Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII for better sound quality, the Neumi BS5P-ARC for the lower price. The JBL 305P MKII ranks #11 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $319. The Neumi BS5P-ARC ranks #61 at $219.99, $99.01 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 Neumi BS5P-ARC offers: Adds an HDMI ARC input over Neumi’s standard BS5P, plus USB-C, optical and coaxial digital inputs, useful as a simple TV soundbar alternative. Watch for: Erin’s Audio Corner measured a rough response: on-axis deviation of 0.617dB, on-axis smoothness of just 0.167, and a mild +0.08dB per octave upward tilt, with predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.26. A -3dB point of 112.8Hz and a Harman in-room extension estimate of just 79Hz mean very little real bass extension without a subwoofer.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Neumi BS5P-ARC if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Neumi BS5P-ARC. 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 | Neumi BS5P-ARC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 | $219.99 |
| Ranked | #11 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #61 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) | 10.6H x 7.2W x 8.5D in each |
| 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 | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA analog |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each | - |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 1" silk dome tweeter with integrated waveguide, 5" poly-cone 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 | - | 2-way active |
| Power Output | - | 75W total (37.5W per channel) |
| Country | - | China |
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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
Neumi BS5P-ARC: $219.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Adds an HDMI ARC input over Neumi’s standard BS5P, plus USB-C, optical and coaxial digital inputs, useful as a simple TV soundbar alternative.
Cons: Erin’s Audio Corner measured a rough response: on-axis deviation of 0.617dB, on-axis smoothness of just 0.167, and a mild +0.08dB per octave upward tilt, with predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.26. A -3dB point of 112.8Hz and a Harman in-room extension estimate of just 79Hz mean very little real bass extension without a subwoofer.
Full Neumi BS5P-ARC review and specifications →
| Country | China |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 7.2W x 8.5D in each |
| Drivers | 1" silk dome tweeter with integrated waveguide, 5" poly-cone woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA analog |
| Power Output | 75W total (37.5W per channel) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs Edifier R1280DB
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- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs KEF LSX II LT
- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs Yamaha HS5
- Neumi BS5P-ARC vs Adam Audio T5V
- See all 10 comparisons