Short answer: the Genelec 8350A, if you are buying new. The Genelec 8050B ranks higher than the JBL 306P MKII (#39 vs #67 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Genelec 8350A, is rated 4.5/5 at $5,550 and is still sold new.
The Genelec 8050B is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Measured -3dB extension of 35.2Hz gives the 8050B deeper native bass than many similarly ranked monitors. Its bass reaches about 35.2Hz before falling 3dB, against 46.9Hz for the JBL 306P MKII. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL 306P MKII lacks. Watch for: A 2.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a dip around 2kHz keep it below the strongest tonal performers.
What the JBL 306P MKII does well: A 6.94 ideal-subwoofer score and 46.9Hz measured -3dB extension make this a useful affordable nearfield monitor. The tradeoff: The 3.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz is less even than the JBL 308P MKII’s, with midrange resonances affecting neutrality.
Buy the Genelec 8350A, the replacement for the discontinued Genelec 8050B; it is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 306P MKII.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8050B | JBL 306P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,390 per pair Discontinued | $238 per pair |
| Ranked | #39 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #67 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Dimensions | 17.8”H x 11.3”W x 10.9”D (452.1 x 287 x 276.9 mm) | 16.1”H x 11.2”W x 12.9”D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs (14.4 kg) each | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer | 6.5” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 270w Per Speaker | 112W total |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.94 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Genelec 8050B:
- Genelec 8050B vs Genelec 8351B
- Neumann KH420 vs Genelec 8050B
- Genelec 8361A vs Genelec 8050B
- Genelec 8050B vs Genelec 8341A
- Genelec 8050B vs Neumann KH 150
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8050B: $4,390 per pair Discontinued B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the Genelec 8350A, ranked higher, estimated 4.5/5. It uses the same cabinet and woofer size, adding GLM room calibration and an AES/EBU digital input.
Same family: the Genelec 8010A (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.5/5), the Genelec 8020D (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.4/5), the Genelec 8030C (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.6/5) and the Genelec 8040B (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: Measured -3dB extension of 35.2Hz gives the 8050B deeper native bass than many similarly ranked monitors. The 6.49 ideal-subwoofer score supports broadly balanced listening, with a waveguide and analog boundary controls for practical studio placement. Measured bass extension of 35.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A 2.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a dip around 2kHz keep it below the strongest tonal performers. Port-related response features and high-level distortion also warrant attention. Unlike the SAM models, it does not provide GLM room calibration. Discontinued.
Full Genelec 8050B review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 270w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.8”H x 11.3”W x 10.9”D (452.1 x 287 x 276.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs (14.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 306P MKII: $238 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the JBL 305P MKII (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the JBL 308P MKII (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: A 6.94 ideal-subwoofer score and 46.9Hz measured -3dB extension make this a useful affordable nearfield monitor. The waveguide supports broad horizontal listening coverage, and basic boundary controls help with setup. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz is less even than the JBL 308P MKII’s, with midrange resonances affecting neutrality. Hiss can matter at a quiet desk, while bass distortion limits demanding playback. A subwoofer improves bandwidth but does not remove the midrange irregularities. A narrow dip around 1.6kHz shows in the on-axis and listening-window curves.
Full JBL 306P MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 112W total |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1”H x 11.2”W x 12.9”D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.94 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons