Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII for better sound quality, the Midiplus MI5 II for the lower price. The JBL 305P MKII ranks #11 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $319. The Midiplus MI5 II ranks #57 at $169, $150 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 Midiplus MI5 II offers: A compact 5-inch powered pair with balanced inputs, Bluetooth and 100W RMS total output. The local Spinorama snapshot measures 49Hz extension and reaches 4.09 with a subwoofer. Watch for: The 1.81 raw preference score reflects notable tonal unevenness, and one powered cabinet drives the other through a proprietary cable. Brand support and US retail availability are thinner than mainstream monitor alternatives.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Midiplus MI5 II if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Midiplus MI5 II. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | Midiplus MI5 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 | $169/pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #57 of 64 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) | 10.1H x 6.7W x 9.4D in |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz-25kHz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each | - |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch fiberglass woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 81w Per Speaker | - |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Enclosure | - | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Power Output | - | 100W RMS per pair |
| Maximum SPL | - | 103dB |
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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
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 →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS |
| Output Power | 81w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each |
- 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)
- Reddit Search for JBL 305P MKII Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Midiplus MI5 II: $169/pair eBay
Pros: A compact 5-inch powered pair with balanced inputs, Bluetooth and 100W RMS total output. The local Spinorama snapshot measures 49Hz extension and reaches 4.09 with a subwoofer.
Cons: The 1.81 raw preference score reflects notable tonal unevenness, and one powered cabinet drives the other through a proprietary cable. Brand support and US retail availability are thinner than mainstream monitor alternatives.
Full Midiplus MI5 II review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 10.1H x 6.7W x 9.4D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch fiberglass woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-25kHz |
| Inputs | TRS, RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB |
| Power Output | 100W RMS per pair |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Edifier R1280DB
- Midiplus MI5 II vs KRK Classic 5
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- Midiplus MI5 II vs KEF LSX II LT
- Midiplus MI5 II vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Yamaha HS5
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Adam Audio T5V
- Midiplus MI5 II vs Kali LP-UNF
- See all 9 comparisons