Short answer: the Kali Audio IN-8 V2. It ranks #26 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $998; the JBL 708P ranks #39, rated 4.2/5, and costs $4,000, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
On the JBL 708P side: CEA2034 spinorama shows extremely good frequency response both on- and off-axis, with excellent horizontal directivity. Set against that: A port resonance creates a mild rise around 600-900Hz.
Buy the Kali Audio IN-8 V2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 708P and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio IN-8 V2 | JBL 708P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $998 per pair | $4000 per pair |
| Ranked | #26 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #39 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 17.8”H x 10”W x 11.3”D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) | 17.2”H x 9.8”W x 11.5”D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4 kg) each | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer | 8” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 140w Per Speaker | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.36 | 5.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.30 | 6.91 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM 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
Kali Audio IN-8 V2: $998 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: The IN-8 V2’s coaxial midrange/tweeter supports coherent imaging, and low distortion at ordinary levels complements its 7.30 ideal-subwoofer score. Measured -3dB extension of 45.4Hz provides useful bass; boundary settings assist placement. The front port allows placement near a wall without port noise problems. Measured bass extension of 44Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89dB.
Cons: The measured 3.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes unevenness that can make some vocals sound forward. Bass and limiter behavior constrain high-level playback. These measurements apply to the V2, not the first-generation IN-8. On-axis, the 4 to 5kHz range sounds forward; Kali recommends about 10° of toe-out, and some EQ helps.
Full Kali Audio IN-8 V2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 140w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.8”H x 10”W x 11.3”D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.36 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.30 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs JBL 4305P
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs JBL 308P MKII
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- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Kali Audio LP-6
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JBL 708P: $4000 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Erin’s measurements give 43.9Hz -3dB extension and a 6.91 ideal-subwoofer score, with useful bass from a professional active monitor. The waveguide and onboard processing make it a practical choice for a carefully installed studio system. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes audible-relevance irregularities, with port-region features and vertical crossover sensitivity. High-level distortion remains a constraint. Its professional positioning and amplifier power do not make it automatically more neutral than the cheaper 308P MKII. A port resonance adds a mild rise around 600 to 900Hz, and vertical dispersion is narrower than horizontal, so stay within a few degrees of the tweeter axis.
Full JBL 708P review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.2”H x 9.8”W x 11.5”D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.91 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons