Short answer: the JBL 705P for better sound quality, the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE for the lower price. The JBL 705P ranks #22 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $1998. The HEDD Type 05 A-CORE ranks #23 at $699, $1299 cheaper.
What the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE offers: AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter paired with a 5” Honeycomb-compound woofer, hand-assembled and individually tested in Berlin. The tradeoff: On-axis deviation is the roughest of this batch, and normalized on-axis and listening-window smoothness both trail most other speakers added here - a comparatively less linear response than its stablemates.
On the JBL 705P side: CEA2034 spinorama shows flat response with excellent directivity, similar to its larger 708P sibling. The catch: A cancellation around 750Hz (likely port-related) and a bit of boosted response at the 1.75kHz crossover show up in the on-axis curve.
Buy the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the JBL 705P if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| HEDD Type 05 A-CORE | JBL 705P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $1998 |
| Ranked | #23 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | RCA unbalanced, XLR/TRS combo balanced | - |
| Drivers | AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, 5" Honeycomb-compound woofer | 5" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver |
| App | None (analog-only, no DSP) | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes, analog High/Low shelving, ±6dB continuous | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg (13.7 lb) each | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg each |
| Output Power | 200W total, bi-amped (2x100W ICEpower Class D) | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Dimensions | 12.1" x 7.1" x 9.6" (308 x 180 x 245 mm) (12.1 x 7.1 x 9.7 in) each | 10.6"H x 5.9"W x 10.8"D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 50kHz | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 112dB per pair at 1m | - |
| DSP | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
HEDD Type 05 A-CORE: $699 Bhphotovideo
Pros: AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter paired with a 5” Honeycomb-compound woofer, hand-assembled and individually tested in Berlin. Pure-analog signal path with no ADC/DAC or DSP dependency, so there’s zero digital latency and no firmware to keep updated. Deepest measured bass extension relative to size in this whole batch: 43.9Hz at -3dB / 37.1Hz at -10dB. Bi-amped 200W total (2x100W ICEpower Class D). 5-year warranty after registration.
Cons: On-axis deviation is the roughest of this batch (aad_on_axis 0.658), and both nbd_on_axis (0.456) and nbd_listening_window (0.404) trail most other speakers added here - a comparatively less linear response than its stablemates. The analog-only design means no room-correction DSP or digital I/O, a deliberate tradeoff versus HEDD’s pricier DSP-based Type 05 MK2 sibling. Sold individually at $714/unit ($1,428/pair).
Full HEDD Type 05 A-CORE review and specifications →
| App | None (analog-only, no DSP) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 12.1" x 7.1" x 9.6" (308 x 180 x 245 mm) (12.1 x 7.1 x 9.7 in) each |
| Drivers | AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, 5" Honeycomb-compound woofer |
| EQ | Yes, analog High/Low shelving, ±6dB continuous |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 50kHz |
| Inputs | RCA unbalanced, XLR/TRS combo balanced |
| Max SPL | 112dB per pair at 1m |
| Output Power | 200W total, bi-amped (2x100W ICEpower Class D) |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg (13.7 lb) each |
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JBL 705P: $1998 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows flat response with excellent directivity, similar to its larger 708P sibling. Bi-amplified 500W design (250W woofer, 250W compression driver) into a 5” woofer and JBL’s 2409H compression tweeter.
Cons: A cancellation around 750Hz (likely port-related) and a bit of boosted response at the 1.75kHz crossover show up in the on-axis curve. Sits right around the ear’s most sensitive hearing range near 100Hz, so that region is partially audible even at modest levels.
Full JBL 705P review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6"H x 5.9"W x 10.8"D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 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