JBL LSR305P MKii and Control 1 Pro Monitors Review

[edechamps]

The Bottom graph shows the original 305 measured by Harman. The difference between treble and low-mid is about 1 to 2 dB.
The top graph shows the new 305P mkII measured by Amir. The difference between treble and low-mid is around 4 dB !

What happened between the two versions of this speaker ?

A few hypotheses come to mind:

• A reference axis issue similar to the Neumann KH 80 snafu
• Sample-to-sample variation and Amir measured a particularly bad sample (not unlikely given the price range, I wouldn't expect quality control to be amazing)
• Actual differences between Mk I and MkII. Seems unlikely given the waveguide looks exactly the same.

 

[digicidal]

That was my subjective impression regarding the 305's vs the 306P's in my office. Totally oranges to bananas comparison - not to mention sighted on different systems & DACs (though both measure well enough to be inaudible differences).

In addition the 306P's seem to be under-amplified - despite being specified higher. Not really a fan of them in a few ways - although since I got a ridiculous sale on them (around $80/ea, so much cheaper than the 305's were) I'm not going to hold it against them.

 

[BDWoody]

That was my subjective impression regarding the 305's vs the 306P's in my office. Totally oranges to bananas comparison - not to mention sighted on different systems & DACs (though both measure well enough to be inaudible differences).

In addition the 306P's seem to be under-amplified - despite being specified higher. Not really a fan of them in a few ways - although since I got a ridiculous sale on them (around $80/ea, so much cheaper than the 305's were) I'm not going to hold it against them.

I think I got the same deal...with a couple of cables thrown in as I remember.
My thoughts are similar... I only have the 705's and 708's to compare it to directly, and in that comparison, there isn't much of a comparison...but for $80 it's hard to argue.

 

[maxxevv]

Think we all got the same deal I shared on the thread.

But odd as it seems, I do think the 306P has more than enough grunt for a small room. It certainly doesn't sound "small" for its size.
But I've connected it via XLR-3pin, and mostly, my DAC is at -15dB level output and the speaker is only at 6~7 volume position most of the time.
I do let it rip at up to -5dB DAC output levels and keeping the speaker volume untouched.

 

[infinitesymphony]

I'll bet this has been said before in this thread and elsewhere, but I would love to see the 6.5" and 8" versions of these speakers tested because the price difference from 5" to 8" is only $50 per speaker.

 

[maxxevv]

I'll bet this has been said before in this thread and elsewhere, but I would love to see the 6.5" and 8" versions of these speakers tested because the price difference from 5" to 8" is only $50 per speaker.

That price difference occurs only when there's a major sales going on.

And that is only if the 308P is on discount but the MSRP of the 305P is not discounted.

Regular MSRP for the 308P is US$249, the 306P being US$199 and the 305P being US$149.

The lowest I have seen is US$185 for the 308P, US$129/each (US$172/pair) for the 306P, US$89/each for the 305P.

Current price you're seeing on Amazon for the 308p at US$199/each is a discounted price. Not the regular MSRP while the 305P is holding its MSRP of US$149/each .

 

[infinitesymphony]

That price difference occurs only when there's a major sales going on.

And that is only if the 308P is on discount but the MSRP of the 305P is not discounted.

Regular MSRP for the 308P is US$249, the 306P being US$199 and the 305P being US$149.

The lowest I have seen is US$185 for the 308P, US$129/each (US$172/pair) for the 306P, US$89/each for the 305P.

Current price you're seeing on Amazon for the 308p at US$199/each is a discounted price. Not the regular MSRP while the 305P is holding its MSRP of US$149/each .

Fair points, but those prices are still low compared to competing speakers which are mostly in the $499+ range.

The 8" version dips down in price fairly often:

https://camelcamelcamel.com/JBL-Professional-Next-Generation-Powered-308PMKII/product/B077NHM2K6

 

[maxxevv]

Fair points, but those prices are still low compared to competing speakers which are mostly in the $499+ range.

