Short answer: the JBL 308P MKII. Both are rated 4.4/5 for sound quality (#34 and #35 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers), and the JBL 308P MKII costs $298 against $5,600 for the O.S. Acoustics DBS8, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the O.S. Acoustics DBS8 does well: Sealed active studio monitors with balanced sound and DSP adjustment, a good fit for a system with a subwoofer. The catch: The measured -3dB point is 48.5Hz, not especially deep for a large monitor.
The JBL 308P MKII is the deeper-bass choice. Full size studio monitors with accurate sound and real bass from an 8 inch woofer, at a budget price. Its bass reaches about 42.5Hz before falling 3dB, against 48.5Hz for the O.S. Acoustics DBS8. The tradeoff: Amplifier hiss may be noticeable in quiet, close-range use.
Buy the JBL 308P MKII. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $5,302 less than the O.S. Acoustics DBS8.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Sealed active studio monitors with balanced sound and DSP adjustment, a good fit for a system with a subwoofer.
Full size studio monitors with accurate sound and real bass from an 8 inch woofer, at a budget price.
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Specifications Side By Side
| O.S. Acoustics DBS8 | JBL 308P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,600 per pair | $298 per pair |
| Ranked | #35 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 42.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 35Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Enclosure | Sealed MTM | - |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch aluminum woofers; 1.1-inch ceramic-coated magnesium tweeter | 8” woofer, 1” neodymium tweeter |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR | XLR, 1/4” TRS |
| Amplifier Power | 500W LF + 150W HF per speaker | 112W total |
| Dimensions | 19.8” x 8.7” x 17.2” (502 x 222 x 437 mm) each | 16.5”H x 10”W x 12.1”D (419.1 x 254 x 307.3 mm) |
| Weight | 34.8 lbs (15.8kg) each | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | 5.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.85 | 7.69 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | 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 |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 21.5kHz (±2 dB > 50Hz) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: O.S. Acoustics DBS8 (measured by an independent reviewer) and JBL 308P MKII (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
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