Short answer: the JBL 308P MKII. Its CEA2034 spinorama is essentially flat from 45Hz to above 15kHz with almost no directivity error, with only a resonance around 18kHz and a slight dip near 1.4kHz. The LP-8’s own notes recommend the newer V2 instead and concede that the Eris 8 beats it by a little bit.
The case for the Kali Audio LP-8: Note the newer V2 is out which could be a little better. The tradeoff: Eris 8 has this beat by a little bit.
Buy the JBL 308P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Kali Audio LP-8 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio LP-8 | JBL 308P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $598 per pair Discontinued | $298 per pair |
| Ranked | #56 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 11.3”D (419.1 x 254 x 287 mm) | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9.0 kg) each | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter | 8” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker | 112W total |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 42.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.69 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL 308P MKII compares with other leading options:
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- Genelec 8361A vs JBL 308P MKII
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 LP-8: $598 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Kali Audio LP-8 V2, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5.
Pros: The original LP-8 offers a large woofer, a waveguide and placement switches for affordable nearfield monitoring.
Cons: First-generation amplifier noise can be distracting at a quiet desk. The large cabinets need substantial space, and placement switches do not replace full room correction. The response sounds a bit hooded. Discontinued.
Full Kali Audio LP-8 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 11.3”D (419.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9.0 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Focal Alpha 80 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs Presonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs JBL 306P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audioholics Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Kali Audio LP-8 vs KRK Rokit 8 G4
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Adam Audio T8V
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs KRK Rokit 7 G4
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Presonus Eris Studio 8
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Edifier S3000Pro
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Edifier R2850DB
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- See all 43 comparisons
JBL 308P MKII: $298 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.69 ideal-subwoofer score support unusually good tonal balance for an accessible studio monitor. Measured -3dB extension of 42.5Hz supplies useful musical bass, and the waveguide helps maintain consistent horizontal coverage. Measured bass extension of 42.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Amplifier hiss may be noticeable in quiet, close-range use. Bass distortion and output limits matter when playing loudly, despite the 8-inch woofer. Keep the tweeter near ear height; vertical crossover behavior is less forgiving than the best coaxial designs. A resonance around 18kHz and a slight dip around 1.4kHz.
Full JBL 308P MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 112W total |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons