Short answer: the JBL 306P MKII. It ranks #40 of 66 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $398; the Sigberg Audio Manta ranks #41 and costs $32220, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Sigberg Audio Manta offers: Designed for use with separate subwoofers, the Manta is a main speaker for a complete system rather than a conventional full-range desktop pair. Watch for: Separate subwoofers and system setup add cost and occupy more space than the main speakers alone. Correct crossover integration and placement are essential.
What the JBL 306P MKII offers: A 6.02 ideal-subwoofer score and 46.9Hz measured -3dB extension make this a useful affordable nearfield monitor. The waveguide supports broad horizontal listening coverage, and basic boundary controls help with setup. Watch for: The 3.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz is less even than the 308P MKII’s, with midrange resonances affecting neutrality. Hiss can matter at a quiet desk, while bass distortion limits demanding playback. A subwoofer improves bandwidth but does not remove the midrange irregularities.
Buy the JBL 306P MKII. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sigberg Audio Manta and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sigberg Audio Manta | JBL 306P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $32,220.00 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) | $398 |
| Ranked | #41 of 66 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #40 of 66 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | sealed | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 18Hz (manufacturer, with companion subwoofers) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 23.6"H x 14.2"W x 13.8"D (600 x 360 x 350 mm) | 16.1"H x 11.2"W x 12.9"D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs / 25.0 kg each | 13.4 lbs / 6.1 kg each |
| Drivers | 12" midbass, 5.5" coaxial mid/tweeter with 1" silk dome | 6.5" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES | - |
| Output Power | 600W per speaker | 112W total |
| Max SPL | 122dB | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) | No |
| DSP | Yes | No |
| Country | Norway | - |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | - | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- Klipsch The Nines vs JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor
- Klipsch The Nines vs Genelec 8361A
- Klipsch The Nines vs Neumann KH420
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Sigberg Audio Manta
- Genelec 8361A vs JBL 306P MKII
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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
Sigberg Audio Manta: $32,220.00 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) Sigberg Audio eBay
Pros: Designed for use with separate subwoofers, the Manta is a main speaker for a complete system rather than a conventional full-range desktop pair.
Cons: Separate subwoofers and system setup add cost and occupy more space than the main speakers alone. Correct crossover integration and placement are essential.
Full Sigberg Audio Manta review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 18Hz (manufacturer, with companion subwoofers) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Country | Norway |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 23.6"H x 14.2"W x 13.8"D (600 x 360 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" midbass, 5.5" coaxial mid/tweeter with 1" silk dome |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Max SPL | 122dB |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Output Power | 600W per speaker |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs / 25.0 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 306P MKII: $398 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A 6.02 ideal-subwoofer score and 46.9Hz measured -3dB extension make this a useful affordable nearfield monitor. The waveguide supports broad horizontal listening coverage, and basic boundary controls help with setup.
Cons: The 3.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz is less even than the 308P MKII’s, with midrange resonances affecting neutrality. Hiss can matter at a quiet desk, while bass distortion limits demanding playback. A subwoofer improves bandwidth but does not remove the midrange irregularities.
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons