Short answer: the KEF LS50 Wireless II for off-axis consistency; the JBL 305P MKII for inexpensive simplicity. The KEF’s Uni-Q array gives excellent, consistent off-axis dispersion and the tightest directivity spread here, but its primary/secondary design makes one speaker depend on a wireless or wired Ethernet link to the other. The JBL is a fantastic value, with possible slight amp hiss.
On the JBL 305P MKII side: A fantastic value in studio monitors. Extremely close to the Focal Alpha 50 EVO, almost indistinguishable. The catch: Possible slight hissing from the amps at low levels. Rear ported, can be an issue close to walls.
What the KEF LS50 Wireless II gets right: Uni-Q coincident driver array (130mm aluminum woofer with a 25mm MAT dome tweeter mounted at its acoustic center) gives excellent, consistent off-axis dispersion, measuring the tightest directivity spread of this batch alongside a smooth listening-window response. The tradeoff: Primary/Secondary architecture means one speaker handles every input while the other depends on a wireless or wired Ethernet link back to it - placement is less flexible than a fully symmetric pair.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $2,710.99 less than the KEF LS50 Wireless II.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | KEF LS50 Wireless II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $289.00 per pair | $2,999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #14 of 68 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) | 12” x 7.9” x 12.2” (305 x 200 x 311 mm) each |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each | 44.3 lbs (20.1 kg) for the pair |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | Uni-Q coincident array: 130mm aluminum woofer + 25mm MAT aluminum dome tweeter |
| App | No | KEF Connect (placement EQ presets, source selection, firmware updates) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 4.2 |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes, fixed placement presets (desk/bookshelf/wall-mount) - no automatic room correction |
| Amplifier Power | 81w Per Speaker | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 | 5.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 | 7.51 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 108dB at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA subwoofer |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL 305P MKII compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8331A vs JBL 305P MKII
- JBL 305P MKII vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8030C vs JBL 305P MKII
- JBL 305P MKII vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- JBL 305P MKII vs Reflector Audio Square Two
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 PM 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: $289.00 per pair Amazon eBay
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 →
| 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
- JBL 305P MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
- JBL 305P MKII vs Genelec 8020D
- JBL 305P MKII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- JBL 305P MKII vs Topping MA4
- JBL 305P MKII vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- JBL 305P MKII vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
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- See all 67 comparisons
KEF LS50 Wireless II: $2,999.99 per pair Amazon KEF Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements give preference scores of 5.43 standalone and 7.51 with an ideal subwoofer, with a -3dB point around 51Hz. The coincident Uni-Q layout helps preserve tonal consistency across horizontal and vertical listening positions. Low listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.308 supports relatively clean midrange reproduction. HDMI eARC and streaming functions make it a capable all-in-one stereo system. Measured bass extension of 51.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3.0dB response span is good but not reference-leading, and dispersion still varies with frequency. Compact bass drivers limit deep-bass output. App placement adjustments are not the same as microphone-based automatic room correction. The price and primary/secondary architecture are practical trade-offs; neither driver geometry nor a single directivity statistic guarantees the best sound in every room.
Full KEF LS50 Wireless II review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 280W (LF) + 100W (HF) per speaker, bi-amped |
| App | KEF Connect (placement EQ presets, source selection, firmware updates) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7.9” x 12.2” (305 x 200 x 311 mm) each |
| Drivers | Uni-Q coincident array: 130mm aluminum woofer + 25mm MAT aluminum dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes, fixed placement presets (desk/bookshelf/wall-mount) - no automatic room correction |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI eARC, optical, digital coaxial, 3.5mm analog, USB-A (service), Ethernet |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.51 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 44.3 lbs (20.1 kg) for the pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Klipsch The Fives
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Genelec 8020D
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Genelec 8320A
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Kali Audio SM-5
- KEF LS50 Wireless II vs Kali Audio IN-5
- See all 45 comparisons