Short answer: the JBL 4305P if sound quality matters most, the JBL 306P MKII if price matters most. The JBL 4305P ranks #40 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $1,499.99. The JBL 306P MKII ranks #67, rated 4.1/5, at $238, $1,261.99 cheaper.
The JBL 4305P is the better-sounding pick. The measured 1.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, with a 7.45 ideal-subwoofer score and 45.4Hz -3dB bass extension. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL 306P MKII lacks. Watch for: Crossover-region directivity changes mean the narrow on-axis span does not describe every listening angle.
The case for the JBL 306P MKII: A 6.94 ideal-subwoofer score and 46.9Hz measured -3dB extension make this a useful affordable nearfield monitor. The catch: The 3.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz is less even than the JBL 308P MKII’s, with midrange resonances affecting neutrality.
Buy the JBL 4305P when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the JBL 306P MKII when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 4305P | JBL 306P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.99 per pair | $238 per pair |
| Ranked | #40 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #67 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Maximum SPL | ~93dB at 2m in-room before limiting (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 300W system: 125W LF + 25W HF per speaker | 112W total |
| Drivers | 5.25-inch pulp woofer; 1-inch annular compression driver | 6.5” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter |
| Dimensions | 13.2H x 8.3W x 8.8D inches | 16.1”H x 11.2”W x 12.9”D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.44 | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.45 | 6.94 |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo, 3.5mm Aux, Optical, USB-B, Ethernet | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Weight | Primary 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg), Secondary 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) each |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
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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 4305P: $1,499.99 per pair Amazon JBL eBay
Pros: The measured 1.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, with a 7.45 ideal-subwoofer score and 45.4Hz -3dB bass extension. Integrated consumer connectivity makes this a more convenient living-room system than many studio monitors. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Crossover-region directivity changes mean the narrow on-axis span does not describe every listening angle. Limiting becomes relevant at high output, particularly with bass-heavy music. It suits near- to midfield listening better than the largest high-output systems here. Erin measured about 8dB lost near 50Hz at the highest drive level and reached roughly 93dB unweighted at 2m in-room.
Full JBL 4305P review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 300W system: 125W LF + 25W HF per speaker |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.2H x 8.3W x 8.8D inches |
| Drivers | 5.25-inch pulp woofer; 1-inch annular compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo, 3.5mm Aux, Optical, USB-B, Ethernet |
| Maximum SPL | ~93dB at 2m in-room before limiting (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.44 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.45 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | Primary 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg), Secondary 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 306P MKII: $238 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the JBL 305P MKII (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the JBL 308P MKII (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: A 6.94 ideal-subwoofer score and 46.9Hz measured -3dB extension make this a useful affordable nearfield monitor. The waveguide supports broad horizontal listening coverage, and basic boundary controls help with setup. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz is less even than the JBL 308P MKII’s, with midrange resonances affecting neutrality. Hiss can matter at a quiet desk, while bass distortion limits demanding playback. A subwoofer improves bandwidth but does not remove the midrange irregularities. A narrow dip around 1.6kHz shows in the on-axis and listening-window curves.
Full JBL 306P MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 112W total |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1”H x 11.2”W x 12.9”D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.94 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons