Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII. It ranks #18 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $289; the KRK Rokit 5 G5 ranks #50, rated 3.8/5, and costs $398, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The JBL 305P MKII is the better-sounding pick. Erin’s Klippel data gives 5.38 standalone and 7.52 with an ideal subwoofer, with bass reaching -3dB around 51Hz. Watch for: The 3.3dB midrange span and rising response show it is not perfectly neutral.
The case for the KRK Rokit 5 G5: A 5” woven Kevlar woofer and 1” silk dome tweeter. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the KRK Rokit 5 G5 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Worth knowing: the KRK Rokit 5 G5 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.6 to 4.0, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | KRK Rokit 5 G5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $289.00 per pair | $398 per pair |
| Ranked | #18 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #50 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.1”D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm) | 11.3”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D (288 x 191 x 242 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | TRS, XLR |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each | 10.9 lbs (4.95 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5” (127mm) Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (KRK app) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (25 boundary and tuning settings) |
| Amplifier Power | 81w Per Speaker | 55W (35W LF + 20W HF, Class D) |
| 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 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| 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 |
| DSP | - | Yes (3 voicing modes) |
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 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 $289.00 eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR305 (ranked lower, rated 4.2/5). See every JBL 3 Series generation.
Same family: the JBL 306P MKII (larger bookshelf, rated 4.1/5) and the JBL 308P MKII (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5).
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 →
| Released | Jan 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 KEF LS50 Wireless II
- JBL 305P MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
- JBL 305P MKII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- JBL 305P MKII vs Genelec 8020D
- JBL 305P MKII vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- JBL 305P MKII vs Topping MA4
- JBL 305P MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- JBL 305P MKII vs HEDD Type 05 A-CORE
- See all 71 comparisons
KRK Rokit 5 G5: $398 per pair Estimated Amazon $199.00 eBay
Older model: the KRK Rokit 5 G4 (ranked lower, rated 3.7/5). See every KRK Rokit generation.
Same family: the KRK Rokit 7 G5 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5) and the KRK Rokit 8 G5 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5).
Pros: A 5” woven Kevlar woofer and 1” silk dome tweeter. Onboard DSP adds three voicing modes (Mix for a flat response, Create, and Focus for the midrange) and 25 boundary and tuning EQ settings, set up with the free KRK app. Bi-amplified Class D amplification and a silk dome tweeter rated to 40kHz.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. A 5” woofer limits bass extension and output, so a subwoofer helps for full-range listening. Sold individually, so a stereo pair costs twice the listed price.
Full KRK Rokit 5 G5 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 55W (35W LF + 20W HF, Class D) |
| App | Yes (KRK app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (3 voicing modes) |
| Dimensions | 11.3”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D (288 x 191 x 242 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (25 boundary and tuning settings) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.9 lbs (4.95 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons