---
product_id: 958988
title: "JBL Professional LSR305 First-Generation 5\" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor (LSR305)"
brand: "jbl"
price: "€ 458.29"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.nl/products/958988-jbl-professional-lsr305-first-generation-5-2-way-powered-studio
store_origin: NL
region: Netherlands
---

# 82W peak power output Balanced XLR & 1/4" TRS inputs Adjustable HF & LF trim controls JBL Professional LSR305 First-Generation 5" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor (LSR305)

**Brand:** jbl
**Price:** € 458.29
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎧 Mix Like a Pro, Hear Every Detail — Don’t Miss Out on JBL’s Legendary Studio Sound!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** JBL Professional LSR305 First-Generation 5" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor (LSR305) by jbl
- **How much does it cost?** € 458.29 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nl](https://www.desertcart.nl/products/958988-jbl-professional-lsr305-first-generation-5-2-way-powered-studio)

## Best For

- jbl enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted jbl brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Compact Yet Powerful:** 5" low-frequency driver and 1" soft dome tweeter pack big sound in a sleek, room-friendly footprint.
- • **Precision Audio Clarity:** Experience studio-grade neutral sound with JBL’s flagship-inspired design for mixing perfection.
- • **Dynamic Bi-Amplification:** Separate 41W Class-D amps for lows and highs deliver punchy bass and crisp highs without distortion.
- • **Wide Sweet Spot Coverage:** Enjoy consistent, accurate sound across a broad listening area—no need to be glued to the speakers.
- • **Flexible Pro Connectivity:** Seamlessly integrate with professional gear via balanced XLR and TRS inputs plus input sensitivity switch.

## Overview

The JBL Professional LSR305 is a first-generation 5" 2-way powered studio monitor engineered for precise, neutral sound reproduction. Featuring bi-amplified Class-D 41W RMS drivers, balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs, and adjustable HF/LF trims, it delivers a broad sweet spot ideal for nearfield mixing. Its design is inspired by JBL’s flagship M2 monitors, offering exceptional detail and dynamic range at an unbeatable value for home studios and professional setups alike.

## Description

Bi-amplified Studio Monitor with Magnetically-Shielded 5” Low Frequency Transducer and 1” Soft-Dome High Frequency Transducer and Image Control Wave Guide. Class-D 41 Watt RMS Amplifier for LF, and 41 Watt RMS Amplifier for HF. Balanced XLR and ¼” TRS Inputs with Detented Level Control, HF and LF Trim Controls. LSR305 Includes US Power Cord.

