Short answer: the JBL 308P MKII for a flat on-axis curve; the Focal Twin6 Be for high output. The Twin6 Be is a high-output 2.5-way with an inverted beryllium tweeter and two 6.5-inch W-composite drivers, one reinforcing only 40-150Hz, but its response and directivity are not as uniformly neutral as newer waveguided three-way monitors. The JBL is essentially flat from 45Hz to above 15kHz.
On the JBL 308P MKII side: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response from 45Hz to above 15kHz, with almost no directivity error. Set against that: A resonance shows up around 18kHz and a slight dip around 1.4kHz.
Buy the JBL 308P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Twin6 Be and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 308P MKII | Focal Twin6 Be | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $298 per pair | $4,400 per pair |
| Ranked | #22 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #62 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 48.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) | 9.8” x 19.7” x 13.4” (250 x 500 x 340 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter | 1” inverted beryllium tweeter; dual 6.5” W-cone drivers |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 112W total | 150W LF + 100W LF/MF + 100W HF |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 | 6.06 |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4” TRS | Balanced XLR with +4dBu/-10dBV sensitivity |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each | 48.5 lbs (22 kg) |
| Bass Extension | - | 40Hz manufacturer specified; Erin measured strong low-frequency linearity |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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 308P MKII: $298 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.69 ideal-subwoofer score support unusually good tonal balance for an accessible studio monitor. Measured -3dB extension of 42.5Hz supplies useful musical bass, and the waveguide helps maintain consistent horizontal coverage. Measured bass extension of 42.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Amplifier hiss may be noticeable in quiet, close-range use. Bass distortion and output limits matter when playing loudly, despite the 8-inch woofer. Keep the tweeter near ear height; vertical crossover behavior is less forgiving than the best coaxial designs. A resonance around 18kHz and a slight dip around 1.4kHz.
Full JBL 308P MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 112W total |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Twin6 Be: $4,400 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: The dual-woofer arrangement offers useful output capability for studio work, with a 48.3Hz measured -3dB point in the horizontal test. Its professional controls and format can suit a dedicated monitoring installation. Measured bass extension of 48.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The horizontal measurement scores 6.06 with an ideal subwoofer and spans 2.9dB from 300Hz to 5kHz. Off-axis variation limits tonal consistency across listening positions. Orientation matters, and neither the beryllium tweeter nor the additional woofer makes its measured balance class-leading. Erin suspected intermodulation-related roughness even though harmonic distortion measured low.
Full Focal Twin6 Be review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W LF + 100W LF/MF + 100W HF |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension | 40Hz manufacturer specified; Erin measured strong low-frequency linearity |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 19.7” x 13.4” (250 x 500 x 340 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” inverted beryllium tweeter; dual 6.5” W-cone drivers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR with +4dBu/-10dBV sensitivity |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.06 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 48.5 lbs (22 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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