Short answer: the 305P MkII, and the measurements back it up clearly. It ranks #18 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers at $319; the Classic 5 ranks #74 at $319.99, a real ranking gap for a small price difference.
The 305P MkII is described in our notes as extremely close to the Focal Alpha 50 EVO, almost indistinguishable, which is a genuinely high bar at this price. Its only real complaints are possible slight amp hiss at low levels and a rear port that wants clearance from the wall behind it.
The Classic 5’s problems are specific and measurable. Elevated, splashy highs above 4kHz from port and woofer resonance, a directivity error at the crossover that dips the upper midrange, and distortion that exceeds 100% below 50Hz. Our notes say it’s not recommended out of the box, though EQ correction can turn it into a capable monitor.
Toe-in and positioning matter more on the Classic 5. Without a waveguide, its tweeter beam narrows sharply, so where you sit relative to the cabinets affects the sound more than it does on the 305P MkII.
Buy the 305P MkII for the more forgiving, better-measuring monitor at nearly the same price. Buy the Classic 5 only if you’re prepared to EQ it and control your listening position carefully.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Budget studio monitors with balanced sound and wide coverage that keeps the stereo image stable across a desk.
A basic 5 inch studio monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs, best for someone willing to tune it with EQ.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | KRK Classic 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 per pair | $319.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #18 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #74 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) | 9.7”H x 7.4”W x 11.2”D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 56Hz-30kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | RCA, TRS, XLR |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each | 12.9 lbs (5.87 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Amplifier Power | 81w Per Speaker | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 | 3.47 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 | 5.99 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
Watch Them Compared
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