Review: Good Value for Money, But With Stands Becomes Great - Using these on my desktop in my home office / hobbyist DAW. Currently running a Schiit Mjolnir 2 straight to to the LSR305 pair over balanced / XLR connection. All trim settings are currently set to flat. Speakers are currently sitting on Iso Acoustics stands, which make a huge improvement in sound. My listening position is about 3 feet / 1 meter from the speakers -- true nearfield. Previous speakers were Dynaudio Audience 42, which were purchased about 10 years ago for about $850 a pair. There are a few things the Dynaudios are better at (treble is a little smoother, midrange a little lusher, overall max volume a tad higher, box a tad smaller and more solid, better fit and finish), but overall the JBL LSR305s are better at pretty much everything else (low frequency extension, dynamic punch, quickness, decay, dispersion, more detailed and revealing) and have replaced the EISA award-winning Audience 42 in my desktop system. The JBLs are much closer to the speed and dynamics of the Martin Logan electrostatics in my main living room rig. Overall, the JBL LSR305 pair beats the Dynaudio Audience 42s convincingly on rock, disco, electronica, dance, and pop. No contest at all. For acoustic, classical, and jazz, it's more of stalemate, with the Dyns being darker, lusher, and smoother and the JBLs being more dynamic (both micro- and macro-) and more 'live' sounding; it's hard to say which I prefer for these genres. Tube-rolling the Mjolnir 2 may add a touch of lushness back. Also, the JBLs are more revealing of lossy and dynamic compression artifacts in MP3s, whereas the Dynaudios were more forgiving. Some songs that were borderline on the Dyns have become noticeably inferior on the JBLs. Not more fatiguing...just noticeably more 'meh'. As for the stands: adding the Iso Acoustics stands is amazing upgrade, especially for the price. Cabinet resonances go down, bass gets tighter, imaging improves immensely. But boundary reflections go down, so you have have to reposition / re-EQ to get tonality back where you want it. However, stands are essential to get the most if you're going to use it on a desktop. Little nits that still need work: 1. The top-most octave has more air than I'm used to. I have to decide if I like this, or if I want to dial it back either via the trim controls or other EQ. 2. Imaging -- the center-fill and phantom center is really really good, the best I've heard on a desktop. However, I haven't got the soundstage beyond the boundaries of the left and right speakers yet. However, this could be a result of positioning / placement, how close I sit, etc. Will need to fiddle around a little more. 3. The box could be a bit deader. Just to be clear, I don't hear it audibly resonating, buzzing, or otherwise making noise. But I can tell, compared to the best mini monitors I've heard or owned, it's a bit more acoustically live which means the magical sensation of 'the boxes disappearing' isn't happening 100%. More like 70%. (For the record, the best box speaker disappearing act I've heard was the original NHT Super Zero, but those little guys only went down to about 80 Hz and the box was teeny tiny, but solid as a brick). We'll see if / how much the Iso Acoustics stands improve this. 4. The hiss: others have reported this, I didn't ever notice this or hear it until I read about it. And, yes, my copies have hiss, too when nothing is playing, but I can only hear it if I put my ears about 3" from the drivers. It's not otherwise noticeable. 5. Subwoofer or not? I've heard the matching 10" LSR310s subwoofer integrated with the LSR305 at a local Guitar Center it's a great pairing for the money for music and for nearfield listening. Do I need it? No. In my ~10' x 10' home office / hobby mixing studio, the 305s put out a musically satisfying amount of bass. Kick drums are wicked fast and dynamic, electric bass is tight and groovy. For mixing, it's great, as the 43 Hz extension covers the lowest note on a bass guitar. What's missing is the last 5% of visceral impact...feeling it in my body...that 5" drivers just can't do. But with bass, less is often more and there is a fine line where more bass just turns into more problems. I've told myself I'll live with these guys for at least a month, getting them more broken in, before I make a decision about adding a subwoofer. I paid ~$250 for my pair. Sometimes you can get it even cheaper. This is an *astounding* value. The fact that it can go toe-to-toe in a near field setting with (albeit a bit vintage) Dynaudios that cost almost 4x the price is an impressive testament to JBLs engineering of these monitors. I'm tempted to get a 2nd pair and hook it up to an Airport Express for easy Airplay streaming in other rooms of my house. If I ever had to move to an apartment, condo or other setting where I could no longer have my beloved Martin Logan electrostats, I could be pretty damn happy long term with a pair of JBL LSR305 and a great set of headphones.
Review: Very good for the price: flat, neutral & professional - These are studio monitors. My review will talk about what they do, what they don't do, who should buy them, and the value. I'll mention a few small issues. So what are studio monitors? Basically, if you record or mix down your own music, you need a special pair of speakers to check your mix. You can't do that on headphones--your mix--the way the different tracks of music sound together--won't resolve spatially (there's no real space with headphones). So this special product was designed to address this issue, as well as provide a live playback in the studio, and so on. Studio monitors do not have an exact definition, and there are different kinds. If you go into a music studio, the monitors are usually set up wrong, anyway. And so it goes. These tend towards what I would call "near field" which means, well, you sit near them. Not really near, but near. High frequencies lose energy over distance, so if you sit too far away they will sound dull. How are they different from a pair of stereo speakers in a hifi system? Well, they are designed in most cases to be flat and neutral, and not impart an attractive EQ, color or bias to the sound. So as far as speakers go, they sound, well, flat and colorless. And that's good for checking your mixes, but not so good for easy listening. Ideally, they should be revealing and mostly unforgiving. You want the truth, just like the