Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks #36 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $399; the JBL 705P ranks #42, rated 3.9/5, and costs $2,198, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL 705P is the deeper-bass pick. ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Its bass reaches about 47.6Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. The catch: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span.
The case for the Audioengine A5+ Classic: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL 705P lacks. The catch: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 705P and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 705P | Audioengine A5+ Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,198 per pair | $399.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #36 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.70 | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 | 7.06 |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) | RCA, Aux |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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 705P: $2,198 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the JBL 708P (larger bookshelf, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Its waveguided compression driver and dedicated amplification are suited to studio use, and the broad response trend is close to level. It has useful low-frequency reach for a five-inch monitor. Measured bass extension of 47.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span. A crossover-region rise also prevents reference-flat reproduction. An average flat trend does not erase these features, and amplifier wattage is not a measured clean-SPL rating. The data does not support calling it uniformly flat simply because it shares technology with larger JBL models.
Full JBL 705P review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399.00 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Audioengine A2+ (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The analog powered pair is straightforward to use without an external amplifier. The measured result supports a more capable tonal balance than its former low position suggested. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments. The existing review reports crossover-region directivity errors and a distortion feature around 800-900Hz. The score does not make it a reference monitor, and adding a subwoofer cannot correct those midrange and off-axis issues.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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