Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII. It ranks #17 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $289 and is still sold new; the Neumi BS5P ranks #50 (rated 3.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Neumi BS5P’s replacement, the Neumi BS5P-ARC, is rated 3.8/5.
The JBL 305P MKII is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Erin’s Klippel data gives 5.38 standalone and 7.52 with an ideal subwoofer, with bass reaching -3dB around 51Hz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.38 against 4.83 for the Neumi BS5P. Its bass reaches about 50Hz before falling 3dB, against 90.8Hz for the Neumi BS5P. Watch for: The 3.3dB midrange span and rising response show it is not perfectly neutral.
Why pick the Neumi BS5P: Erin’s retest with corrected tweeter polarity, updated internal EQ and plugged ports gives a much more neutral result: 4.83 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The catch: That result is conditional on the tested firmware and port configuration, not a guarantee for an unknown stock or used pair.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Neumi BS5P is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | Neumi BS5P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $289.00 per pair | $150 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #17 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #50 of 100 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) | 10.6” x 7.2” x 8.5” (269 x 183 x 216 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical in-room) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 56.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | Bluetooth, optical, coaxial and RCA |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each | - |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 5” fiberglass woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 81w Per Speaker | 75W total |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 | 4.83 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 | 7.83 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension | - | Erin’s response shows usable midbass but limited deep-bass headroom |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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 eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR305 (ranked lower, rated 4.2/5).
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 →
| 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?
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Neumi BS5P: $150 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Neumi BS5P-ARC, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5.
Pros: Erin’s retest with corrected tweeter polarity, updated internal EQ and plugged ports gives a much more neutral result: 4.83 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The reviewer also found that configuration substantially better in listening. Its analog and digital inputs make it a flexible inexpensive system. Measured bass extension of 90.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: That result is conditional on the tested firmware and port configuration, not a guarantee for an unknown stock or used pair. The first sample had reversed tweeter polarity, so its poor initial result should not be generalized to every unit either. Plugged-port bass reaches -3dB around 91Hz. Confirm configuration before expecting the improved balance; tonal scores do not remove output limits. Discontinued.
Full Neumi BS5P review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75W total |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension | Erin’s response shows usable midbass but limited deep-bass headroom |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 7.2” x 8.5” (269 x 183 x 216 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 5” fiberglass woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical in-room) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, optical, coaxial and RCA |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.83 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons