Short answer: the HEDD Type 20 MK2 for better sound quality, the JBL 4305P for the lower price. The HEDD Type 20 MK2 ranks #7 of 31 powered bookshelf speakers at $4800. The JBL 4305P ranks #13 at $2200, $2600 cheaper.
What the HEDD Type 20 MK2 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a nice flat on-axis response with a very smooth directivity index, plus an intentional boost at 40-50Hz for extra bass warmth. Watch for: Horizontal beamwidth is asymmetric (+60/-80 degrees depending on reference point) and narrows above 10kHz.
What the JBL 4305P offers: Erin measured a 45Hz F3 and heard solid 40–50Hz in-room extension—excellent for a compact 5.25-inch active monitor. Watch for: The limiter becomes conspicuous around 96dB: Erin measured about 8dB lost near 50Hz at the highest drive and achieved roughly 93dB unweighted at 2m in-room, so this is a near/midfield system rather than a high-output theater…
Buy the HEDD Type 20 MK2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL 4305P if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| HEDD Type 20 MK2 | JBL 4305P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4800 | $2,200/pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| App | Yes (HEDD CTRL) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 11"W x 13.3"D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) | 13.2H x 8.3W x 8.8D inches |
| DSP | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) | - |
| EQ | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) | - |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) | - |
| Max SPL | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) | - |
| Drivers | 7" honeycomb composite woofer, 4" honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter | 5.25-inch pulp woofer; 1-inch annular compression driver |
| Outputs | XLR (AES pass-through) | - |
| Weight | 34 lbs / 15.4 kg each | - |
| Output Power | 900W (3x300W) | - |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Maximum Output | - | ~93dB at 2m in-room before limiting (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Amplification | - | 300W system: 125W LF + 25W HF per speaker |
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- Genelec 8040B vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- JBL 4305P vs JBL 4329P
The Two Speakers In Full
HEDD Type 20 MK2: $4800 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a nice flat on-axis response with a very smooth directivity index, plus an intentional boost at 40-50Hz for extra bass warmth. Predicted in-room response is nice and smooth. Early reflections integrate very cleanly with the direct sound, rated “very nice” by the reviewer. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is very good, staying well below the reviewer’s audibility threshold across the range. Its open-port configuration measures notably lower bass distortion than the same speaker run in closed-port mode.
Cons: Horizontal beamwidth is asymmetric (+60/-80 degrees depending on reference point) and narrows above 10kHz. Vertical directivity means listening position needs to stay at or below the reference axis for accurate tonal balance. At 96dB SPL/1m, distortion rises broadly across the spectrum, exceeding the reviewer’s audibility threshold over a wide frequency range - a notably worse result than at 86dB. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows resonances lingering in the 500Hz-2kHz region. Switching to closed-port mode increases bass distortion further, so the open-port configuration is preferable.
Full HEDD Type 20 MK2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (HEDD CTRL) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 11"W x 13.3"D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 7" honeycomb composite woofer, 4" honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) |
| Max SPL | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) |
| Output Power | 900W (3x300W) |
| Outputs | XLR (AES pass-through) |
| Weight | 34 lbs / 15.4 kg each |
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JBL 4305P: $2,200/pair Amazon JBL
Pros: Erin measured a 45Hz F3 and heard solid 40–50Hz in-room extension—excellent for a compact 5.25-inch active monitor. Tonality is neutral and non-fatiguing, vocal coloration is absent, imaging is precise, and the HDI horn maintains near-constant horizontal directivity above 2kHz. Each speaker is bi-amplified (125W LF + 25W HF), while USB, optical, balanced analog, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth and 24/192 wired interconnect make this an unusually complete system. Grilles caused no meaningful response penalty.
Cons: The limiter becomes conspicuous around 96dB: Erin measured about 8dB lost near 50Hz at the highest drive and achieved roughly 93dB unweighted at 2m in-room, so this is a near/midfield system rather than a high-output theater speaker. A baffle discontinuity produces a 1–2kHz directivity mismatch that cannot be corrected uniformly in the vertical plane; stay within about +/-5° of tweeter height. Soundstage depth and layering trailed the KEF Reference 1 Meta, and wireless speaker linking caps resolution at 24/96.
Full JBL 4305P review and specifications →
| Amplification | 300W system: 125W LF + 25W HF per speaker |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.2H x 8.3W x 8.8D inches |
| Drivers | 5.25-inch pulp woofer; 1-inch annular compression driver |
| Maximum Output | ~93dB at 2m in-room before limiting (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons