Short answer: the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor for better sound quality, the JBL 708P for the lower price. The JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor ranks #56 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $15,000. The JBL 708P ranks #62, rated 4.2/5, at $3,798, $11,202 cheaper.
What the JBL 708P does well: 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 JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A high-output specialist: Erin’s low-distortion and compression tests support considerable dynamic capability, beyond what a single preference score captures. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.74 against 5.03 for the JBL 708P. Its bass reaches about 34Hz before falling 3dB, against 43.9Hz for the JBL 708P. The catch: Its 4.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.58 ideal-subwoofer score do not support a top tonal-accuracy ranking.
Buy the JBL 708P if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor if sound quality is the priority over the price.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 708P | JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,798 per pair | $15,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #62 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #56 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 21.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 17.2”H x 9.8”W x 11.5”D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) | 49.4”H x 20”W x 14”D (1256 x 508 x 355.6 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each | 130.1 lbs (59 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver | 15” 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.03 | 5.74 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.91 | 6.58 |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) | None (passive cabinet driven by a matched Crown amplifier via speaker-level connection) |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| 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 | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 800Hz active DSP |
| Maximum SPL | - | 123dB manufacturer specified |
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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 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 JBL 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
JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor: $15,000 per pair JBL Professional Dealer Locator eBay
Pros: A high-output specialist: Erin’s low-distortion and compression tests support considerable dynamic capability, beyond what a single preference score captures. Measured -3dB extension is 33.7Hz. The large woofer and waveguide are particularly useful for greater listening distances. Measured bass extension of 34Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its 4.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.58 ideal-subwoofer score do not support a top tonal-accuracy ranking. It requires the correct external amplification and DSP rather than a simple built-in amplifier. The very large cabinet, installation cost and possible amplifier fan noise make it impractical for most desks.
Full JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Crossover Frequency | 800Hz active DSP |
| Dimensions | 49.4”H x 20”W x 14”D (1256 x 508 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 15” 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | None (passive cabinet driven by a matched Crown amplifier via speaker-level connection) |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB manufacturer specified |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.74 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.58 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 130.1 lbs (59 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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