JBL 305P MKII vs M-Audio BX4 D3

Last updated: August 25, 2026

Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII for better sound quality, the M-Audio BX4 D3 for the lower price. The JBL 305P MKII ranks #11 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $319. The M-Audio BX4 D3 ranks #56 at $149, $170 cheaper.

What the JBL 305P MKII offers: A fantastic value in studio monitors. Extremely close to the Focal Alpha 50 EVO, almost indistinguishable. Surprisingly deep and wide soundstage. Good horizontal dispersion (~70 degrees). Has a proper limiter that controls output cleanly rather than crudely cutting bass, and holds up well under sustained loud playback with minimal thermal compression. Watch for: Possible slight hissing from the amps at low levels. Rear ported, can be an issue close to walls. A port resonance around 1.6kHz is audible and distracting on some tracks. Midrange is somewhat scooped rather than flat for a studio monitor, and treble runs about 1.5dB hot - Erin’s Audio Corner recommends using the -2dB treble shelf switch. Vertical dispersion narrows around the crossover, so try to stay within about 10 degrees of the tweeter axis.

What the M-Audio BX4 D3 offers: Affordable compact powered pair with 4.5-inch Kevlar woofers, rear EQ controls, balanced TRS, RCA and front-panel aux/headphone connections. Spinorama predicts a 5.14 preference score with a subwoofer and useful nearfield bass extension near 62Hz. Watch for: The third-party measurement is low confidence, and the small shared-amplifier design has limited output and bass headroom. Its raw no-subwoofer preference score is modest, the rear port complicates wall placement, and only the left cabinet contains amplification and controls.

Buy the JBL 305P MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the M-Audio BX4 D3 if the price matters more than sound quality.

If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the M-Audio BX4 D3. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.

Buy the JBL 305P MKII at Amazon ($319.00) →Buy the M-Audio BX4 D3 at Amazon ($149/pair) →

JBL 305P MKII vs M-Audio BX4 D3

Specifications Side By Side

JBL 305P MKII M-Audio BX4 D3
Price$319.00$149/pair
Ranked#11 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers#56 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Dimensions11.7"H x 7.3"W x 9.1"D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm)8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in
Frequency Response49 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)-
InputsXLR, TRSTRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output
Weight10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each9.8 lbs/pair
Drivers5" (127mm) woofer1" dome tweeter, 4.5" Kevlar woofer
AppNo-
BluetoothNo-
EQYes (Room adjustment)-
Output Power81w Per Speaker-
Sensitivity91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner)-
Enclosure-2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported
Power Output-120W peak system
Buy the JBL 305P MKII at Amazon ($319.00) →Buy the M-Audio BX4 D3 at Amazon ($149/pair) →

More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:

Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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 Amazon eBay

JBL 305P MKII ranking card

Pros: A fantastic value in studio monitors. Extremely close to the Focal Alpha 50 EVO, almost indistinguishable. Surprisingly deep and wide soundstage. Good horizontal dispersion (~70 degrees). Has a proper limiter that controls output cleanly rather than crudely cutting bass, and holds up well under sustained loud playback with minimal thermal compression.

Cons: Possible slight hissing from the amps at low levels. Rear ported, can be an issue close to walls. A port resonance around 1.6kHz is audible and distracting on some tracks. Midrange is somewhat scooped rather than flat for a studio monitor, and treble runs about 1.5dB hot - Erin’s Audio Corner recommends using the -2dB treble shelf switch. Vertical dispersion narrows around the crossover, so try to stay within about 10 degrees of the tweeter axis.

Full JBL 305P MKII review and specifications →

AppNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
BluetoothNo
Dimensions11.7"H x 7.3"W x 9.1"D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm)
Drivers5" (127mm) woofer
EQYes (Room adjustment)
Frequency Response49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified)
InputsXLR, TRS
Output Power81w Per Speaker
Sensitivity91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner)
Weight10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each
Check current price at Amazon ($319.00) →Search eBay for JBL 305P MKII →

M-Audio BX4 D3: $149/pair Amazon eBay

M-Audio BX4 D3 ranking card

Pros: Affordable compact powered pair with 4.5-inch Kevlar woofers, rear EQ controls, balanced TRS, RCA and front-panel aux/headphone connections. Spinorama predicts a 5.14 preference score with a subwoofer and useful nearfield bass extension near 62Hz.

Cons: The third-party measurement is low confidence, and the small shared-amplifier design has limited output and bass headroom. Its raw no-subwoofer preference score is modest, the rear port complicates wall placement, and only the left cabinet contains amplification and controls.

Full M-Audio BX4 D3 review and specifications →

Dimensions8.9H x 6.1W x 6.9D in
Drivers1" dome tweeter, 4.5" Kevlar woofer
Enclosure2-way powered stereo pair, rear-ported
InputsTRS, RCA, 3.5mm aux; headphone output
Power Output120W peak system
Weight9.8 lbs/pair
Check current price at Amazon ($149/pair) →Search eBay for M-Audio BX4 D3 →