Short answer: both are discontinued, and they are rated the same for sound quality (#28 and #66 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers). Either one is only an option used, so choose on condition and price. If you want one new, the JBL 308P MKII replaces the JBL LSR308 and is rated 4.4/5 at $298.
The case for the JBL LSR305: A budget bi-amplified studio monitor with a 5” woofer, a 1” soft dome tweeter in JBL’s Image Control Waveguide and 41W per driver. The catch: That data is low quality, digitized from a third-party chart, so the details are less certain than a full measurement.
What the JBL LSR308 does well: A bi-amplified 8” studio monitor with a 1” soft dome tweeter in JBL’s Image Control Waveguide, 56W per driver and switches to trim the bass and treble by 2dB. Watch for: Only JBL’s own measurement exists and spinorama.org could not compute a score from it, so the rating is estimated from its measured successor, the JBL 308P MKII, which kept the same waveguide design.
Buy the JBL LSR305 or the JBL LSR308, whichever you find used in better condition; both are discontinued. For a new speaker, buy the JBL 308P MKII, which replaces the JBL LSR308.
Worth knowing: the JBL LSR308 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.9 to 4.5, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL LSR305 | JBL LSR308 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.98 per pair Discontinued | $398 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #28 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #66 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter with Image Control Waveguide | 8” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter with Image Control Waveguide |
| Amplifier Power | 82W total (41W LF + 41W HF), class D | 112W total (56W LF + 56W HF), class D |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-24kHz (manufacturer specified) | 37Hz-24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 112dB C-weighted (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.9”D (298 x 185 x 251 mm) | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419 x 254 x 308 mm) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, third-party data via spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 41.4Hz (measured, third-party data via spinorama.org) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.98 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.12 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Inputs | - | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| EQ | - | Yes (HF and LF trim) |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 LSR305: $299.98 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL 305P MKII, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5, released Jan 2018. See every JBL 3 Series generation.
Same family: the JBL LSR308 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.2/5).
Pros: A budget bi-amplified studio monitor with a 5” woofer, a 1” soft dome tweeter in JBL’s Image Control Waveguide and 41W per driver. The only Spinorama data shows low on-axis deviation (0.26), a smooth predicted in-room response (0.88) and bass to 48.3Hz (-3dB), for a preference score of 5.98 that reaches 8.12 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 48.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: That data is low quality, digitized from a third-party chart, so the details are less certain than a full measurement. JBL replaced it with the JBL 305P MKII. Discontinued.
Full JBL LSR305 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 82W total (41W LF + 41W HF), class D |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 41.4Hz (measured, third-party data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, third-party data via spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.9”D (298 x 185 x 251 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter with Image Control Waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz-24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.98 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.12 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL LSR308: $398 per pair Discontinued Estimated eBay
Newer model: the JBL 308P MKII, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5, released Jun 2020. It drops adjustable EQ. See every JBL 3 Series generation.
Same family: the JBL LSR305 (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: A bi-amplified 8” studio monitor with a 1” soft dome tweeter in JBL’s Image Control Waveguide, 56W per driver and switches to trim the bass and treble by 2dB. JBL rates it from 37Hz to 24kHz and 112dB maximum SPL.
Cons: Only JBL’s own measurement exists and spinorama.org could not compute a score from it, so the rating is estimated from its measured successor, the JBL 308P MKII, which kept the same waveguide design. Inputs are XLR and TRS only. Discontinued.
Full JBL LSR308 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2013 (13 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 112W total (56W LF + 56W HF), class D |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419 x 254 x 308 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter with Image Control Waveguide |
| EQ | Yes (HF and LF trim) |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz-24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB C-weighted (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples