Short answer: the Genelec G Five. It ranks #60 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $4,390. The JBL 708P ranks #64, rated 4.2/5, at $3,798, $592 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Why pick the Genelec G Five: The largest G Series home speaker, based on Genelec’s 8050 studio monitor: an 8” woofer and 1” metal-dome tweeter on a Directivity Control Waveguide, with 150W for bass and 120W for treble. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL 708P lacks. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Genelec 8050B it is based on.
What the JBL 708P does well: Erin’s measurements give 43.9Hz -3dB extension and a 6.91 ideal-subwoofer score, with useful bass from a professional active monitor. The catch: The 2.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes audible-relevance irregularities, with port-region features and vertical crossover sensitivity.
Buy the Genelec G Five. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $592 you would save on the JBL 708P does not close the gap.
About the ratings: the Genelec G Five’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.0 to 4.6, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec G Five | JBL 708P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,390 per pair | $3,798 per pair |
| Ranked | #60 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #64 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Drivers | 8” (205mm) woofer, 1” (25mm) metal dome tweeter | 8” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| Amplifier Power | 270W (150W woofer + 120W tweeter) | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB), 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (manufacturer specified) | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB short-term @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 17.8” (452 mm) H x 286mm W x 278mm D (with Iso-Pod) | 17.2”H x 9.8”W x 11.5”D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs (14.4 kg) each | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble room switches) | No |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| DSP | - | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.91 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Genelec G Five compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8340A vs Genelec G Five
- Genelec G Five vs Klipsch The Nines II
- Genelec 8050B vs JBL 708P
- JBL 4329P vs JBL 708P
- Neumann KH 310 A vs JBL 708P
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 G Five: $4,390 per pair Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Genelec G One (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5), the Genelec G Two (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.3/5), the Genelec G Three (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.5/5) and the Genelec G Four (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.2/5).
Pros: The largest G Series home speaker, based on Genelec’s 8050 studio monitor: an 8” woofer and 1” metal-dome tweeter on a Directivity Control Waveguide, with 150W for bass and 120W for treble. Bass reaches 38Hz (±2.5dB) and 32Hz (-6dB), deep enough for full-range music without a subwoofer, and it plays to 110dB short-term for large rooms. RCA and balanced XLR inputs and rear tone switches are included.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Genelec 8050B it is based on. It is large and heavy at 14.4kg each, there is no GLM room calibration, and it is a special-order item at some retailers.
Full Genelec G Five review and specifications →
| Released | May 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 270W (150W woofer + 120W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.8” (452 mm) H x 286mm W x 278mm D (with Iso-Pod) |
| Drivers | 8” (205mm) woofer, 1” (25mm) metal dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble room switches) |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB), 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB short-term @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs (14.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 708P: $3,798 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR6328P (ranked higher, rated 4.6/5). See every JBL 7 Series generation.
Same family: the JBL 705P (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.9/5) and the JBL 708i (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: Erin’s measurements give 43.9Hz -3dB extension and a 6.91 ideal-subwoofer score, with useful bass from a professional active monitor. The waveguide and onboard processing make it a practical choice for a carefully installed studio system. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes audible-relevance irregularities, with port-region features and vertical crossover sensitivity. High-level distortion remains a constraint. Its professional positioning and amplifier power do not make it automatically more neutral than the cheaper JBL 308P MKII. A port resonance adds a mild rise around 600 to 900Hz, and vertical dispersion is narrower than horizontal, so stay within a few degrees of the tweeter axis.
Full JBL 708P review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.91 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons