Short answer: the JBL 4305P. It ranks #15 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $2200; the Genelec S360 ranks #28 and costs $4775, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JBL 4305P: Erin measured a 45Hz F3 and heard solid 40–50Hz in-room extension—excellent for a compact 5.25-inch active monitor. Set against that: The limiter becomes conspicuous around 96dB: Erin measured about 8dB lost near 50Hz at the highest drive and achieved roughly 93dB unweighted at 2m in-room, so this is a near/midfield system rather than a high-output theater speaker.
What the Genelec S360 gets right: A large format 10 inch two way monitor built for main monitoring duty in film and post production, capable of a peak SPL over 128dB while retaining Genelec’s GLM calibrated Smart Active Monitoring and Directivity Control Waveguide. Watch for: The bass alignment measures the highest Q of any speaker in this batch, 1.16, meaning it’s the most likely of the ten to show a mild bump near its port tuning frequency rather than a clean rolloff.
Buy the JBL 4305P. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Genelec S360 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 4305P | Genelec S360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,200/pair | $4,775 each |
| Ranked | #15 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 39.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) | - |
| Maximum Output | ~93dB at 2m in-room before limiting (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Amplification | 300W system: 125W LF + 25W HF per speaker | - |
| Drivers | 5.25-inch pulp woofer; 1-inch annular compression driver | 1" titanium compression tweeter, 10" cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 13.2H x 8.3W x 8.8D inches | 20.9"H x 14.2"W x 14.2"D (530 x 360 x 360 mm) (20.9 x 14.2 x 14.2 in) |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Weight | - | 66.1 lbs / 30 kg (66.1 lbs) each |
| Power Output (Watts) | - | 350W total (250W woofer, 100W tweeter, Class D) |
| Frequency Response | - | 36Hz-22kHz -6dB |
| Max SPL | - | Peak 128dB |
| Warranty | - | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Country | - | Finland |
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- JBL 308P MKII vs Genelec 8341A
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Neumann KH 150
- Genelec S360 vs Focal Twin6 Be
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs JBL 4305P
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 4305P: $2,200/pair Amazon JBL
Pros: Erin measured a 45Hz F3 and heard solid 40–50Hz in-room extension—excellent for a compact 5.25-inch active monitor. Tonality is neutral and non-fatiguing, vocal coloration is absent, imaging is precise, and the HDI horn maintains near-constant horizontal directivity above 2kHz. Each speaker is bi-amplified (125W LF + 25W HF), while USB, optical, balanced analog, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth and 24/192 wired interconnect make this an unusually complete system. Grilles caused no meaningful response penalty.
Cons: The limiter becomes conspicuous around 96dB: Erin measured about 8dB lost near 50Hz at the highest drive and achieved roughly 93dB unweighted at 2m in-room, so this is a near/midfield system rather than a high-output theater speaker. A baffle discontinuity produces a 1–2kHz directivity mismatch that cannot be corrected uniformly in the vertical plane; stay within about +/-5° of tweeter height. Soundstage depth and layering trailed the KEF Reference 1 Meta, and wireless speaker linking caps resolution at 24/96.
Full JBL 4305P review and specifications →
| Amplification | 300W system: 125W LF + 25W HF per speaker |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.2H x 8.3W x 8.8D inches |
| Drivers | 5.25-inch pulp woofer; 1-inch annular compression driver |
| Maximum Output | ~93dB at 2m in-room before limiting (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
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Genelec S360: $4,775 each Bhphotovideo
Pros: A large format 10 inch two way monitor built for main monitoring duty in film and post production, capable of a peak SPL over 128dB while retaining Genelec’s GLM calibrated Smart Active Monitoring and Directivity Control Waveguide. Listening window smoothness measures a solid 0.52 and the measured extension point reaches 39.6Hz, unusually deep for a monitor this size.
Cons: The bass alignment measures the highest Q of any speaker in this batch, 1.16, meaning it’s the most likely of the ten to show a mild bump near its port tuning frequency rather than a clean rolloff. On axis deviation measures a moderate 0.478dB average. At roughly $9,550/pair and 30kg (66 lbs) each it is one of the largest and most expensive entries in this catalog, intended for professional control rooms rather than home listening, and the model has since been updated to the S360A, so pricing and minor spec details should be confirmed with a dealer before buying.
Full Genelec S360 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 39.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Country | Finland |
| Dimensions | 20.9"H x 14.2"W x 14.2"D (530 x 360 x 360 mm) (20.9 x 14.2 x 14.2 in) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium compression tweeter, 10" cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz-22kHz -6dB |
| Max SPL | Peak 128dB |
| Power Output (Watts) | 350W total (250W woofer, 100W tweeter, Class D) |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Weight | 66.1 lbs / 30 kg (66.1 lbs) each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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