Short answer: the Genelec 8350A, if you are buying new. The Genelec 8050B measures as well as the JBL 308P MKII (#39 vs #34 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 deeper-bass pick. 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 42.5Hz for the JBL 308P MKII. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL 308P MKII lacks. The tradeoff: A 2.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a dip around 2kHz keep it below the strongest tonal performers.
What the JBL 308P MKII does well: A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.69 ideal-subwoofer score support unusually good tonal balance for an accessible studio monitor. Watch for: Amplifier hiss may be noticeable in quiet, close-range use.
Buy the Genelec 8350A, the replacement for the discontinued Genelec 8050B; it is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 308P MKII.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8050B | JBL 308P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,390 per pair Discontinued | $298 per pair |
| Ranked | #39 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 42.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 37.6Hz (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) | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs (14.4 kg) each | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer | 8” 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 | - | 5.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.69 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL 308P MKII compares with other leading options:
- AsciLab C8C vs JBL 308P MKII
- Mesanovic CDM65 vs JBL 308P MKII
- JBL 308P MKII vs Genelec 8351B
- JBL 308P MKII vs Neumann KH420
- Genelec 8361A vs JBL 308P MKII
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 308P MKII: $298 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR308 (ranked lower, estimated 4.2/5).
Same family: the JBL 305P MKII (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the JBL 306P MKII (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.69 ideal-subwoofer score support unusually good tonal balance for an accessible studio monitor. Measured -3dB extension of 42.5Hz supplies useful musical bass, and the waveguide helps maintain consistent horizontal coverage. Measured bass extension of 42.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Amplifier hiss may be noticeable in quiet, close-range use. Bass distortion and output limits matter when playing loudly, despite the 8-inch woofer. Keep the tweeter near ear height; vertical crossover behavior is less forgiving than the best coaxial designs. A resonance around 18kHz and a slight dip around 1.4kHz.
Full JBL 308P MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 112W total |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons