Short answer: the 305P MkII, and the measurements back it up clearly. It ranks #13 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $319; the Classic 5 ranks #47 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](/powered/speakers/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.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | KRK Classic 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 per pair | $319.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #47 of 65 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 | 4.47 | 2.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.61 | 5.22 |
| 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) |
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 September 22, 2026 at 5:11 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 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data gives 4.47 standalone and 6.61 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 | 4.47 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.61 |
| 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 KEF LS50 Wireless II
- 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 IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- JBL 305P MKII vs Topping MA4
- JBL 305P MKII vs Devialet Phantom II 98 dB
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- See all 64 comparisons
KRK Classic 5: $319.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives -3dB bass around 60Hz and a 5.18 preference score with an ideal subwoofer. Broad tonal correction can improve it, so it may be useful to someone willing to measure and EQ a basic studio setup. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The native standalone score is 2.66 and the midrange span is a large 6.5dB. Excess treble and crossover/directivity errors keep it from being neutral out of the box, while low-bass distortion limits loud playback. Modeled EQ scores are not stock performance and do not demonstrate corrected distortion or dispersion.
Full KRK Classic 5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 54.2Hz (Spinorama/Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.7"H x 7.4"W x 11.2"D (246.4 x 188 x 284.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz-30kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, TRS, XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.22 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.9 lbs (5.87 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S3000PRO Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review JBL 305P MKII vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs KRK Rokit 5 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons