Short answer: the Genelec 8361A. It ranks #6 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $11,700; the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor ranks #59, rated 4.3/5, and costs $15,000, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor does well: A huge high output reference monitor with a 15 inch woofer and deep bass, built to play loud and clean from a distance. The catch: Its 4.1dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 6.58 ideal-subwoofer score do not support a top tonal-accuracy ranking.
The Genelec 8361A is the more accurate option. Big coaxial studio monitors with highly accurate sound, deep bass, and the headroom to play cleanly from farther away. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.76 against 5.74 for the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor. Watch for: Its larger size buys headroom, not uniformly better tonality than the smaller Ones models.
Buy the Genelec 8361A. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor reaches 21 Hz (10 dB down) against 29 Hz for the Genelec 8361A, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Genelec 8361A scores 8.1 against 6.6 for the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor | Genelec 8361A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15,000 per pair | $11,700 per pair |
| Ranked | #59 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #6 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 15” 2216Nd woofer; D2 compression driver in Image Control Waveguide | Dual 263 x 137 mm woofers, 5.1” coaxial with tweeter midrange, 1” (25mm) coaxial tweeter |
| Crossover Frequency | 800Hz active DSP | - |
| Weight | 130.1 lbs (59 kg) each | 70.3 lbs (31.9 kg) each |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB manufacturer specified | 118dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.74 | 6.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.58 | 8.08 |
| Amplifier Power | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required | 1000w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | None (passive cabinet driven by a matched Crown amplifier via speaker-level connection) | XLR |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 49.4”H x 20”W x 14”D (1256 x 508 x 355.6 mm) | 22.5”H x 14”W x 13.6”D (571.5 x 355.6 x 345.4 mm) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 30Hz - 43kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | Yes (GLM) |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | Yes (via GLM software) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Genelec 8361A: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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