Looking to upgrade from 2 x JBL LSR305 + 1 x JBL LSR310S

[Kain]

For my computer audio, I have a 2.1 setup consisting of 2 x JBL LSR305 (first generation) + 1 x JBL LSR310S. Will 2 x JBL 705P + 1 x JBL LSR310S be a nice upgrade? The 705P is in a different league compared to the LSR305 (based on what I've read previously), correct? Any other subwoofer that I should consider over the LSR310S? It should have built in bass management like the LSR310S has.

 

[vsch]

I have no experience with these JBL monitors. However, based on what is available on spinorama.org, it seems that the difference between the LSR305 and 705P may not be that big, other than that the 705P can go louder. Other ASR members may be more knowledgeable, though.

However, what makes a massive difference is room correction. If you don't use that yet, I'd probably rather invest in a UMIK-1, take measurements with REW, and use a PEQ software on your computer before I'd consider upgrading the already fairly competent LSR305.

 

[Kain]

I have no experience with these JBL monitors. However, based on what is available on spinorama.org, it seems that the difference between the LSR305 and 705P may not be that big, other than that the 705P can go louder. Other ASR members may be more knowledgeable, though.

However, what makes a massive difference is room correction. If you don't use that yet, I'd probably rather invest in a UMIK-1, take measurements with REW, and use a PEQ software on your computer before I'd consider upgrading the already fairly competent LSR305.

Thanks.

From ASR's 705P review:

I set the JBL 705P to my left on my workstation (elevated about 6 inches and pointed up a few degrees). On the right was the venerable JBL 305P. The 705P instantly made a positive impression on my reference female vocal track, demonstrating smooth, balanced frequency response with plenty of bass.

Speaking of bass, I turned the volume up and up and up. It took a ton of effort to get the red clipping light to flash once and twice. Despite that, distortion was very much under control unlike some other powered speakers I tested. As a way of comparison the JBL 305P compressor kicked in and it would simply not get louder than certain level and fell far behind the 705P.

I went though track after track. Same first impression repeated except the gap wasn't quite as large on some tracks.

Overall, the 705P impression was absolute delight. It made the 305P sound flattish and boring (its vocals would stand out but instruments were behind it unlike the 705p).

JBL 705P Studio Monitor Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the popular JBL 705P Studio Monitor (powered speaker). It is on kind loan from a member. The 705P costs US $999 each. The 705p has far more style and quality feel than the JBL 305P: Front panel LED indicates clipping which is nice. Back panel...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Kain]

As for room correction, I am about 2-2.5 feet away from the speakers. I am hearing more direct sound than anything else.

 

[vsch]

As for room correction, I am about 2-2.5 feet away from the speakers. I am hearing more direct sound than anything else.

I see. FWIW, I have a similar 2.1 system (Genelec 8030c + Arendal 1961 1s, integrated and manually room-corrected via a miniDSP Flex) to which I listen at a distance of roughly 2.6ft in an untreated 120 sqft room. Room correction has still made a substantial difference below the Schrödinger frequency, where one listens to the room and all its modes/resonances. But, again, YMMV. Cheers.

 

[JohnnyNG]

Any other subwoofer that I should consider over the LSR310S? It should have built in bass management like the LSR310S has.

Although I haven't used it in years I always like that sub and its crossover. A 24dB/oct (as I recall) balanced high/low pass with a couple of frequency choices (including the XLF BOOM-BOOM ) is pretty rare, if not unique, at its price-point.

 

[Ziltoe]

Will 2 x JBL 705P + 1 x JBL LSR310S be a nice upgrade? The 705P is in a different league compared to the LSR305 (based on what I've read previously), correct?

To my mind, näeh. or nope. I believe that just a better integration of the LSR310S [in your room - I have it with the LSR306MKII] will make it. You just have to
try/figure it out. A "Sub" integration can be challenging. Even with what you call "different league" speaker.

 

[kyuu]

Thanks.

From ASR's 705P review:

JBL 705P Studio Monitor Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the popular JBL 705P Studio Monitor (powered speaker). It is on kind loan from a member. The 705P costs US $999 each. The 705p has far more style and quality feel than the JBL 305P: Front panel LED indicates clipping which is nice. Back panel...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Yes, but you'll notice the big difference was in the 705P's ability to handle bass as higher SPLs, where the 305P's limiter was kicking in. Since you're using a sub, that's largely irrelevant. You may still notice a bit of a difference in the upper bass above the crossover point, though given that you're nearfield you could probably just up the crossover a bit to let the subwoofer handle a bit more of the frequency range to offset that as well.

As for room correction, I am about 2-2.5 feet away from the speakers. I am hearing more direct sound than anything else.

Regardless of how near or far away from the speakers you are, you are almost certainly getting some serious peaks and nulls in the bass region from room modes and could benefit at the very least from lopping off those peaks. You could just use an $80 UMIK-1 in combination with free measurement software (REW) and free EQ software (EqualizerAPO) to address that since your source is strictly a PC.

 

[Ziltoe]

That's the practical story behind.

 

[Kain]

By the way, what happened to the rumored JBL 705P MKII? Rumors first came about in 2024. Were they false or were they silently updated without being called the MKII?

 

[psykano]

I mean if you're looking for better speakers as desktop and you're already in the $4,000 per pair price range why not first try the usual Genelec or Neumann? Like the Neumann KH 120 II or Genelec 8030C? Both should be a substantial improvement over your JBLs especially for desktop use.

 

[Kain]

I mean if you're looking for better speakers as desktop and you're already in the $4,000 per pair price range why not first try the usual Genelec or Neumann? Like the Neumann KH 120 II or Genelec 8030C? Both should be a substantial improvement over your JBLs especially for desktop use.

705P is around $1,200/each. If I had a higher budget, I would get Genelec.

 

[psykano]

Genelec 8030C should be less than $1,000