Short answer: the Neumann KH420 for better sound quality, the JBL 708P for the lower price. The Neumann KH420 ranks #4 of 61 powered bookshelf speakers at $10500. The JBL 708P ranks #22 at $4000, $6500 cheaper.
What the JBL 708P offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Neumann KH420 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows an extended, flat on-axis response that matches Neumann’s own published measurement to within 0.08dB at its one minor dip (around 60Hz), with excellent off-axis behavior. Predicted in-room response is smooth and rated “excellent” by the reviewer. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±55 degrees is very well controlled and stays consistent across frequency. Distortion is low at 86dB SPL/1m. Exceptionally high sustained output capability - the reviewer needed to “hold on for dear life” during extreme-level testing at 7 feet, with bass output described as making the entire house resonate. Reviewer’s overall verdict was “Great,” placing it on the recommended list and calling it a speaker “you could buy and forget about upgrading ever again.” Watch for: Horizontal beamwidth, while well controlled, is on the narrow side at about ±55 degrees. Vertical directivity is more limited than horizontal - the reviewer recommends staying within about ±30 degrees of the reference axis (just below the tweeter waveguide edge). Distortion rises noticeably in the bass region at 96dB SPL/1m, with an unusual 3rd-harmonic uptick appearing near 10kHz at that output level. At 106dB SPL/1m, the tweeter’s protection limiting engages and the clipping indicator activates - a real, measurable output ceiling despite the speaker’s otherwise very high capability. Very expensive.
Buy the JBL 708P if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Neumann KH420 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 708P | Neumann KH420 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4000 | $10500 |
| Ranked | #22 of 61 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 61 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | 555w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | - | XLR |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| Max SPL | - | 124dB @ 1m |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Genelec 8361A vs Genelec 8050B
- Genelec 8361A vs Neumann KH 150
- Genelec 8361A vs Buchardt A500
- Neumann KH420 vs Genelec 8050B
- Neumann KH420 vs Neumann KH 310 A
Prices on this page were last checked August 24, 2026 at 6:53 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: $4000 Bhphotovideo eBay
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Neumann KH420: $10500 Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an extended, flat on-axis response that matches Neumann’s own published measurement to within 0.08dB at its one minor dip (around 60Hz), with excellent off-axis behavior. Predicted in-room response is smooth and rated “excellent” by the reviewer. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±55 degrees is very well controlled and stays consistent across frequency. Distortion is low at 86dB SPL/1m. Exceptionally high sustained output capability - the reviewer needed to “hold on for dear life” during extreme-level testing at 7 feet, with bass output described as making the entire house resonate. Reviewer’s overall verdict was “Great,” placing it on the recommended list and calling it a speaker “you could buy and forget about upgrading ever again.”
Cons: Horizontal beamwidth, while well controlled, is on the narrow side at about ±55 degrees. Vertical directivity is more limited than horizontal - the reviewer recommends staying within about ±30 degrees of the reference axis (just below the tweeter waveguide edge). Distortion rises noticeably in the bass region at 96dB SPL/1m, with an unusual 3rd-harmonic uptick appearing near 10kHz at that output level. At 106dB SPL/1m, the tweeter’s protection limiting engages and the clipping indicator activates - a real, measurable output ceiling despite the speaker’s otherwise very high capability. Very expensive.
Full Neumann KH420 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 124dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 555w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 77.2 lbs / 35 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons