Short answer: the Genelec 8050B for better sound quality, the JBL 4305P for the lower price. The Genelec 8050B ranks #8 of 31 powered bookshelf speakers at $3800. The JBL 4305P ranks #13 at $2200, $1600 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8050B offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a very good on-axis response with excellent directivity. Watch for: A dip around 2kHz shows up in both the on-axis and predicted in-room measurements.
What the JBL 4305P offers: Erin measured a 45Hz F3 and heard solid 40–50Hz in-room extension—excellent for a compact 5.25-inch active monitor. Watch for: The limiter becomes conspicuous around 96dB: Erin measured about 8dB lost near 50Hz at the highest drive and achieved roughly 93dB unweighted at 2m in-room, so this is a near/midfield system rather than a high-output theater…
Buy the Genelec 8050B if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL 4305P if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8050B | JBL 4305P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3800 | $2,200/pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 11.3"W x 10.9"D (452.1 x 287 x 276.9 mm) | 13.2H x 8.3W x 8.8D inches |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | - |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs / 14.4 kg each | - |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 5.25-inch pulp woofer; 1-inch annular compression driver |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 270w Per Speaker | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Maximum Output | - | ~93dB at 2m in-room before limiting (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Amplification | - | 300W system: 125W LF + 25W HF per speaker |
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- Genelec 8040B vs Buchardt A10
- Genelec 8040B vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Genelec 8040B vs Genelec 8050B
- Buchardt A500 vs JBL 4305P
The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8050B: $3800 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a very good on-axis response with excellent directivity. Predicted in-room response is smooth, with only a 2kHz dip as a real issue. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±50 degrees is very smooth and well controlled. Vertical directivity is similarly even outside the 2kHz region, as long as listening position stays within about ±20 degrees of the woofer’s border. Distortion at 96dB SPL/1m is typical low-frequency behavior with the rest of the range well controlled.
Cons: A dip around 2kHz shows up in both the on-axis and predicted in-room measurements. An unexplained distortion spike appears around 10-15kHz at 96dB SPL/1m that the reviewer couldn’t identify a clear cause for. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows a port resonance lingering in the upper-bass/lower-midrange region. Very expensive.
Full Genelec 8050B review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 270w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs / 14.4 kg each |
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JBL 4305P: $2,200/pair Amazon JBL
Pros: Erin measured a 45Hz F3 and heard solid 40–50Hz in-room extension—excellent for a compact 5.25-inch active monitor. Tonality is neutral and non-fatiguing, vocal coloration is absent, imaging is precise, and the HDI horn maintains near-constant horizontal directivity above 2kHz. Each speaker is bi-amplified (125W LF + 25W HF), while USB, optical, balanced analog, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth and 24/192 wired interconnect make this an unusually complete system. Grilles caused no meaningful response penalty.
Cons: The limiter becomes conspicuous around 96dB: Erin measured about 8dB lost near 50Hz at the highest drive and achieved roughly 93dB unweighted at 2m in-room, so this is a near/midfield system rather than a high-output theater speaker. A baffle discontinuity produces a 1–2kHz directivity mismatch that cannot be corrected uniformly in the vertical plane; stay within about +/-5° of tweeter height. Soundstage depth and layering trailed the KEF Reference 1 Meta, and wireless speaker linking caps resolution at 24/96.
Full JBL 4305P review and specifications →
| Amplification | 300W system: 125W LF + 25W HF per speaker |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.2H x 8.3W x 8.8D inches |
| Drivers | 5.25-inch pulp woofer; 1-inch annular compression driver |
| Maximum Output | ~93dB at 2m in-room before limiting (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons