Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII for headroom; the KEF LSX II LT for coaxial desktop convenience. The KEF’s coaxial driver keeps the tweeter centered in the midrange, but small drivers leave it SPL-limited, with bass compression around 88-92dB/1m per speaker. The JBL is a fantastic value in studio monitors, though the amps may hiss slightly at low levels.
What the JBL 305P MKII gets right: A fantastic value in studio monitors. Set against that: Possible slight hissing from the amps at low levels.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the KEF LSX II LT and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | KEF LSX II LT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 per pair | $749.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #18 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #36 of 108 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) | 9.5”H x 6.1”W x 7.1”D (241.3 x 154.9 x 180.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 54Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | Wifi, USB-C, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 115mm (4.5in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy cone woofer, 19mm (0.75in.) aluminium dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 81w Per Speaker | 100w RMS Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 | 4.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 | 7.03 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Outputs | - | RCA Subwoofer |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget – 2026
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