Short answer: the Genelec 8341A. It ranks #7 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $7,350. The JBL 708P ranks #62, rated 4.2/5, at $3,798, $3,552 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the JBL 708P: Erin’s measurements give 43.9Hz -3dB extension and a 6.91 ideal-subwoofer score, with useful bass from a professional active monitor. The catch: The 2.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes audible-relevance irregularities, with port-region features and vertical crossover sensitivity.
The Genelec 8341A is the more accurate option. An 8.52 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 1.2dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz place the measured vertical configuration among the strongest tonal performers here. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.75 against 5.03 for the JBL 708P. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL 708P lacks. The tradeoff: Measured -3dB extension is 47.6Hz, so the larger 8351B and 8361A provide more useful low-end reach and headroom.
Buy the Genelec 8341A. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $3,552 with the JBL 708P does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 708P | Genelec 8341A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,798 per pair | $7,350 per pair |
| Ranked | #62 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 36.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Dimensions | 17.2”H x 9.8”W x 11.5”D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) | 13.8” x 9.3” x 9.6” (351 x 237 x 243 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 338Hz - 37kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver | 2x 6.5” woofers, 3.5” midrange, 0.75” tweeter (coaxial mid/tweeter) |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | 550W total (250W bass, 150W mid, 150W treble) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.03 | 6.75 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.91 | 8.52 |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) | XLR, AES/EBU |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Genelec 8341A:
- Genelec 8341A vs Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Active Pro
- Genelec 8341A vs Adam Audio S2V
- Neumann KH 310 A vs Genelec 8341A
- JBL 308P MKII vs Genelec 8341A
- Yamaha HS8 vs Genelec 8341A
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 708P: $3,798 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL LSR6328P (ranked higher, rated 4.6/5).
Same family: the JBL 705P (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.9/5).
Pros: Erin’s measurements give 43.9Hz -3dB extension and a 6.91 ideal-subwoofer score, with useful bass from a professional active monitor. The waveguide and onboard processing make it a practical choice for a carefully installed studio system. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes audible-relevance irregularities, with port-region features and vertical crossover sensitivity. High-level distortion remains a constraint. Its professional positioning and amplifier power do not make it automatically more neutral than the cheaper 308P MKII. A port resonance adds a mild rise around 600 to 900Hz, and vertical dispersion is narrower than horizontal, so stay within a few degrees of the tweeter axis.
Full JBL 708P review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.91 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Genelec 8341A: $7,350 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Genelec 8331A (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.8/5), the Genelec 8351B (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.8/5), the Genelec 8361A (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.8/5) and the Genelec 8381A (floorstanding, estimated 4.9/5).
Pros: An 8.52 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 1.2dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz place the measured vertical configuration among the strongest tonal performers here. Coaxial radiation and GLM support precise nearfield imaging and room integration. Measured bass extension of 47.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Measured -3dB extension is 47.6Hz, so the larger 8351B and 8361A provide more useful low-end reach and headroom. The review found bass-output limitations at demanding levels. Its excellent ideal-subwoofer score should not be read as equivalent full-range output to those larger models.
Full Genelec 8341A review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 550W total (250W bass, 150W mid, 150W treble) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36.9Hz (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 | 13.8” x 9.3” x 9.6” (351 x 237 x 243 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” woofers, 3.5” midrange, 0.75” tweeter (coaxial mid/tweeter) |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 338Hz - 37kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.75 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.52 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Genelec 8341A vs Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Active Pro
- Genelec 8341A vs Adam Audio S2V
- Genelec 8341A vs Neumann KH 310 A
- Genelec 8341A vs JBL 308P MKII
- Genelec 8341A vs Yamaha HS8
- Genelec 8341A vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Genelec 8341A vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Genelec 8341A vs Genelec 8050B
- See all 22 comparisons