x 223.5 mm) | 13.2H x 8.3W x 8.8D inches |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR/TRS combo, 3.5mm Aux, Optical, USB-B, Ethernet |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) each | Primary 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg), Secondary 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer | 5.25-inch pulp woofer; 1-inch annular compression driver |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 5.1 |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 180w Per Speaker | 300W system: 125W LF + 25W HF per speaker |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 40.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Maximum SPL | - | ~93dB at 2m in-room before limiting (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.44 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.45 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL 4305P:
- Genelec 8351B vs JBL 4305P
- Neumann KH420 vs JBL 4305P
- Genelec 8361A vs JBL 4305P
- JBL 4305P vs Genelec 8341A
- Neumann KH 150 vs JBL 4305P
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8040B: $2,790 per pair Discontinued B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the Genelec 8340A. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet. It uses the same cabinet and woofer size, adding GLM room calibration and an AES/EBU digital input.
Pros: A compact professional monitor with balanced XLR input and analog room-adjustment controls. The manufacturer’s 41Hz limit is specified at -6dB, offering a useful reference for system planning without confusing it with a measured -3dB point.
Cons: It lacks GLM calibration and consumer streaming inputs. The balanced XLR connection may require an interface or controller for a typical desktop source. It is expensive. Discontinued.
Full Genelec 8040B review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 180w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 14.4”H x 9.3”W x 8.8”D (365.8 x 236.2 x 223.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 4305P: $1,499.99 per pair Amazon JBL eBay
Pros: The measured 1.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, with a 7.45 ideal-subwoofer score and 45.4Hz -3dB bass extension. Integrated consumer connectivity makes this a more convenient living-room system than many studio monitors. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Crossover-region directivity changes mean the narrow on-axis span does not describe every listening angle. Limiting becomes relevant at high output, particularly with bass-heavy music. It suits near- to midfield listening better than the largest high-output systems here. Erin measured about 8dB lost near 50Hz at the highest drive level and reached roughly 93dB unweighted at 2m in-room.
Full JBL 4305P review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 300W system: 125W LF + 25W HF per speaker |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.1 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.2H x 8.3W x 8.8D inches |
| Drivers | 5.25-inch pulp woofer; 1-inch annular compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo, 3.5mm Aux, Optical, USB-B, Ethernet |
| Maximum SPL | ~93dB at 2m in-room before limiting (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.44 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.45 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | Primary 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg), Secondary 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons