Short answer: the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor. It ranks #1 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the Genelec 8050B ranks #8.
On the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor side: Flagship quasi-active two-way with a 15-inch 2216Nd woofer and D2 compression driver crossing near 800Hz through a large Image Control Waveguide. Set against that: The required bi-amplification/DSP ecosystem is expensive and complex; Erin’s Crown I-Tech 5000HD had fans loud enough that he moved it to another room for measurements.
What the Genelec 8050B gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a very good on-axis response with excellent directivity. The catch: A dip around 2kHz shows up in both the on-axis and predicted in-room measurements.
Buy the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Genelec 8050B if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor | Genelec 8050B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Contact dealer | $3800 |
| Ranked | #1 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #8 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (externally bi-amplified DSP system) | - |
| Drivers | 15" 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| Crossover | 800Hz active DSP | - |
| Max SPL | 123dB manufacturer specified | - |
| Weight | 130 lb each | 31.7 lbs / 14.4 kg each |
| Amplification | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | - | 17.8"H x 11.3"W x 10.9"D (452.1 x 287 x 276.9 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | - | XLR |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | - | No |
| Output Power | - | 270w Per Speaker |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Genelec 8040B vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs JBL 4305P
- Genelec 8040B vs JBL 4329P
- Genelec 8050B vs JBL 708P
- Genelec 8050B vs Neumann KH 310 A
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor: Contact dealer JBL Professional Dealer Locator
Pros: Flagship quasi-active two-way with a 15-inch 2216Nd woofer and D2 compression driver crossing near 800Hz through a large Image Control Waveguide. Erin measured F3 at 34Hz, less than 1% THD at 86 and 96dB, and only about 0.25dB compression by 102dB. Radiation stays broadly constant to roughly +/-60 degrees through 8-9kHz, producing excellent direct/reflected-sound agreement and enormous clean dynamic range. External DSP amplification permits precise factory crossover, phase and response correction.
Cons: The required bi-amplification/DSP ecosystem is expensive and complex; Erin’s Crown I-Tech 5000HD had fans loud enough that he moved it to another room for measurements. Midrange resonances remain visible despite the otherwise neutral response, and treble dispersion narrows above roughly 9kHz before beaming above 12kHz. Each 130-pound enclosure is physically imposing. This is an amplified system, so passive impedance and sensitivity figures are not applicable to the complete configured product.
Full JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor review and specifications →
| Amplification | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover | 800Hz active DSP |
| Drivers | 15" 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide |
| Max SPL | 123dB manufacturer specified |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (externally bi-amplified DSP system) |
| Weight | 130 lb each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Kii THREE
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Dutch & Dutch 8C
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Neumann KH420
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Genelec 8361A
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Genelec 8351B
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Genelec 8040B
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Kali Audio IN-8
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Neumann KH 310 A
- See all 11 comparisons
Genelec 8050B: $3800 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a very good on-axis response with excellent directivity. Predicted in-room response is smooth, with only a 2kHz dip as a real issue. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±50 degrees is very smooth and well controlled. Vertical directivity is similarly even outside the 2kHz region, as long as listening position stays within about ±20 degrees of the woofer’s border. Distortion at 96dB SPL/1m is typical low-frequency behavior with the rest of the range well controlled.
Cons: A dip around 2kHz shows up in both the on-axis and predicted in-room measurements. An unexplained distortion spike appears around 10-15kHz at 96dB SPL/1m that the reviewer couldn’t identify a clear cause for. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows a port resonance lingering in the upper-bass/lower-midrange region. Very expensive.
Full Genelec 8050B review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 11.3"W x 10.9"D (452.1 x 287 x 276.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 270w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs / 14.4 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons