JBL 305P MkII

JBL

JBL 305P MkII

B

Ranked #7 in Bookshelf Speakers

583 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

Analog active design means no firmware risk at all, and owners report genuine durability. Ranked here only because it is a studio monitor, not a living-room hi-fi speaker.

Consolidated from 44 cited sources across 26 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

1 enthusiastic source
30 positive sources
13 mixed sources

See the sources

Pros & cons

✓ Analog active design with no firmware, app, or obsolescence risk
✓ Owners report durable speakers that connect easily over XLR and run in minutes
✓ Professional clarity, powerful imaging, and balanced sound
✓ Impressive dynamic range
✓ Crowned "Best speaker for the money" by Fstoppers

✗ A studio monitor rather than a living-room hi-fi speaker

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found. 1 outlet wouldn't let us check its link.

Evidence 8 articles, 33 video reviews and 3 community sources

1 enthusiastic source

B Beat Making Tools Beat Making Tools · reviewer · Dec 2025

An in-depth review of the JBL 305P MkII 5-inch powered studio monitors featuring Image Control Waveguide technology, boundary EQ, and professional-grade sound at an accessible price point.

30 positive sources

DSAUDIOreview الشمسالحمراء-ع8ظ · owner · Dec 2018

To the MKII they added a material to improve the DAMPING of the speakers, this makes the transients feel much more, there is more punch and greater definition therefore in everything that has textures so it sounds more relevant, in my opinion this is very nice, they feel much more the attack of the guitars, the consonants of the voices, everything that is detail is more evident, I just made the difference between the two and it really is worth changing to the new ones.

Matthew Stratton Matthew Stratton · 135K subscribers · Dec 2020

All right, so this is the 3 Series MKII power studio monitors, the 305P MKIIs. This is a 5-in power studio monitor. There are different sizes for this particular style. This is the 5-in. Let's go ahead and get into this. I'm just going to actually put this upside down like this and open it from the bottom. So, I lost my utility knife. I'm going to use this knife. It has no edge to it.

MusicRadar Article · Nov 2022

Right now, I think the best budget studio monitor is the JBL 305P MKII . They deliver a lot considering the cost, with excellent low-end reproduction, a wide stereo spread, and a good balance for mixing. For an ultra-cheap but still decent option, the PreSonus Eris 3.5s are available at less than $100 for a pair, which is absurd value for money considering how good they sound.

BenoniStudio BenoniStudio · 59.1K subscribers · Dec 2020

Overall, these are a solid budget choice for your studio.

Bhphotovideo Frank Rated · reviewer

Audio engineers, producers, and musicians looking for a high-quality monitoring solution will be impressed with the JBL 305P MkII - Powered 5" Two-Way Studio Monitor, a bi-amplified reference monitor with next-generation drivers, offering high detail, precise imaging, a wide sweet spot, and a remarkable dynamic range to enhance the mix capabilities of any modern workspace.

Garrett Lindsay Garrett Lindsay · 55.9K subscribers · Feb 2019

which is super exciting for me. I'm happy to get some brand new studio monitors.

FunBubble YunqTab · owner · May 2018

You've bought some of the best speakers you can buy for this price range and what you're using them for. The people that know something about audio can clearly see that you're new to audio don't mind what the others say!

Garrett Lindsay Garrett Lindsay · 55.9K subscribers · May 2022

I have had the JBL 305p MKII Studio Monitors for over 2 years now; I believe they are the best studio monitors you can buy for the price as they are great quality monitors and have lasted for so long. They are fantastic for any studio setup and deserve some praise.

BenoniStudio Crowbar11115 · owner · Dec 2020

I LOVE these speakers. Use them every day for Music and Voice Overs. My client roster expanded wildly after this upgrade. Big step up from my M-Audio monitors.

FunBubble FunBubble · 43.3K subscribers · May 2018

Unboxing SETUP and REVIEW of the JBL 305p MKII 3 Series Studio Monitor Speakers with LSR310S Subwoofer. I show the settings i found that sound best with my laptop computer desk gaming pc. Best you can buy. I also do a comparison with the Klipsch 2.1 pro media old and new versions. i show a detailed list of cables needed mkii and mk2 prices.

Higher Hz Brandon Schock · reviewer · Feb 2026

The 305P Mk2 do a good job at carrying this legacy on, and I personally think they’re one of the better options available for budget studio monitors.

Musical Instrument Musical Instrument · 13.4K subscribers · Nov 2025

JBL 305P MkII Review: The Best Budget Studio Monitors?

BitCubed YouTube review · Mar 2023

I've a pair of JBL 305p MKii paired with IFI Zen V2 and can attest that they are definitely fantastic monitors considering their price.

Coffee Talk & Tech Coffee Talk & Tech · 5.5K subscribers · Dec 2020

JBL 305P MKII Best studio monitors for your money! Period!

DSAUDIOreview alagut666 · owner · Dec 2018

I've had the JBLs for 6 years now and use them a lot in my home studio. They're absolutely perfect. Regards from Germany!

Top 5 Trey Top 5 Trey · 1.4K subscribers · Apr 2026

Overall, the JBL Professional 305P Mark II is a well-balanced, thoughtfully engineered studio monitor that combines precision, clarity, and affordability into one clean package. If you're looking to upgrade your near-field monitoring setup without overcomplicating things, this is definitely one worth considering

Watch F Facebook A1soundSA

Experience accuracy you can hear and mixes you can trust with the JBL 305P MkII Powered 5″ Studio Monitor.

