Short answer: the Klipsch The Nines if you want Erin’s favorite Klipsch; the JBL 308P MKII for a flat studio curve. Erin calls The Nines his favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard, though the app’s flat setting leaves treble elevated and he preferred a -2dB tweeter trim. The JBL is essentially flat on-axis from 45Hz to above 15kHz with almost no directivity error.
The case for the JBL 308P MKII: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response from 45Hz to above 15kHz, with almost no directivity error. The tradeoff: 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 Klipsch The Nines and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 308P MKII | Klipsch The Nines | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $298 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #22 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #40 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 42.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) | 19.13”H x 9.5”W x 13.38”D |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter | 8” high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| App | No | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 112W total | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 | 6.90 |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4” TRS | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 5.0 |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) primary, 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) secondary |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Sensitivity | - | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | rear-ported bass reflex |
| Maximum SPL | - | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
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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
Klipsch The Nines: $999.99 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: The 1.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, and measured -3dB extension is 42.5Hz. Extensive consumer connections and app adjustment make it convenient for TV and music, while the horn provides a focused listening presentation. Erin called it his favorite Klipsch speaker. Measured bass extension of 42.5Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 82.5dB.
Cons: The 6.90 ideal-subwoofer score reflects limitations beyond the narrow midband span. Horizontal coverage is relatively focused, so placement matters for multiple seats. The reviewer preferred reduced treble, and bass limiting at higher playback levels means the large woofer is not a guarantee of unlimited output. The app’s flat setting leaves treble elevated; Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim.
Full Klipsch The Nines review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker) |
| App | Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.13”H x 9.5”W x 13.38”D |
| Drivers | 8” high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.90 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) primary, 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) secondary |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported bass reflex |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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