Short answer: the JBL 705P. It ranks #43 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5) at $2,198 and is still sold new; the Neumi BS5P ranks #51 (rated 3.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Neumi BS5P’s replacement, the Neumi BS5P-ARC, is rated 3.8/5.
The JBL 705P is the deeper-bass choice. 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 90.8Hz for the Neumi BS5P. The tradeoff: 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 Neumi BS5P: Erin’s retest with corrected tweeter polarity, updated internal EQ and plugged ports gives a much more neutral result: 4.83 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The tradeoff: That result is conditional on the tested firmware and port configuration, not a guarantee for an unknown stock or used pair.
Buy the JBL 705P. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Neumi BS5P is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 705P | Neumi BS5P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,198 per pair | $150 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #43 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 90.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 56.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) | 10.6” x 7.2” x 8.5” (269 x 183 x 216 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical in-room) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 5” fiberglass woofer |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | 75W total |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.70 | 4.83 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 | 7.83 |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) | Bluetooth, optical, coaxial and RCA |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension | - | Erin’s response shows usable midbass but limited deep-bass headroom |
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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 705P: $2,198 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the JBL 708P (larger bookshelf, rated 4.2/5) and the JBL 708i (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5). See every JBL 7 Series generation.
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
Neumi BS5P: $150 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Neumi BS5P-ARC, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5. See every Neumi BS5P generation.
Pros: Erin’s retest with corrected tweeter polarity, updated internal EQ and plugged ports gives a much more neutral result: 4.83 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The reviewer also found that configuration substantially better in listening. Its analog and digital inputs make it a flexible inexpensive system. Measured bass extension of 90.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: That result is conditional on the tested firmware and port configuration, not a guarantee for an unknown stock or used pair. The first sample had reversed tweeter polarity, so its poor initial result should not be generalized to every unit either. Plugged-port bass reaches -3dB around 91Hz. Confirm configuration before expecting the improved balance; tonal scores do not remove output limits. Discontinued.
Full Neumi BS5P review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75W total |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension | Erin’s response shows usable midbass but limited deep-bass headroom |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 7.2” x 8.5” (269 x 183 x 216 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter; 5” fiberglass woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical in-room) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, optical, coaxial and RCA |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.83 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons