While I own the older LSR305, many of your remarks about the problems with these monitors match my own experience... such as midbass resonance problems and the HF. Which is why I've already shelved the HF starting from 1kHz and blocked up the ports. I'd rather get the Kali IN-5 even though it has a dip in the highest frequencies -- I'm pretty sure that would be a way less annoying issue.
I got these as discounted return units to use as computer speakers. I was already using equalizerAPO for headphones so it was a no-brainer to do the same for speakers. Thanks a lot for the measurements! Made EQing them a lot easier and the results are better than what I could've managed on my own.
Just came across your channel, love the objective and scientific approach! If you want to do an apples for apples comparison with a competitor speaker to the JBL, since you already liked Kali you should try testing the Kali LP-6! Basically same price as the JBL’s.
I have been using them as computer speaker for three years with a Gallo TR3-D sub. While they aren't reference they are pleasant and I have never heard any resonance. I'm looking at the JBL 705Ps or the HEDD TYPE 05 MK II.
Watched the whole thing Erin. Didn’t think I would but the content was very good and kept me watching (or listening as I took care of my newborn son). Great review. Looking forward to seeing more nearfield reviews as I need a smaller set for my desk setup and the JBLs were in the list. The only thing I would say is that you could maybe tighten/shorten up the main part of the review, but overall really great info. Great job.
Haha... well, I know about the newborn days so hopefully I was able to entertain you enough to help your stress levels. Yes, the objective analysis tends to run a bit long but that's just the nature of things when you're trying to explain performance so that others can understand it. Ironically, I actually like the live format because I don't feel like I'm having to rush to cram all the information in to a 20 minute segment. But I'll try to speed through some things next time, where I can.
I'd love to see a review/analysis of the RCF Ayra Pro monitors. They're in the same price range, but come with DSP to provide a "linear" phase response.
I recommended this monitor a lot of times and measured it once (I work in an anechoic chamber). My measurements were similar to yours and it's great for the price but they are a limitter. You're not going to listen them at 100 dB, but you want to listen them at 85 dB and have at least a 15 dB headroom
Great review Erin, loving the inclusion of the long term compression test. Would love to see a review of the JBL Stage A130 to compare with these. Looking for something that is passive for surround duty in this price range as I will need five pairs. Keep up the amazing work.
Most people that buy bookshelf speakers are not checking graphs. whatever speaker you choose to buy will either sound good or it won't. I have the JBL 306. awesome speakers. now if I was buying a set for $2000 to $3000? then I would do extensive research. there are endless factors when buying any speakers. location. room size. ceiling height and many other factors that would affect the way a speaker sounds in a specific room, so based on your needs and preference make a decision if want to keep them. or replace them.
I know nothing about speaker engineering, however my brain says so port must be necessary to allow the driver to move. Don't call it a port but some method to allow air in and out as the driver moves. Unless the driver is just creating a vacuum and then internal pressure, fighting natural movement. This is not me making claims, just how my brain is thinking on the matter and I would love to know the answer to this.
I'm replying to my own comment because I thought of a mechanical solution to my original problem. A proper bladder could allow for the needed air movement without a port. Just so you know I'm not as stupid as I might indicate.
Ports do not simply allow drivers to move. Look up passive radiators. Ports are exactly the same, you just adjust the port length and width to achieve tuning.
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. are there any speakers at 300 dollar/pair that could be considered better, i mean "really better"?
The issues I had were with the string resonances in the lower midrange. I specifically noted the issues at 225Hz which shows up in the data as well. A subwoofer wouldn’t fix that, unfortunately.
@@ErinsAudioCorner True , but my nephew uses them for mixing (student) and fixing that bump would help him I think . For 300 bucks these are really not bad . I searched the whole sub 300 market (that was his budget) and I could not find anything better . Guess it's time to get out of my lazy chair for another DIY subwoofer build ...
@@gerritgovaerts8443 the resonances were extremely noticeable. I encourage you to have him run some test tones through his speakers to make sure he doesn’t have the same issue as it is quite common (a quick google search revealed many threads about this issue).
City Steve here, what do you think of this combination, denon 4800h with svs ultra lcr, svs prime rear, for Hightstown svs elevations, then svs pb-1000pro. I would appreciate your opinion. Keep up the great work.
@Erin's Audio Corner: I own this speakers, paired with an SVS SB-1000 in my PC setup (nearfield listening) for music listening (and movies/games sometimes), I couldn't notice the problem you mention at 39:31 in the mid region but that's because I am new to audio and this are the only speakers I've ever owned... What I would like is a pair of nearfield speakers to pair with my sub that would stay faithful to the source material and give me very good music, can you suggest me something that would outclass the JBL 305p mk2? If is relevant, my PC desk is far from a wall (2-3 meters away), my price range would be "near the JBL's price or double"
Ever since Samsung acquired the Harman group, things have been going downhill. Many people have complained about the exorbitant JBL HDI speakers having scratch marks on the cabinet. The Revelbe uses cheap MDF cabinets. Arcam AVR’s having dismal performance, I mean these are promoted as ‘Luxury Audio’ brands! Disgraceful!
Hmmmm..... with the updates to the Neumi's and stuffing the ports, it's not as clear cut. I would really need to do a blind comparison to say for sure. That said, with the baffle resonance of the 305p, there is no way I would use them; I can't unhear that noise and it aggravates me.
Hi, I'm new in this field, I record voice-over, I have HD650 headphones to clean and edit, and sometimes I think I need to edit on studio monitor, to make sure that's the sound is good on both (speaker and headphones). I found this one JBL 305P, and I'm about to order one, and then I see this review, and now I'm confused! Any suggestion for a better choice in its price range?
The issues I had with the baffle resonance seem to be hit or miss. Some have the same issue. Others do not. I’d suggest ordering them through a retailer who offers a good return policy in case you have the same issues. Otherwise, they’re good speakers.
From the port itself. I suppose you could use absorption to capture some of the HF portion but it would take substantial thickness to get it if the resonance is in the low/mid frequencies. I would prefer to simply stuff the port.
Buy: bhpho.to/338J1Cw (B&H affiliate link)
I appreciate your science based brutal honesty. Hard to find it these days.
While I own the older LSR305, many of your remarks about the problems with these monitors match my own experience... such as midbass resonance problems and the HF. Which is why I've already shelved the HF starting from 1kHz and blocked up the ports. I'd rather get the Kali IN-5 even though it has a dip in the highest frequencies -- I'm pretty sure that would be a way less annoying issue.
I got these as discounted return units to use as computer speakers. I was already using equalizerAPO for headphones so it was a no-brainer to do the same for speakers. Thanks a lot for the measurements! Made EQing them a lot easier and the results are better than what I could've managed on my own.
Just came across your channel, love the objective and scientific approach! If you want to do an apples for apples comparison with a competitor speaker to the JBL, since you already liked Kali you should try testing the Kali LP-6! Basically same price as the JBL’s.
Great suggestion!
Love your reviews man thank you for your hard work!
Thanks for the thanks!
I have been using them as computer speaker for three years with a Gallo TR3-D sub. While they aren't reference they are pleasant and I have never heard any resonance. I'm looking at the JBL 705Ps or the HEDD TYPE 05 MK II.
Watched the whole thing Erin. Didn’t think I would but the content was very good and kept me watching (or listening as I took care of my newborn son). Great review. Looking forward to seeing more nearfield reviews as I need a smaller set for my desk setup and the JBLs were in the list. The only thing I would say is that you could maybe tighten/shorten up the main part of the review, but overall really great info. Great job.
Haha... well, I know about the newborn days so hopefully I was able to entertain you enough to help your stress levels.
Yes, the objective analysis tends to run a bit long but that's just the nature of things when you're trying to explain performance so that others can understand it. Ironically, I actually like the live format because I don't feel like I'm having to rush to cram all the information in to a 20 minute segment. But I'll try to speed through some things next time, where I can.
I filled a pair of these with glass wool , took off the rear firing port, sealed the hole. much much better for mixing
I'd love to see a review/analysis of the RCF Ayra Pro monitors. They're in the same price range, but come with DSP to provide a "linear" phase response.
I recommended this monitor a lot of times and measured it once (I work in an anechoic chamber). My measurements were similar to yours and it's great for the price but they are a limitter. You're not going to listen them at 100 dB, but you want to listen them at 85 dB and have at least a 15 dB headroom
Great review Erin, loving the inclusion of the long term compression test.
Would love to see a review of the JBL Stage A130 to compare with these. Looking for something that is passive for surround duty in this price range as I will need five pairs.
Keep up the amazing work.
Thanks! I will keep the A130 in mind, though, I believe Amir measured that for ASR so you may be happy with his dataset.
Most people that buy bookshelf speakers are not checking graphs. whatever speaker you choose to buy will either sound good or it won't. I have the JBL 306. awesome speakers. now if I was buying a set for $2000 to $3000? then I would do extensive research. there are endless factors when buying any speakers. location. room size. ceiling height and many other factors that would affect the way a speaker sounds in a specific room, so based on your needs and preference make a decision if want to keep them. or replace them.
For some reason when you say things like this mid bass resonance right here, I expect to see a cursor pointing to the region, and I did not see that.
Yea. I found out the hard way that the streaming service doesn’t show the cursor. 🙄
Thanks for this video!
My pleasure!
Hello, Erin.
Which speakers in this price range or a bit higher would you recommend?
theres a DSP and a ADC inside of them...i dont quite understand why, but its interesting.