The 8" version dips down in price fairly often:

https://camelcamelcamel.com/JBL-Professional-Next-Generation-Powered-308PMKII/product/B077NHM2K6

That's because most people shopping for such kind of speakers find them to be pretty big for their intended placements. Hence, the 305P's probably far outsell the 308P by a pretty big margin.

 

[amirm]

I'll bet this has been said before in this thread and elsewhere, but I would love to see the 6.5" and 8" versions of these speakers tested because the price difference from 5" to 8" is only $50 per speaker.

I have a 705P in for review and the same owner has the 708 so these tests will be coming.

 

[Xyrium]

I have a 705P in for review and the same owner has the 708 so these tests will be coming.

Yeah, but that's a VERY different speaker than the 300 series...typo on the 7 vs 3?

Though I am extremely interested in the 705 performance, if that's what you have.

 

[amirm]

Yeah, but that's a VERY different speaker than the 300 series...typo on the 7 vs 3?

Though I am extremely interest in the 705 performance, if that's what you have.

No, I thought that was what was meant. But yes, I have the 705. A pair of them as a matter of fact.

 

[Xyrium]

Sir, you have a nice selection of test subjects in your stable! Looking forward to it, as always!

 

[infinitesymphony]

Looking forward to the 700 series tests, but yes, I meant LSR306P MkII and LSR308P MkII. Curious to see if there are substantial differences based on cabinet and woofer size, port tuning, crossover frequency, and amplifier rating.

 

[Arsonistic]

Nice to see speaker reviews!
Any chance you could review Yamaha HS5 and HS8?
(main interest being HS5 due to significantly smaller size)
Here's what the spec-sheet says about their performance:

Can't find any info on how they tested to get those values tho. (forgive me if I missed anything, I'm slightly new to the world of advanced audio)

 

[amirm]

Any chance you could review Yamaha HS5 and HS8?

HS5 is already done: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/yamaha-hs5-powered-monitor-review.10967/

 

[Arsonistic]

HS5 is already done: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/yamaha-hs5-powered-monitor-review.10967/

Oh dang. Sorry I missed that. Couldn't find it in the master list.
Edit: It was there. It appears searching the master list through your browser's built-in Ctrl+F search doesn't work D:

 

[TLEDDY]

TLEDDY again with an interim report:

The eBay vendor responded immediately on the speaker. He sent me return shipping label and promised to ship me a replacement ASAP!

After I receive and install the new speaker, I will report back.

BTW, I own Harbeth 40.1s, KEF LS50s and the JBL 305P MKIIs. They’re in order in my music room, bedroom and office. I installed the Audioengine powered speakers in my dining room utilizing a Bluetooth adapter.

The Harbeth are powered by Benchmark DAC/preamp and Amps. KEFs by Cambridge integrated using Bluetooth.

I received the replacement white speaker... I used unbalanced connectors on both ends; RCA to Phono plug. All is well in the world.

 

[TLEDDY]

I received the replacement white speaker... I used unbalanced connectors on both ends; RCA to Phono plug. All is well in the world.

I have had some time to listen to my now-complete office system. To recap:

Apple iMac...USB...Khardas Tone Board...JBL 305P MkII + Audioengine Sub

Sources: Tidal; ASR What are you listening...; Amazon; Apple; ElCheapo CD transport

Subjectively (obviously) very satisfying on the genre of music I like. Depending on mood, Classical, big band, conventional jazz, quasi-country (Lucinda Williams) rock and blues. One might accurately say eclectic.

I welcome any advice/suggestions from the hive mind!

 

[edechamps]

@amirm @MZKM: I'm looking for the standard measurement data zip file for the 305P, but I can't find it anywhere. Could you post it please?

 

[MZKM]

@amirm @MZKM: I'm looking for the standard measurement data zip file for the 305P, but I can't find it anywhere. Could you post it please?

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...0-dsp-monitor-review.11018/page-2#post-310325