Short answer: the Kali Audio LP-6. It ranks #29 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $298; the JBL 306P MKII ranks #35 and costs $398, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Kali Audio LP-6 gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows generally flat on-axis response with excellent horizontal and vertical directivity. The catch: Port resonance creates bumps around 900Hz-1kHz in the frequency response.
On the JBL 306P MKII side: CEA2034 spinorama shows a nice, smooth on-axis response with very good directivity control for a compact 6.5” monitor. Set against that: A narrow but noticeable dip around 1.6kHz shows up in the on-axis and listening-window curves.
Buy the Kali Audio LP-6. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL 306P MKII and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the JBL 306P MKII. It ranks near the bottom of the 40 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio LP-6 | JBL 306P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $298 Discontinued | $398 |
| Ranked | #29 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #35 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.8"W x 10.3"D (358.8 x 222.3 x 260.4 mm) | 16.1"H x 11.2"W x 12.9"D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 21kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg each | 13.4 lbs / 6.1 kg each |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer, 1" textile dome tweeter | 6.5" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 80W total (40W LF, 40W HF) | 112W total |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Thomann Swissonic A306 vs KRK Rokit 8 G4
- Adam Audio T8V vs KRK Rokit 8 G4
- KRK Rokit 8 G4 vs KRK Rokit 7 G4
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Kali Audio LP-6
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs JBL 306P MKII
The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio LP-6: $298 Discontinued Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows generally flat on-axis response with excellent horizontal and vertical directivity. Deep bass distortion stays below the fundamental tone throughout testing, and the noise floor is low enough that hiss isn’t audible at normal listening distance. Exceptional value at $298 per pair.
Cons: Port resonance creates bumps around 900Hz-1kHz in the frequency response. Distortion measurements are worse than the on-axis response alone would suggest. Diffraction causes a treble rise above 10kHz, and bass shelves down slightly in the low end. Discontinued.
Full Kali Audio LP-6 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.8"W x 10.3"D (358.8 x 222.3 x 260.4 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer, 1" textile dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 21kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 80W total (40W LF, 40W HF) |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 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
JBL 306P MKII: $398 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a nice, smooth on-axis response with very good directivity control for a compact 6.5” monitor. Dual 56W Class D amps keep the design affordable at $398 per pair while following JBL’s well-regarded 300-series voicing.
Cons: A narrow but noticeable dip around 1.6kHz shows up in the on-axis and listening-window curves. Distortion runs classically high for this series, reaching around 5% near 200Hz at 96dB SPL. Amplifier hiss is audible from roughly 2 feet away, and the monitor runs out of headroom at higher volumes.
Full JBL 306P MKII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1"H x 11.2"W x 12.9"D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 112W total |
| Weight | 13.4 lbs / 6.1 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