JBL 305P MkII review

The 305P MkII updates JBL's popular 3 Series with refined transducers and a feature buyers asked for: Boundary EQ. Its main draw is the patented Image Control Waveguide, developed for JBL's M2 Master Reference Monitor, which JBL says gives a broad sweet spot and neutral response even off-axis. The 5-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter each get a 41 W Class D amplifier, for a published response of 49 Hz to 20 kHz at +/- 3 dB and a maximum peak SPL of 108 dB. The Slip Stream low-frequency port is designed for clean bass at all playback levels, which suits small rooms where you mix quietly. Boundary EQ offers a 50 Hz shelf at 0, -1.5 or -3 dB for desk or wall placement, and an HF Trim switch adjusts the top end by 2 dB. Inputs are balanced XLR and TRS with a sensitivity switch. JBL's page shows no US price, so we scored value conservatively. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

Producers who want a broad sweet spot and boundary EQ from a long-established 5-inch design.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Patented Image Control Waveguide
• 49 Hz to 20 kHz (+/- 3 dB), 108 dB max peak SPL
• Dual Class D amps, 82 W total
• Boundary EQ and HF Trim switches
• XLR and TRS inputs with a +4 dBu / -10 dBV switch

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Waveguide designed for a broad, room-friendly sweet spot
• Strength: Slip Stream port for bass at low playback levels
• Strength: JBL runs a 100-hour full-power test
• Weakness: No US price published on JBL's product page
• Weakness: No RCA input
• Weakness: Boundary EQ only cuts low end in three steps

Key facts

• Drivers: 5-inch woofer, 1-inch soft dome tweeter
• Power: 82 W (41 W + 41 W)
• Frequency response: 49 Hz to 20 kHz (+/- 3 dB)
• Max peak SPL: 108 dB
• Inputs: XLR, TRS

Where it ranks

JBL 305P MkII is No. 5 in our Best Studio Monitors verdict.