Short answer: the JBL Studio 530. It ranks #23 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $399; the Dynaudio Emit M10 ranks #28 and costs $800, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Studio 530 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly flat on-axis response. Watch for: A peak around 1.4kHz is attributed to a tweeter resonance, and shows up as a distinct spike in harmonic distortion at that frequency along with a second resonance-driven bump around 2kHz.
On the Dynaudio Emit M10 side: CEA2034 spinorama shows impressive, headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, with a well-executed port that keeps resonance low below the crossover. Set against that: Tuned toward a mild showroom sound with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange - the reviewer prefers speakers that get the 100Hz-3kHz range right, which this doesn’t.
Buy the JBL Studio 530. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Emit M10 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 530 | Dynaudio Emit M10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 Discontinued | $800 |
| Ranked | #23 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz | - |
| Dimensions | 18.4"H x 8.4"W x 8.7"D (467 x 214 x 222 mm) | 11.5"H x 6.7"W x 9.4"D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | ~85dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5.25" (130mm) PolyPlas™ cone woofer with SFG magnet, 1" (25mm) compression driver with Teonex® diaphragm on Bi-Radial® horn | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- ELAC BS U5 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- KEF Q150 vs ELAC BS U5
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs ELAC BS U5
- KEF Q150 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Studio 530: $399 Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly flat on-axis response. Predicted in-room response is very smooth aside from the high-frequency roll-off.
Cons: A peak around 1.4kHz is attributed to a tweeter resonance, and shows up as a distinct spike in harmonic distortion at that frequency along with a second resonance-driven bump around 2kHz. Response rolls off in the high frequencies and the tuning is a bit bass-shy overall. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows the same 1kHz-region resonances lingering in time. Discontinued.
Full JBL Studio 530 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz |
| Dimensions | 18.4"H x 8.4"W x 8.7"D (467 x 214 x 222 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" (130mm) PolyPlas™ cone woofer with SFG magnet, 1" (25mm) compression driver with Teonex® diaphragm on Bi-Radial® horn |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | ~85dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Studio 530 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- JBL Studio 530 vs Boston Acoustics A25
- JBL Studio 530 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- JBL Studio 530 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- JBL Studio 530 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- JBL Studio 530 vs KEF Q150
- JBL Studio 530 vs ELAC BS U5
- JBL Studio 530 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- See all 19 comparisons
Dynaudio Emit M10: $800
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows impressive, headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, with a well-executed port that keeps resonance low below the crossover. 28mm soft dome tweeter and 14cm MSP mid/bass driver.
Cons: Tuned toward a mild showroom sound with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange - the reviewer prefers speakers that get the 100Hz-3kHz range right, which this doesn’t. His verdict: cheaper speakers deliver much more balanced tonality, so he wouldn’t buy it for himself.
Full Dynaudio Emit M10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.5"H x 6.7"W x 9.4"D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs ELAC BS U5
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Dynaudio X14
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL L52 Classic
- See all 17 comparisons