Short answer: the Genelec 8050B. It ranks #8 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $3800; the JBL 708P ranks #20 and costs $4000, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Genelec 8050B side: CEA2034 spinorama shows a very good on-axis response with excellent directivity. Set against that: A dip around 2kHz shows up in both the on-axis and predicted in-room measurements.
What the JBL 708P gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows extremely good frequency response both on- and off-axis, with excellent horizontal directivity. The catch: A port resonance creates a mild rise around 600-900Hz.
Buy the Genelec 8050B. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL 708P and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8050B | JBL 708P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3800 | $4000 |
| Ranked | #8 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #20 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 11.3"W x 10.9"D (452.1 x 287 x 276.9 mm) | 17.2"H x 9.8"W x 11.5"D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | - |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs / 14.4 kg each | 25.1 lbs / 11.4 kg each |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 8" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 270w Per Speaker | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Genelec 8040B vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Buchardt A500 vs JBL 4329P
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs JBL 4305P
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Genelec 8050B
- Genelec 8050B vs Neumann KH 310 A
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 708P: $4000 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows extremely good frequency response both on- and off-axis, with excellent horizontal directivity. Bi-amplified 500W design (250W woofer, 250W compression driver) handles an 8” woofer and JBL’s 2409H compression tweeter.
Cons: A port resonance creates a mild rise around 600-900Hz. Vertical dispersion is narrower than horizontal, so staying within a few degrees of the tweeter axis matters. Distortion climbs at 96dB SPL, with the tweeter reaching about 2.5% THD at elevated levels.
Full JBL 708P review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.2"H x 9.8"W x 11.5"D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs / 11.4 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons