Short answer: the JBL 308P MKII. It ranks #22 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $249; the Palmer Orbit 11 ranks #35 and costs $766, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the JBL 308P MKII offers: A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.89 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Palmer Orbit 11 offers: A 27.8Hz measured -3dB point provides genuinely deep standalone bass. The 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, and the coaxial arrangement offers a compact acoustic source for nearfield listening. Watch for: Its 6.20 ideal-subwoofer score is more modest than the narrow midrange span alone suggests; response outside that band and off-axis behavior also matter. Deep-bass extension does not prove high-level headroom. Studio-oriented connections and setup are less convenient than an all-in-one consumer pair.
Buy the JBL 308P MKII. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Palmer Orbit 11 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 308P MKII | Palmer Orbit 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $498 per pair | $1,532 per pair |
| Ranked | #22 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #35 of 67 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 27.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 21.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 10"W x 12.1"D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) | 8.5" x 11.5" x 11.5" (217 x 293 x 292 mm) each |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Weight | not published by manufacturer | 30.6 lbs (13.9 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter | 1" tweeter + 6.5" midrange (coaxial), 2x 8" woofers |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 112W total | 1000W peak / 400W RMS total; Tri-amped Class D |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 | 5.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.89 | 6.20 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 116dB peak at 1m |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL 308P MKII compares with other leading options:
- AsciLab C8C vs JBL 308P MKII
- Mesanovic CDM65 vs JBL 308P MKII
- JBL 308P MKII vs Genelec 8351B
- JBL 308P MKII vs Neumann KH420
- Genelec 8361A vs JBL 308P MKII
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 308P MKII: $498 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.89 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 82Hz (-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.
Full JBL 308P MKII review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 112W total |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.89 |
| Weight | not published by manufacturer |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Palmer Orbit 11: $1,532 per pair Thomann eBay
Pros: A 27.8Hz measured -3dB point provides genuinely deep standalone bass. The 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, and the coaxial arrangement offers a compact acoustic source for nearfield listening. Measured bass extension of 27.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its 6.20 ideal-subwoofer score is more modest than the narrow midrange span alone suggests; response outside that band and off-axis behavior also matter. Deep-bass extension does not prove high-level headroom. Studio-oriented connections and setup are less convenient than an all-in-one consumer pair.
Full Palmer Orbit 11 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1000W peak / 400W RMS total; Tri-amped Class D |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 27.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 11.5" x 11.5" (217 x 293 x 292 mm) each |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 6.5" midrange (coaxial), 2x 8" woofers |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB peak at 1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.20 |
| Weight | 30.6 lbs (13.9 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Focal Trio6 ST6
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Yamaha HS8
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Cambridge Audio L/R X
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Palmer Orbit 11 vs Adam Audio T8V
- See all 18 comparisons