Verified Reviews Verified Reviews · 1K subscribers · Oct 2025

The JBL Professional 305P MkII delivers exceptional studio monitor performance with updated transducers and boundary EQ for precise mixing. This 2021 JBL Professional 305P MkII review reveals why these powered monitors dominate home studios worldwide.

IP Audio DodgyRadio · owner · Feb 2019

Nevertheless, this is an excellent monitor well worth cost. Good luck. Happy listening.

Garrett Lindsay kdrsmusic8794 · owner · May 2022

Just bought a pair of these and i think they sound absolutely fantastic 😊👍

Just Vlad ronfender8101 · owner · Jan 2021

For the price they are fantastic, and they are super durable and dependable.

DJ Tech Reviews Article Read D

DSAUDIOreview ares23dc · owner · Sept 2021

For me it's JBL 305P MKII. They are more precise and fill the room better.

DSAUDIOreview busywl69 · owner · Sept 2020

305P MKII's are a steal. My everyday speakers for a couple years now.

Z Reviews drstrangelove5360 · owner · Apr 2018

I purchase the JBL 305P MkII for my home office, killer speaker!

Coffee Talk & Tech YouTube review · Dec 2020

JBL 305P MKII Best studio monitors for your money! Period!

IP Audio Solus793 · owner · Feb 2019

Excellent build quality and components for the price.

Garrett Lindsay KodeeBanks · owner · Feb 2019

This made me go buy a pair right after watching .

Garrett Lindsay Daveosbeatz · owner · Oct 2020

Just got the new 8’s I love them.

Watch A r/audiophile Reddit thread Read thread

13 mixed sources

Frieve - Audio Review Article · Jan 2026

The JBL 305P MkII delivers professional acoustic technologies but requires awareness of documented limitations. Port and cabinet resonance issues affect midrange accuracy, while SPL limiting restricts use to nearfield applications under 96dB. Suitable for home studios and bedroom producers requiring balanced connectivity and room adjustment controls. Consider higher-end alternatives if midrange accuracy is critical, or accept resonance characteristics as compromise for flagship technology implementation.

DSAUDIOreview DSAUDIOreview · owner · Dec 2018

Overall I find both JBL 305P MKII and Adam Audio T5V to be solid monitors with good sound quality. If I was to choose one of them for music listening than it would be JBL, but for music production I would probably go with T5V and trim that high end a bit. What do You think? Which one would You choose and why? Let me know in the comments below! Cheers! PS. Unfortunately, I switched the "source trac

DylanTalksTone Lettsbet · owner · Nov 2018

I love my JBL MKII's! They have really improved by band mixes. I definitely use the -3db boundry eq, as I have my speakers backing a wall. I will say it took me a little while to get used to the bass in my mixes. I found I had to make adjustment for other systems and speakers. Once I "learned" the speaker its was fine. One thing I will mention.

DSAUDIOreview Panslapper · owner · Nov 2020

I like the upper section of the JBL but to be honest they are bass light which means going up an inch on the cone at least but the price goes up too with that. I have the S1000db MK3 (broke the optical door off in the first hour) and in a 5m x 5m room with high ceilings and they sound pretty good.

Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum olds1959special · reviewer

JBL 305P MKII is better than 306/LP6 but still it's way to expensive for what it really is as A100 sounds significantly better when we are listening to a good quality files . EVO 65, IN-5 and SM200 will be closer to A100 but still i choose A100 over them for way, way less money.

Musikhaus Thomann Article

The JBL LSR 305P MkII is an active two-way near-field monitor with an impressive price-to-sound ratio. As the most compact member of the American manufacturer's 3 series, this monitor features some of the most efficient concepts from JBL’s considerably more costly M2 monitors.

Erin's Audio Corner YouTube review · May 2021

hi.your reviev about the 305 mkII didnt fall out to good. Id like to know how you see them as a choice not as a studio monitor, but as a cheap hifi-setup in combination with a decent hifi-subwoofer.

Gene the Genie genepozniak · owner · Oct 2020

If all you make is loud music, they're probably fine, but if you make softer ambient music, the constant hiss will drive you crazy. They make a lot of noise even when only plugged into power.

DSAUDIOreview BrettRK · owner · Dec 2018

I bought both of these last month. There is no contest, the presonus are better in every way: inputs, power, clarity/sound. I sent the JBLs back.

DSAUDIOreview marculini · owner · Mar 2022

JBL sounds better but I searched the price and the MR4 cost -40% less than JBL. MR4 is definitely worth.

DSAUDIOreview mctapia12 · owner · Mar 2022

Both speakers are good for the price range, but as for the same, both have also other caveats.

Watch F Facebook Susan Surblowski · owner

They are barely bright for far field, and slightly bright for near field.

DSAUDIOreview 노을길 · owner · May 2019

JBL MKII 모니터 스피커는 6, 8 보다는 5가 가장 최적화 되어 있는 듯!

Frequently asked questions

It ranks #7 of 31 on our bookshelf speakers tier list, in B tier. That placement draws on 44 cited sources across 26 outlets.

None of the 44 sources with a clear view is critical of it. A studio monitor rather than a living-room hi-fi speaker.

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