A movie! Love it!
I would absolutely love to see your KEF site visit if you film it.
I am there, dude!
I know nothing about speaker engineering, however my brain says so port must be necessary to allow the driver to move. Don't call it a port but some method to allow air in and out as the driver moves. Unless the driver is just creating a vacuum and then internal pressure, fighting natural movement. This is not me making claims, just how my brain is thinking on the matter and I would love to know the answer to this.
I'm replying to my own comment because I thought of a mechanical solution to my original problem. A proper bladder could allow for the needed air movement without a port. Just so you know I'm not as stupid as I might indicate.
Ports do not simply allow drivers to move. Look up passive radiators. Ports are exactly the same, you just adjust the port length and width to achieve tuning.
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. are there any speakers at 300 dollar/pair that could be considered better, i mean "really better"?
You could more easily recommend these speakers if you combine them with a subwoofer . You can then close the port and get rid of the 1600 Hz bump .
The issues I had were with the string resonances in the lower midrange. I specifically noted the issues at 225Hz which shows up in the data as well. A subwoofer wouldn’t fix that, unfortunately.
@@ErinsAudioCorner True , but my nephew uses them for mixing (student) and fixing that bump would help him I think . For 300 bucks these are really not bad . I searched the whole sub 300 market (that was his budget) and I could not find anything better . Guess it's time to get out of my lazy chair for another DIY subwoofer build ...
@@gerritgovaerts8443 the resonances were extremely noticeable. I encourage you to have him run some test tones through his speakers to make sure he doesn’t have the same issue as it is quite common (a quick google search revealed many threads about this issue).
@@ErinsAudioCorner Thx a lot , I will !
@@gerritgovaerts8443 can the krk 10s subwoofer work with the monitor speakers in the video?
City Steve here, what do you think of this combination, denon 4800h with svs ultra lcr, svs prime rear, for Hightstown svs elevations, then svs pb-1000pro. I would appreciate your opinion. Keep up the great work.
do you thin the Presonus Eris Sub8 will be a good choice for JBL 305s ?
These or the Kali LP-UNL at the same prise? Thank you!
@Erin's Audio Corner: I own this speakers, paired with an SVS SB-1000 in my PC setup (nearfield listening) for music listening (and movies/games sometimes), I couldn't notice the problem you mention at 39:31 in the mid region but that's because I am new to audio and this are the only speakers I've ever owned... What I would like is a pair of nearfield speakers to pair with my sub that would stay faithful to the source material and give me very good music, can you suggest me something that would outclass the JBL 305p mk2?
If is relevant, my PC desk is far from a wall (2-3 meters away), my price range would be "near the JBL's price or double"
Just wondered, what is the music track that you suggested? I forgot.
Isn’t the 1.6 drop caused from the cut off from the woofer to the tweeter ??
Ever since Samsung acquired the Harman group, things have been going downhill. Many people have complained about the exorbitant JBL HDI speakers having scratch marks on the cabinet. The Revelbe uses cheap MDF cabinets. Arcam AVR’s having dismal performance, I mean these are promoted as ‘Luxury Audio’ brands! Disgraceful!
They better than the Neumi's?
Hmmmm..... with the updates to the Neumi's and stuffing the ports, it's not as clear cut. I would really need to do a blind comparison to say for sure. That said, with the baffle resonance of the 305p, there is no way I would use them; I can't unhear that noise and it aggravates me.
Hi, I'm new in this field, I record voice-over, I have HD650 headphones to clean and edit, and sometimes I think I need to edit on studio monitor, to make sure that's the sound is good on both (speaker and headphones).
I found this one JBL 305P, and I'm about to order one, and then I see this review, and now I'm confused!
Any suggestion for a better choice in its price range?
The issues I had with the baffle resonance seem to be hit or miss. Some have the same issue. Others do not. I’d suggest ordering them through a retailer who offers a good return policy in case you have the same issues. Otherwise, they’re good speakers.
@@ErinsAudioCorner Thanks a lot.
The issue is that I have to order it from another country, thomann-de.
Kali Lp-6 smoke these for the same price.
Wow
I have a question, where do port resonances beam out from? is it from the port/rear itself?
Can we use absorption to effectively deal with it?
From the port itself. I suppose you could use absorption to capture some of the HF portion but it would take substantial thickness to get it if the resonance is in the low/mid frequencies. I would prefer to simply stuff the port.
@@ErinsAudioCorner If we stuff the port then we can't use your awesome data for speaker correction via DSP anymore ;)
no way a 5 in cone beams 1500hz ( 21:23 ) he must have meant to say 2500hz
Half wavelength is key.
Who wants to listen to screaming babies...? I knew I was buying klipsch.. but still ..
Start mineing some ethereum while u can free money