Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII. It ranks #18 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $289 and is still sold new; the ADAM Audio A5X ranks #61 (rated 3.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The ADAM Audio A5X’s replacement, the ADAM Audio A4V, is rated 3.6/5 at $1,079.98.
The JBL 305P MKII is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Erin’s Klippel data gives 5.38 standalone and 7.52 with an ideal subwoofer, with bass reaching -3dB around 51Hz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.38 against 4.08 for the ADAM Audio A5X. Its bass reaches about 50Hz before falling 3dB, against 58.6Hz for the ADAM Audio A5X. Watch for: The 3.3dB midrange span and rising response show it is not perfectly neutral.
What the ADAM Audio A5X does well: A compact active studio monitor with a 5.5” carbon/Rohacell woofer and ADAM’s X-ART folded ribbon tweeter, with 50W amplifiers for each driver. The tradeoff: The on-axis response is less even (0.79 average deviation).
Buy the JBL 305P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality; the ADAM Audio A5X is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | ADAM Audio A5X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $289.00 per pair | $500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #18 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #61 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.1”D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm) | 11”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (280 x 170 x 220 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | - |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5.5” carbon/Rohacell woofer, X-ART folded ribbon tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 81w Per Speaker | 100W (50W LF, 50W HF) |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 | 4.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 | 6.49 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: JBL 305P MKII (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and ADAM Audio A5X (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 305P MKII: $289.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR305 (ranked lower, rated 4.2/5). See every JBL 3 Series generation.
Same family: the JBL 306P MKII (larger bookshelf, rated 4.1/5) and the JBL 308P MKII (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5).
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 →
| Released | Jan 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review JBL 305P MKII vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Adam Audio T5V 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio IN-5 vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 308P MKII vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- 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)
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025
- Jasper Tech: Are the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro the Best Studio Monitor Speakers for your Home Studio?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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ADAM Audio A5X: $500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the ADAM Audio A4V, ranked lower, rated 3.6/5, released Apr 2022. See every ADAM Audio A Series generation.
Pros: A compact active studio monitor with a 5.5” carbon/Rohacell woofer and ADAM’s X-ART folded ribbon tweeter, with 50W amplifiers for each driver. Audio Science Review measured a preference score of 4.08 that reaches 6.49 with an ideal subwoofer, with 0.54 listening window deviation. Measured bass extension of 58.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The on-axis response is less even (0.79 average deviation). ADAM discontinued it. Bass reaches 58.6Hz (-3dB) and about 50Hz (-10dB).
Full ADAM Audio A5X review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2011 (15 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100W (50W LF, 50W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (280 x 170 x 220 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5” carbon/Rohacell woofer, X-ART folded ribbon tweeter |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.49 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org) More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio T7V vs Adam Audio A5X sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- Head-to-Head Comparisons