Short answer: the JBL 306P MKII. It ranks #35 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $398; the Klipsch The Sevens ranks #38 and costs $999.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the JBL 306P MKII side: CEA2034 spinorama shows a nice, smooth on-axis response with very good directivity control for a compact 6.5” monitor. Set against that: A narrow but noticeable dip around 1.6kHz shows up in the on-axis and listening-window curves.
The case for the Klipsch The Sevens: Genuinely good bass - reaches about 40 Hz in-room with a solid, controlled thump and no real strain, backed by measured extension to F3 49Hz/F10 36Hz. The tradeoff: Notably narrower horizontal radiation than its stablemate, the Klipsch The Nines.
Buy the JBL 306P MKII. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch The Sevens and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 40 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 306P MKII | Klipsch The Sevens | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398 | $999.99 |
| Ranked | #35 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #38 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.1"H x 11.2"W x 12.9"D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) | 16.375"H x 8.125"W x 13.1875"D |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Weight | 13.4 lbs / 6.1 kg each | 22.3 lbs (primary), 19.9 lbs (secondary) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter | 6.5" high-excursion woofer, 1" titanium tweeter on Tractrix horn |
| App | No | Yes (treble/mid/bass EQ, subwoofer output, dynamic bass mode) |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 112W total | 200W total (400W peak) |
| Inputs | - | HDMI, Phono, 3.5mm, USB, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear flared port |
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- Klipsch The Nines vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Edifier R2850DB vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Adam Audio T7V vs Focal Twin6 Be
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Edifier R2850DB vs Klipsch The Sevens
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 306P MKII: $398 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a nice, smooth on-axis response with very good directivity control for a compact 6.5” monitor. Dual 56W Class D amps keep the design affordable at $398 per pair while following JBL’s well-regarded 300-series voicing.
Cons: A narrow but noticeable dip around 1.6kHz shows up in the on-axis and listening-window curves. Distortion runs classically high for this series, reaching around 5% near 200Hz at 96dB SPL. Amplifier hiss is audible from roughly 2 feet away, and the monitor runs out of headroom at higher volumes.
Full JBL 306P MKII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1"H x 11.2"W x 12.9"D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 112W total |
| Weight | 13.4 lbs / 6.1 kg each |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch The Sevens: $999.99 Amazon
Pros: Genuinely good bass - reaches about 40 Hz in-room with a solid, controlled thump and no real strain, backed by measured extension to F3 49Hz/F10 36Hz. “Wireless” design only requires one power outlet: a single signal cable runs from the primary speaker to the secondary, so only the primary needs a power cable. Extensive inputs - HDMI, phono, 3.5mm, USB, optical, plus Bluetooth. Companion app exposes treble/mid/bass adjustment, subwoofer output, and a dynamic bass mode, giving real tuning flexibility. Good linearity overall once EQ’d - dropping the treble by 1-2dB got the reviewer to a more satisfying tonal balance.
Cons: Notably narrower horizontal radiation than its stablemate, the Klipsch The Nines, meaning less favorable room interaction and a smaller sweet spot - the reviewer suspects this is a meaningful part of why he preferred the Nines. Out of the box (flat EQ), the top end is a bit too lifted/bright. A persistent dip in the upper mid-range (2-4kHz) that the reviewer found dull and lifeless regardless of EQ tweaking to the treble control - he felt this region specifically needed better tuning from Klipsch, not just a treble slider adjustment. Response isn’t quite flat even after adjustment - there’s peaking up around 8kHz that reinforces a scooped-sounding in-room balance at the listening seat.
Full Klipsch The Sevens review and specifications →
| App | Yes (treble/mid/bass EQ, subwoofer output, dynamic bass mode) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.375"H x 8.125"W x 13.1875"D |
| Drivers | 6.5" high-excursion woofer, 1" titanium tweeter on Tractrix horn |
| Inputs | HDMI, Phono, 3.5mm, USB, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Output Power | 200W total (400W peak) |
| Weight | 22.3 lbs (primary), 19.9 lbs (secondary) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear flared port |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Klipsch The Sevens vs Focal Twin6 Be
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Edifier S3000Pro
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Edifier R2850DB
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Kali Audio LP-6
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Klipsch The Nines
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