Short answer: the JBL 305P MKII. It ranks #11 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $319; the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 ranks #24 and costs $18043.20, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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 Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 offers: The best-measuring of Sigberg’s three active systems, with a 6.74 Spinorama preference score with a perfect subwoofer versus 6.26 for the SBS.1 and 5.91 for the Manta. This is the appropriate apples-to-apples comparison because all three are designed for use with companion subwoofers. Unlike the other two measurements, the SBS Gen 2 data includes its subwoofer and verifies 24Hz bass extension. Its updated asymmetric 1st/3rd-order linear-phase crossover also delivers the best on-axis linearity and in-room and sound-power smoothness of the three. Active 3-channel Hypex nCore Class D amplification (350W per speaker) includes a 9-band parametric EQ. Watch for: Slightly wider directivity variation than the Manta (spinorama directivity index standard deviation 3.27 versus 2.50), though broadly comparable to the SBS.1’s 3.19. Sold only as a complete speaker-and-subwoofer system with pricing well into flagship territory. Built to order with a lead time of several months.
Buy the JBL 305P MKII. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 305P MKII | Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 | $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) |
| Ranked | #11 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #24 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) | 16.1"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg each | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg each |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 5.5" midbass, 5.5" coaxial mid/tweeter with 1" silk dome |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Output Power | 81w Per Speaker | 350W per speaker |
| Sensitivity | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| Max SPL | - | 116dB |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Country | - | Norway |
| Measurement Source | - | Manufacturer |
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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
Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2: $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) Sigberg Audio eBay
Pros: The best-measuring of Sigberg’s three active systems, with a 6.74 Spinorama preference score with a perfect subwoofer versus 6.26 for the SBS.1 and 5.91 for the Manta. This is the appropriate apples-to-apples comparison because all three are designed for use with companion subwoofers. Unlike the other two measurements, the SBS Gen 2 data includes its subwoofer and verifies 24Hz bass extension. Its updated asymmetric 1st/3rd-order linear-phase crossover also delivers the best on-axis linearity and in-room and sound-power smoothness of the three. Active 3-channel Hypex nCore Class D amplification (350W per speaker) includes a 9-band parametric EQ.
Cons: Slightly wider directivity variation than the Manta (spinorama directivity index standard deviation 3.27 versus 2.50), though broadly comparable to the SBS.1’s 3.19. Sold only as a complete speaker-and-subwoofer system with pricing well into flagship territory. Built to order with a lead time of several months.
Full Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Country | Norway |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.1"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" midbass, 5.5" coaxial mid/tweeter with 1" silk dome |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Max SPL | 116dB |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Output Power | 350W per speaker |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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