Short answer: the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor. It ranks #1 of 31 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the Genelec 8361A ranks #5.
What the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor offers: Flagship quasi-active two-way with a 15-inch 2216Nd woofer and D2 compression driver crossing near 800Hz through a large Image Control Waveguide. Watch for: 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 8361A offers: Three-way coaxial design: 5” mid-range with an inset 1” metal dome tweeter, flanked symmetrically above and below by two 10” front-loaded woofers, giving nearly identical vertical response whether you’re sitting or standing. Watch for: Approximately $11,000 per pair; Genelec’s GLM room-correction add-on (measurement mic plus software) is another ~$450 and wasn’t used in this review.
Buy the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Genelec 8361A if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor | Genelec 8361A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Contact dealer | $10900 |
| Ranked | #1 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #5 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (externally bi-amplified DSP system) | - |
| 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 | 800Hz active DSP | - |
| Max SPL | 123dB manufacturer specified | 118dB @ 1m |
| Weight | 130 lb each | 70.3 lbs / 31.9 kg each |
| Amplification | External two-channel amplification and JBL DSP tuning required | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | - | 22.5"H x 14"W x 13.6"D (571.5 x 355.6 x 345.4 mm) |
| Inputs | - | XLR |
| App | - | Yes (GLM) |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | Yes (via GLM software) |
| Frequency Response | - | 30Hz - 43kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 1000w Per Speaker |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Dutch & Dutch 8C vs Neumann KH420
- Genelec 8351B vs Neumann KH420
- Kii THREE vs JBL 4329P
- Genelec 8361A vs Neumann KH420
- JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor vs Neumann KH420
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 |
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Genelec 8361A: $10900 Bhphotovideo
Pros: Three-way coaxial design: 5” mid-range with an inset 1” metal dome tweeter, flanked symmetrically above and below by two 10” front-loaded woofers, giving nearly identical vertical response whether you’re sitting or standing. Wide, consistent horizontal radiation of about ±60°, very forgiving for multiple seats or a home-theater row. Distortion at both 86dB and 96dB/1m stays below roughly 1%, and multitone distortion is also under about 1% - among the cleanest speakers reviewed. Long-term compression is practically non-existent, with no woofer bottoming or audible intermodulation even driven to 90dB+ at 10 feet. In-room bass extension reaches down to about 35Hz without a subwoofer. Extensive back-panel tuning (bass rolloff, bass profile, treble profile, and a desk/console compensation switch) for boundary placement.
Cons: Approximately $11,000 per pair; Genelec’s GLM room-correction add-on (measurement mic plus software) is another ~$450 and wasn’t used in this review. Shows an on-axis dip around 200Hz that may be tied to some rear-panel radiation or resonance the reviewer couldn’t fully explain. In far-field listening there’s a mild upper-midrange/lower-treble rise (roughly 2-3kHz) that only smooths out with 5-10° of toe-out or closer near-field placement. Short-term compression testing shows some tweeter limiting, though it didn’t translate to audible issues in real-world listening. At about 70 lbs, awkward to lift onto a stand alone.
Full Genelec 8361A review and specifications →
| App | Yes (GLM) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 22.5"H x 14"W x 13.6"D (571.5 x 355.6 x 345.4 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 263 x 137 mm woofers, 5.1" coaxial with tweeter midrange, 1" (25mm) coaxial tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via GLM software) |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 43kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 118dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 1000w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 70.3 lbs / 31.9 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