Short answer: the Topping MA4. It ranks #11 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5) and is still sold new; the JBL One Series 104 ranks #93 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The case for the JBL One Series 104: ASR’s powered-system measurement gives -3dB bass around 72Hz, and the compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desk. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Topping MA4 lacks. The tradeoff: Even with the active system measured properly, scores are only 1.36 standalone and 4.08 with an ideal subwoofer.
The Topping MA4 is the better-sounding pick. The selected manufacturer-supplied Klippel data shows a 1.6dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, bass reaching -3dB around 50Hz, and preference scores of 5.64 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer. Watch for: The native listening-window response is not as smooth as the leading Genelec and Neumann measurements.
Buy the Topping MA4. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL One Series 104 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL One Series 104 | Topping MA4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129 per pair Discontinued | €449 per pair |
| Ranked | #93 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #11 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) | 49.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) | 42.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Drivers | 4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter | 1” soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 4” paper cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) | 10”H x 5.5”W x 11.3”D (255 x 140 x 288 mm) |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave) | 8.3 lbs (3.78 kg) each |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 49Hz-20kHz +/-3dB |
| Amplifier Power | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) | 75W total (50W woofer, 25W tweeter, Class D) |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) | - |
| DSP | Yes | - |
| Inputs | 1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux | XLR (balanced analog) |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Sensitivity | - | 92dB |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.3kHz |
| Warranty | - | 1-2 years (varies by region) |
| Country | - | China |
| Maximum SPL | - | 105dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.83 |
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- Genelec 8320A vs Topping MA4
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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 One Series 104: $129 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: ASR’s powered-system measurement gives -3dB bass around 72Hz, and the compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desk. Its internal equalization is part of the working speaker and should be included when assessing it, rather than judging the passive drivers with that correction bypassed. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Even with the active system measured properly, scores are only 1.36 standalone and 4.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The 4.9dB midrange span and a high-frequency cancellation around 7.4kHz indicate significant unevenness; the review also found some vocals bright and irritating. These are results for the original 104, not a verification of the later 104-BT. Discontinued.
Full JBL One Series 104 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Drivers | 4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave) |
| XLR Input | No |
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Topping MA4: €449 per pair Audiophonics eBay
Pros: The selected manufacturer-supplied Klippel data shows a 1.6dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, bass reaching -3dB around 50Hz, and preference scores of 5.64 standalone and 7.83 with an ideal subwoofer. That is strong measured tonal performance for a compact monitor. Its analog crossover and balanced XLR connection suit an existing audio interface. Measured bass extension of 49.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The native listening-window response is not as smooth as the leading Genelec and Neumann measurements. No USB, Bluetooth or built-in room-correction DSP: source control and correction need external equipment. Bass extension alone does not establish clean output capability. On-axis narrow-band deviation measures 0.503dB and listening-window smoothness a moderate 0.44.
Full Topping MA4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75W total (50W woofer, 25W tweeter, Class D) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | China |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.3kHz |
| Dimensions | 10”H x 5.5”W x 11.3”D (255 x 140 x 288 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” soft dome tweeter with waveguide, 4” paper cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-20kHz +/-3dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced analog) |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 92dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 1-2 years (varies by region) |
| Weight | 8.3 lbs (3.78 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons