Short answer: the JBL 708P for directivity, the Yamaha HS8 for a neutral mixing tool. The HS8 is good for mixing and anything needing a neutral output, with a slight midrange boost as its noted flaw. The 708P is extremely good both on and off axis with excellent horizontal directivity, though a port resonance creates a mild rise around 600-900Hz.
Buy the Yamaha HS8. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 708P and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 708P | Yamaha HS8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4000 per pair | $797.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #39 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 17.2”H x 9.8”W x 11.5”D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) | 15.4”H x 9.8”W x 13.1”D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) | 120w Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.03 | 5.85 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.91 | 7.58 |
| 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 |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 708P: $4000 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
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
Yamaha HS8: $797.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR measurements support broadly neutral sound: a 2.3dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.58 ideal-subwoofer score. Measured -3dB bass extension of 43.9Hz gives useful weight for music, with straightforward analog connections and room-adjustment controls. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its response and off-axis behavior are not as refined as the leading monitors. Vertical positioning around the crossover matters, and a subwoofer remains useful for deep bass. Basic rear-panel controls do not replace measured room correction.
Full Yamaha HS8 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 15.4”H x 9.8”W x 13.1”D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.85 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons