Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII for better sound quality, the Avantone Pro Active MixCube for the lower price. The JBL 305P MKII ranks #11 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $319. The Avantone Pro Active MixCube ranks #59 at $259, $60 cheaper.
What the JBL 305P MKII offers: A fantastic value in studio monitors. Extremely close to the Focal Alpha 50 EVO, almost indistinguishable. Surprisingly deep and wide soundstage. Good horizontal dispersion (~70 degrees). Has a proper limiter that controls output cleanly rather than crudely cutting bass, and holds up well under sustained loud playback with minimal thermal compression. Watch for: Possible slight hissing from the amps at low levels. Rear ported, can be an issue close to walls. A port resonance around 1.6kHz is audible and distracting on some tracks. Midrange is somewhat scooped rather than flat for a studio monitor, and treble runs about 1.5dB hot - Erin’s Audio Corner recommends using the -2dB treble shelf switch. Vertical dispersion narrows around the crossover, so try to stay within about 10 degrees of the tweeter axis.
What the Avantone Pro Active MixCube offers: A compact sealed single-driver monitor made specifically for checking midrange balance and mix translation. Its 60W Class-AB amplifier, balanced combo input, isolation pad and mic-stand mount make it a convenient specialist studio tool. Watch for: The local Spinorama results are exceptionally limited for general listening: -3.74 raw and only 1.00 with a subwoofer, with 183Hz measured extension. It omits deep bass and treble by design, so this ranking reflects objective full-range performance rather than its utility as a secondary mix check.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Avantone Pro Active MixCube if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Avantone Pro Active MixCube. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | Avantone Pro Active MixCube | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 | $259 each |
| Ranked | #11 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #59 of 64 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) | 6.5H x 6.5W x 6.5D in |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 90Hz-17kHz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | Balanced XLR/TRS combo |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each | 7.13 lbs each |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | - |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 81w Per Speaker | - |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Enclosure | - | Powered sealed full-range monitor |
| Driver | - | 5.25-inch paper cone |
| Amplifier | - | 60W RMS Class AB |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB at 1m |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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
JBL 305P MKII: $319.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A fantastic value in studio monitors. Extremely close to the Focal Alpha 50 EVO, almost indistinguishable. Surprisingly deep and wide soundstage. Good horizontal dispersion (~70 degrees). Has a proper limiter that controls output cleanly rather than crudely cutting bass, and holds up well under sustained loud playback with minimal thermal compression.
Cons: Possible slight hissing from the amps at low levels. Rear ported, can be an issue close to walls. A port resonance around 1.6kHz is audible and distracting on some tracks. Midrange is somewhat scooped rather than flat for a studio monitor, and treble runs about 1.5dB hot - Erin’s Audio Corner recommends using the -2dB treble shelf switch. Vertical dispersion narrows around the crossover, so try to stay within about 10 degrees of the tweeter axis.
Full JBL 305P MKII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS |
| Output Power | 81w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each |
- 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)
- Reddit Search for JBL 305P MKII Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Avantone Pro Active MixCube: $259 each B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A compact sealed single-driver monitor made specifically for checking midrange balance and mix translation. Its 60W Class-AB amplifier, balanced combo input, isolation pad and mic-stand mount make it a convenient specialist studio tool.
Cons: The local Spinorama results are exceptionally limited for general listening: -3.74 raw and only 1.00 with a subwoofer, with 183Hz measured extension. It omits deep bass and treble by design, so this ranking reflects objective full-range performance rather than its utility as a secondary mix check.
Full Avantone Pro Active MixCube review and specifications →
| Amplifier | 60W RMS Class AB |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.5H x 6.5W x 6.5D in |
| Driver | 5.25-inch paper cone |
| Enclosure | Powered sealed full-range monitor |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz-17kHz |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR/TRS combo |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB at 1m |
| Weight | 7.13 lbs each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Yamaha HS5
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Adam Audio T5V
- Avantone Pro Active MixCube vs Kali LP-UNF
- See all 9 comparisons