Short answer: the Genelec 8050B. It ranks #8 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $3800; the JBL 4329P ranks #19 and costs $4500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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.
The case for the JBL 4329P: Genuinely full-range performance for a bookshelf-style speaker - anechoic response extends to 30Hz (measured F3 31Hz), reaching into the low 20s Hz range in-room depending on placement. The tradeoff: No HDMI input, a real drawback if you want to run these directly off a TV’s ARC.
Buy the Genelec 8050B. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL 4329P and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8050B | JBL 4329P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3800 | $4,500 |
| Ranked | #8 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #19 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 27Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 11.3"W x 10.9"D (452.1 x 287 x 276.9 mm) | 20.3"H x 12.6"W x 12.7"D |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 30Hz - 20kHz (anechoic, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | USB, Optical, Bluetooth, Analog, 3.5mm, AirPlay 2 |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs / 14.4 kg each | 34.5 lbs (primary), 34.3 lbs (secondary) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 8" midwoofer, 1" compression driver with JBL High-Definition Imaging horn |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 270w Per Speaker | - |
| Sensitivity | - | 102.2dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Neumann KH 310 A vs JBL 708P
- Buchardt A500 vs Buchardt A10
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Buchardt A500
- Genelec 8050B vs Neumann KH 310 A
- JBL 4329P vs JBL 708P
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 |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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 4329P: $4,500 Amazon
Pros: Genuinely full-range performance for a bookshelf-style speaker - anechoic response extends to 30Hz (measured F3 31Hz), reaching into the low 20s Hz range in-room depending on placement, with strong bass authority rather than a rolled-off, thin low end. Wide, constant horizontal directivity through the midrange and into the treble (about ±60°, wider than most horn-loaded designs which tend to run closer to ±40°) gives a wide, stable stereo image without needing to toe the speakers out and lose top-end energy. The reviewer listened for an hour-long sessions repeatedly without listener fatigue, across two very different rooms, with consistently great results in both. Extensive connectivity: USB, Optical, Bluetooth, analog, 3.5mm, AirPlay 2, and 24-bit/192kHz support; comes with a remote.
Cons: No HDMI input, a real drawback if you want to run these directly off a TV’s ARC. The supplied ethernet link cable between the two speakers is short - workable at close range but not long enough for wider speaker placement, so budget for a longer aftermarket cable if your setup needs it. A dip around 900Hz shows up in the on-axis measurement that the reviewer couldn’t fully explain (ruled out the ports as the cause, suspects cabinet edge diffraction), though it wasn’t something that bothered him in listening. At $4,500/pair, this is a serious investment for a bookshelf-format speaker.
Full JBL 4329P review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 27Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 20.3"H x 12.6"W x 12.7"D |
| Drivers | 8" midwoofer, 1" compression driver with JBL High-Definition Imaging horn |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (anechoic, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Bluetooth, Analog, 3.5mm, AirPlay 2 |
| Sensitivity | 102.2dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 34.5 lbs (primary), 34.3 lbs (secondary) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons