Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII for better sound quality, the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 for the lower price. The JBL 305P MKII ranks #11 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $319. The Fluid Audio FX50 V2 ranks #58 at $149, $170 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 Fluid Audio FX50 V2 offers: Current 90W coaxial monitor with DSP boundary controls, balanced inputs, front port and wall/ceiling mounting points. The point-source geometry gives symmetrical radiation and flexible vertical or horizontal placement. Watch for: The local Spinorama snapshot is weak at 0.92 raw and 3.53 with a subwoofer despite 58Hz extension, indicating substantial tonal problems. It is better suited to correction-heavy or immersive monitoring than neutral plug-and-play listening.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Fluid Audio FX50 V2. 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 | Fluid Audio FX50 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 | $149 each |
| Ranked | #11 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #58 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) | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | XLR/TRS and RCA |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each | 8.37 lbs each |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper 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 | - | Active coaxial, front-ported |
| Power Output | - | 90W each |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB |
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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
Fluid Audio FX50 V2: $149 each Fluid Audio eBay
Pros: Current 90W coaxial monitor with DSP boundary controls, balanced inputs, front port and wall/ceiling mounting points. The point-source geometry gives symmetrical radiation and flexible vertical or horizontal placement.
Cons: The local Spinorama snapshot is weak at 0.92 raw and 3.53 with a subwoofer despite 58Hz extension, indicating substantial tonal problems. It is better suited to correction-heavy or immersive monitoring than neutral plug-and-play listening.
Full Fluid Audio FX50 V2 review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper woofer |
| Enclosure | Active coaxial, front-ported |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS and RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Power Output | 90W each |
| Weight | 8.37 lbs each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Edifier R1280DB
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- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Yamaha HS5
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Adam Audio T5V
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Kali LP-UNF
- See all 9 comparisons