Short answer: the JBL 708P for better sound quality, the Focal Solo6 ST6 for the lower price. The JBL 708P ranks #21 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $4000. The Focal Solo6 ST6 ranks #23 at $1499, $2501 cheaper.
The case for the JBL 708P: CEA2034 spinorama shows extremely good frequency response both on- and off-axis, with excellent horizontal directivity. The tradeoff: A port resonance creates a mild rise around 600-900Hz. Vertical dispersion is narrower than horizontal, so staying within a few degrees of the tweeter axis matters.
What the Focal Solo6 ST6 gets right: Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter over a 6.5” ‘W’ composite sandwich-cone woofer - a low-mass, low-distortion driver combination rarely found below far pricier monitors. The catch: Bass alignment Q is on the higher side, which can correlate with a touch of extra bass fullness/looseness versus a more critically-damped alignment.
Buy the JBL 708P if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Focal Solo6 ST6 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 708P | Focal Solo6 ST6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4000 | $1,499.00 |
| Ranked | #21 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 17.2"H x 9.8"W x 11.5"D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs / 11.4 kg each | - |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver | 1" Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" "W" composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | - |
| Maximum Output | - | 110dB peak at 1m |
| Amplification | - | 130W total, bi-amped (80W Class G LF + 50W Class AB HF) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL 4329P vs Klipsch The Sevens
- JBL 4329P vs Yamaha HS8
- JBL 4329P vs Klipsch The Nines
- JBL 708P vs Klipsch The Nines
- Focal Solo6 ST6 vs PSI Audio A21-M
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 708P: $4000 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows extremely good frequency response both on- and off-axis, with excellent horizontal directivity. Bi-amplified 500W design (250W woofer, 250W compression driver) handles an 8” woofer and JBL’s 2409H compression tweeter.
Cons: A port resonance creates a mild rise around 600-900Hz. Vertical dispersion is narrower than horizontal, so staying within a few degrees of the tweeter axis matters. Distortion climbs at 96dB SPL, with the tweeter reaching about 2.5% THD at elevated levels.
Full JBL 708P review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.2"H x 9.8"W x 11.5"D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs / 11.4 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Solo6 ST6: $1,499.00 B&H Photo Sweetwater
Pros: Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter over a 6.5” ‘W’ composite sandwich-cone woofer - a low-mass, low-distortion driver combination rarely found below far pricier monitors. Directivity control is the tightest of this entire batch (directivity_spdi_stddev 2.87), and the listening-window response is smooth (smoothness_listening_window 0.380). Bi-amped 130W total (80W Class G woofer + 50W Class AB tweeter), each driver on its own amplifier. ‘Focus Mode’ switches the cabinet to a single-driver full-range reference signature for a second mix-translation check without extra hardware. Bass reaches 46.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, solid for a 6.5” driver.
Cons: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.826) is on the higher side, which can correlate with a touch of extra bass fullness/looseness versus a more critically-damped alignment. XLR-only balanced input, no unbalanced/TRS or digital connectivity. No automatic DSP room correction - tuning is limited to fixed analog shelving/high-pass switches. At $1,499 each ($2,998/pair), it’s a meaningful step up from typical prosumer active monitors.
Full Focal Solo6 ST6 review and specifications →
| Amplification | 130W total, bi-amped (80W Class G LF + 50W Class AB HF) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1" Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" "W" composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| Maximum Output | 110dB peak at 1m |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons