Short answer: the JBL 308P MKII. It ranks #34 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $298. The JBL 305P MKII ranks #18, rated 4.3/5, at $289, $9 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The JBL 308P MKII is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. 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. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.88 against 5.38 for the JBL 305P MKII. Its bass reaches about 42.5Hz before falling 3dB, against 50Hz for the JBL 305P MKII. Watch for: Amplifier hiss may be noticeable in quiet, close-range use.
What the JBL 305P MKII does well: Erin’s Klippel data gives 5.38 standalone and 7.52 with an ideal subwoofer, with bass reaching -3dB around 51Hz. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL 308P MKII lacks. The catch: The 3.3dB midrange span and rising response show it is not perfectly neutral.
Buy the JBL 308P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $9 saving on the JBL 305P MKII is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 308P MKII | JBL 305P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $298 per pair | $289.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #34 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.1”D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 112W total | 81w Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | 5.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 | 7.52 |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4” TRS | XLR, TRS |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | - | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: JBL 308P MKII (measured by Audio Science Review) and JBL 305P MKII (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL 305P MKII compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8331A vs JBL 305P MKII
- JBL 305P MKII vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8030C vs JBL 305P MKII
- JBL 305P MKII vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- JBL 305P MKII vs Reflector Audio Square Two
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 308P MKII: $298 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR308 (ranked lower, estimated 4.2/5). See every JBL 3 Series generation.
Same family: the JBL 305P MKII (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the JBL 306P MKII (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5).
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 →
| Released | Jun 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
JBL 305P MKII: $289.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR305 (ranked lower, rated 4.2/5). See every JBL 3 Series generation.
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 →
| Released | Jan 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL 305P MKII vs KEF LS50 Wireless II
- JBL 305P MKII vs Klipsch The Fives
- JBL 305P MKII vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- JBL 305P MKII vs Genelec 8020D
- JBL 305P MKII vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- JBL 305P MKII vs Topping MA4
- JBL 305P MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- JBL 305P MKII vs HEDD Type 05 A-CORE
- See all 70 comparisons