Short answer: the Pioneer DJ VM-50 for better sound quality, the JBL One Series 104 for the lower price. The Pioneer DJ VM-50 ranks #35 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers at $169. The JBL One Series 104 ranks #40 at $129, $40 cheaper.
On the Pioneer DJ VM-50 side: Compact active monitor with 96kHz DSP, 4mm aluminum front baffle, 5.25-inch aramid woofer and constant-directivity horn. Set against that: The default axial response is not reference-flat and the upper-mid/treble directivity behavior varies with angle; correct EQ-switch selection and listening geometry matter.
The case for the JBL One Series 104: Heavy internal EQ from the amplifier meaningfully compensates for otherwise poor raw driver measurements. The tradeoff: Measuring the passive drivers alone (bypassing the amplifier’s EQ) showed “no bass, no low mids, and highly irregular highs” - a disaster by the reviewer’s description.
Buy the Pioneer DJ VM-50 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL One Series 104 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 42 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Pioneer DJ VM-50 | JBL One Series 104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169 each | $129 |
| Ranked | #35 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #40 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP monitor) | - |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter in horn; 5.25" aramid-fiber woofer | 4.5" coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75" soft dome tweeter |
| Amplification | Class D, 30W LF + 30W HF | - |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo and RCA | - |
| DSP | Four LF and four HF EQ settings | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | - | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Weight | - | 4.5 lbs / 2.06 kg (master), 3.8 lbs / 1.73 kg (slave) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Pioneer DJ VM-50: $169 each Amazon
Pros: Compact active monitor with 96kHz DSP, 4mm aluminum front baffle, 5.25-inch aramid woofer and constant-directivity horn. Erin measured F3 at 61Hz, low distortion at 86 and 96dB, almost no long-term compression above 50Hz and only roughly quarter-decibel dynamic nonlinearity. Four-position low- and high-EQ controls yield 16 useful voicings, while balanced TRS/XLR and RCA inputs suit studio and consumer sources.
Cons: The default axial response is not reference-flat and the upper-mid/treble directivity behavior varies with angle; correct EQ-switch selection and listening geometry matter. Bass does not reach 50Hz at reference level despite its pleasing punch, making a subwoofer useful. Output is appropriate for nearfield use rather than home-theater distance. As an internally amplified monitor, passive impedance and sensitivity measurements are not applicable.
Full Pioneer DJ VM-50 review and specifications →
| Amplification | Class D, 30W LF + 30W HF |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DSP | Four LF and four HF EQ settings |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter in horn; 5.25" aramid-fiber woofer |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo and RCA |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP monitor) |
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JBL One Series 104: $129 Amazon
Pros: Heavy internal EQ from the amplifier meaningfully compensates for otherwise poor raw driver measurements, and casual listening on undemanding content sounded like a scaled-down JBL 305P Mark II - well above typical computer-speaker quality for the price. Solid build quality for a $90-130 powered pair with dual built-in amplifiers.
Cons: Measuring the passive drivers alone (bypassing the amplifier’s EQ) showed “no bass, no low mids, and highly irregular highs” - a disaster by the reviewer’s description. Even with the amplifier’s correction applied, there’s an on-axis cancellation around 7.4kHz from the coaxial driver design, and JBL’s own published frequency-response graph uses a compressed 95dB vertical scale that hides real deviations the reviewer’s 50dB-scale CEA-2034 measurement reveals. Female vocals and “lisping” content became bright and annoying; the reviewer’s verdict was “can’t recommend it though if you want a true hi-fi experience.”
Full JBL One Series 104 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz with the amplifier's DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz with the amplifier's DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Drivers | 4.5" coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75" soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs / 2.06 kg (master), 3.8 lbs / 1.73 kg (slave) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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