Short answer: the Neumann KH420 for better sound quality, the JBL 708P for the lower price. The Neumann KH420 ranks #5 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.8/5, at $11,198. The JBL 708P ranks #62, rated 4.2/5, at $3,798, $7,400 cheaper.
Why pick 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. Watch for: The 2.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes audible-relevance irregularities, with port-region features and vertical crossover sensitivity.
The Neumann KH420 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. A 1.2dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz, 8.14 ideal-subwoofer score and 27.8Hz measured -3dB extension combine accurate mids with genuinely deep bass. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 7.02 against 5.03 for the JBL 708P. Its bass reaches about 27.8Hz before falling 3dB, against 43.9Hz for the JBL 708P. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL 708P lacks. The catch: It is a large, heavy studio monitor rather than an easy desktop speaker.
Buy the JBL 708P if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Neumann KH420 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 708P | Neumann KH420 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,798 per pair | $11,198 per pair |
| Ranked | #62 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #5 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 27.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 24.4Hz (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) | 25.4”H x 13”W x 17.5”D (645.2 x 330.2 x 444.5 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 31Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each | 77.2 lbs (35 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver | 10” woofer, 4” dome midrange, 1” fabric dome tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| EQ | No | Yes (Room response controls) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | 555w Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.03 | 7.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.91 | 8.14 |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) | XLR |
| 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 | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 124dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Neumann KH420 vs Neumann KH 150
- Dutch & Dutch 8C vs Neumann KH420
- Neumann KH420 vs Neumann KH 310 A
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
Neumann KH420: $11,198 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Neumann KH80 DSP (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the Neumann KH120 MKII (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.7/5), the Neumann KH 150 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.8/5), the Neumann KH 310 A (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.6/5) and the Neumann KH 750 DSP (subwoofer, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: A 1.2dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz, 8.14 ideal-subwoofer score and 27.8Hz measured -3dB extension combine accurate mids with genuinely deep bass. Its three-way design and low distortion at normal levels make it particularly attractive for larger listening distances and dynamic material. Measured bass extension of 27.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: It is a large, heavy studio monitor rather than an easy desktop speaker. Vertical alignment matters around the crossover regions. Bass distortion rises as playback levels increase, and the measured high-level limits still apply despite the substantial drivers and amplifiers. Horizontal beamwidth is well controlled but on the narrow side at about ±55°.
Full Neumann KH420 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 555w Per Speaker |
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 27.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 25.4”H x 13”W x 17.5”D (645.2 x 330.2 x 444.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” woofer, 4” dome midrange, 1” fabric dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room response controls) |
| Frequency Response | 31Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.14 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 77.2 lbs (35 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons