Short answer: the Neumann KH 150 on measured sound quality, the JBL 308P MKII on price. The Neumann KH 150 ranks #8 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.8/5, at $3,398. The JBL 308P MKII ranks #34, rated 4.4/5, at $298, $3,100 cheaper.
What the JBL 308P MKII does well: 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. Watch for: Amplifier hiss may be noticeable in quiet, close-range use.
The Neumann KH 150 is the more accurate choice. An exceptionally tight 1.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports neutral vocals and instruments. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.65 against 5.88 for the JBL 308P MKII. The tradeoff: A two-way nearfield monitor cannot match the largest three-way systems for deep-bass output at distance.
Buy the JBL 308P MKII when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Neumann KH 150 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 308P MKII | Neumann KH 150 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $298 per pair | $3,398 per pair |
| Ranked | #34 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #8 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 39.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 34.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) | 13.6”H x 8.9”W x 10.7”D (345 x 225 x 273 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz-20.4kHz +/-3dB |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter | 1” tweeter, 6.5” woofer |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 112W total | 245W total (145W woofer, 100W tweeter, 10% THD+N) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | 6.65 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 | 8.38 |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4” TRS | XLR (balanced analog), RCA S/PDIF (digital) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| 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 | 17.6 lbs (8.0 kg) each |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.7kHz |
| Warranty | - | 2 years |
| Country | - | Germany |
| Maximum SPL | - | 118.7dB @ 1m half space (manufacturer specified) |
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- Genelec 8351B vs Neumann KH 150
- Neumann KH420 vs Neumann KH 150
- Genelec 8361A vs Neumann KH 150
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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 308P MKII: $298 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR308 (ranked lower, estimated 4.2/5).
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 →
| 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
Neumann KH 150: $3,398 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Neumann KH80 DSP (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the Neumann KH120 MKII (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.7/5), the Neumann KH 310 A (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.6/5), the Neumann KH420 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.8/5) and the Neumann KH 750 DSP (subwoofer, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: An exceptionally tight 1.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports neutral vocals and instruments. The measured ideal-subwoofer score is 8.38, with -3dB bass extension to 39.6Hz. DSP and optional MA 1 alignment offer useful control over room-related response errors. Measured bass extension of 39.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A two-way nearfield monitor cannot match the largest three-way systems for deep-bass output at distance. Keep the tweeter near ear height to avoid crossover-related changes off the vertical axis. MA 1 calibration requires additional equipment, and studio connections are less convenient than a consumer streaming system.
Full Neumann KH 150 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 245W total (145W woofer, 100W tweeter, 10% THD+N) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 39.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | Germany |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.7kHz |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 8.9”W x 10.7”D (345 x 225 x 273 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter, 6.5” woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz-20.4kHz +/-3dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced analog), RCA S/PDIF (digital) |
| Maximum SPL | 118.7dB @ 1m half space (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.65 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.38 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8.0 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons