Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII on value, the Genelec 8330A for bass extension. The 305P MKII is a fantastic value, extremely close to the Focal Alpha 50 EVO and almost indistinguishable, though its amps may hiss at low levels and the rear port can be an issue near walls. The 8330A’s enclosure and waveguide deliver a measured 55.7Hz extension point, though its 0.324dB average on-axis deviation is rougher than several similarly priced monitors.
What the Genelec 8330A gets right: Sits between the compact 8320A and the larger 8331A in Genelec’s SAM lineup, with a die cast aluminum Minimum Diffraction Enclosure and Directivity Control Waveguide that deliver a measured 55.7Hz extension point, well beyond the 8320A’s smaller cabinet. The tradeoff: On axis deviation measures 0.324dB average, rougher than several similarly priced monitors in this catalog, and listening window smoothness sits at a moderate 0.38.
Buy the Genelec 8330A if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL 305P MKII if the price matters more than sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8330A | JBL 305P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,250 per pair | $289.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | 0.75” metal dome tweeter, 5.1” cone woofer | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 11.8”H x 7.4”W x 7”D (299 x 189 x 178 mm) | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.1”D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm) |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg) each | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) | 81w Per Speaker |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-23kHz -6dB | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) | - |
| Country | Finland | - |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.54 | 5.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.79 | 7.52 |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU | XLR, TRS |
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Sensitivity | - | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Genelec 8330A compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8331A vs Genelec 8330A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8330A
- Genelec 8030C vs Genelec 8330A
- Genelec 8330A vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Genelec 8330A
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 PM 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 8330A: $2,250 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s measurements give a 2.3dB midrange response span and a -3dB point around 56Hz. Scores of 5.54 standalone and 7.79 with an ideal subwoofer indicate solid tonal accuracy, while deeper bass than the 8320A helps without a sub. GLM calibration, the waveguide and rounded aluminum enclosure make it a practical compact studio system. Measured bass extension of 55.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The listening-window response has more local variation than the 8030C or KH80 in the selected measurements, so DSP capability should not be mistaken for superior native neutrality. GLM calibration hardware costs extra. Small-driver bass headroom remains finite, and neither the modeled ideal-subwoofer score nor the fitted bass Q establishes maximum output or freedom from resonances.
Full Genelec 8330A review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Finland |
| Dimensions | 11.8”H x 7.4”W x 7”D (299 x 189 x 178 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75” metal dome tweeter, 5.1” cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.79 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 305P MKII: $289.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data gives 5.38 standalone and 7.52 with an ideal subwoofer, with bass reaching -3dB around 51Hz. Broad horizontal coverage and reasonably smooth reflected sound support stable imaging across a desk. The existing review reports effective limiting and little sustained thermal compression, making it a strong budget-monitor option rather than just a speaker with a promising frequency curve. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 91.1dB.
Cons: The 3.3dB midrange span and rising response show it is not perfectly neutral. A port-related feature around 1.6kHz and some excess treble can be audible; the review recommends the treble-trim switch. Vertical crossover interference makes ear height important. Amplifier hiss may matter in very quiet nearfield use, and rear-port placement needs room-boundary adjustment.
Full JBL 305P MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 81w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.1”D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: LIVE! JBL 305P MkII Powered Studio Monitor Review
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Yamaha HS5 6-Track Comparison
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- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frquency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs PreSonus Eris E5 6-Track Comparison
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
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