ad says. Also, since these are not shielded (more on this later) they are a dud for computer speakers. And, they are for a solo listener. You have to be in the focus point, they focus like a good camera lens--that makes them special, but also a specialty item. So, so far, they from my description they sound like the box they came in. But in fact, they are great. Because when set up properly, you--the listener--and the speakers form the three points of a triangle. And after a few experiments (depending on your room acoustic), when they are set up right, the stereo image snaps into focus, and you can use them exactly they way they should be used--to check a mix. Any little problem in the mix is revealed, and you can quickly find the best mix (assuming you know how to mix). Note that in this triangle, the speakers angle towards the listener, at around 30 degrees. If you move a foot to the right or left, the image snaps out of focus. So basically, if you are looking for studio monitors for mixing on a budget, look no further. These do the job and do it well. They do it better. There are a few minor issues, again, remembering that these are a bargain. First is that the bass port fires towards the back wall. This is always problematic, depending on the room you are in. Having said that, in the focus position in the triangle the bass is reasonably well controlled. Also, the bass really does hit around say 42-48 Hz--it won't hit the lowest note of a large church organ, but double bass or electric bass, pretty good. Next, there is a resonant frequency in the case. That is, if you tap on the case, it has a note. This is surprising for a JBL design, and I guess this in one area where they cut corners. You could open up the case and apply some damping material, but then you risk the warranty and you might make it worse. If I find an easy mod or see one I'll try to post it. Resonant nodes are a common problem in audio, and this is a present, but minor quibble. Much has been written about the tweeter of this speaker and the diffracting pattern supposedly borrowed from more expensive designs. First of all, almost all speakers make this claim of "porting" expensive design components to lower models. In this case, the high frequencies, according to the hype, are less directional--more evenly dispersed. Well, this is pretty much rubbish, it is a cheap plastic design, and the high frequencies are very directional. But the fact is, that's what you want in a studio monitor--you want to sit in the focus point and hear a very accurate representation of the mix. It's a decent sounding tweeter, but if you want good sounding speakers, get JBL "regular" speakers, not these, or the perennial favorite Bowers & Wilkins. These are studio monitors. Next on the minor annoyances list is the overall shielding and hum rejection. There are two inputs, one for phono jacks and one for XLR cables. Now, you can hook up an RCA or banana plug combo--using adapters--from a stereo and drive these speakers (these are powered speakers, so they work with or without an amp or preamp). But the fact is, they just don't work well. Drive them from a sound card, they just don't do the job, they pick up hum and the sound is a bit off. But drive them from, say, an RME interface, or anything with decent balanced XLRs (say a mid range Focusrite, or, my fave, Grace audio), flip the switch from "consumer" to "professional" input level (they are "consumer" by default, at least on my set) and be prepared to be surprised, they do pretty well. The noise goes away. They are also susceptible to hum from dimmers, or electromagnetic hum. The tweeter is just a little bit less bright than flat--that is, there is almost a hint of ribbon in the sound. Not a bad thing, but don't set your mix too bright to compensate. Lastly, there is a very slight color to the sound, a hint of dark chocolate, sometimes edging ever so slightly towards murk. No biggie, but a slight coloration. As another reviewer perspicaciously noted, the coloration is similar to the Audio Technica ATHM50 headphones, so they make a complimentary pair. Compared to my Sennheiser HD600s, they are slightly darker. JBL claims the speakers are "pre" broken in, mine settled in and sounded noticeably different after about twenty hours, so don't mix anything serious until they have moved some air, IMHO. Again, these are some problems, but if set up right with the right cables, you are in business. And so, recommended. And better than anything in the price range. Who are they for: the budget home recording studio Not for: not for home stereo, computer speakers, multiple listeners Other notes: You will need XLR cables, and longer power cords than the ones supplied. There's no protective grill. The speakers have a very wide range for such a small box. Since there is no shielding, they are not too heavy--save the boxes for transport owing to the exposed cones. Do not forget to follow the setup pattern indicated in the obtuse instructions--if they aren't angled in (a very common setup mistake), the highs will be seriously skewed. There's a minimalist EQ switch on the back, I recommend you don't use this. Have fun, and happy mixing.

## Features

- The original first generation of the legendary JBL Professional 3 series Studio Monitors
- The impressive performance of the 3 Series Reference Monitors is the result of JBL's development of its flagship M2 Master Reference Monitor
- Increased HF Detail: You'll experience greater depth and ambience in recordings, and subtle details can be heard, even in a dense mix
- Room-Friendly: This means you don't have to be right in front of the speakers to make accurate adjustments to your mix
- Broad Sweet Spot: 3-Series speakers deliver neutral sound across an unusually large working space regardless of room acoustics
- Flexible connectivity with balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs, +4dBu / -10dBV input-sensitivity switch and adjustable volume control
- Purchase includes: LSR305 studio monitor (x1), Power Cord (x1), quick set-up guide (x1), peel-off rubber pads (x4)
- Pair with the JBL LSR310S Powered Studio Subwoofer to extend your LF range all the way down!
- SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO:75dBA (A-Weighted), 70dBr (unweighted), relative to 2.83VRMS output

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B00DUKP37C |
| Antenna Location | Adjustable,Volume Control |
| Audio Driver Size | 5 Inches |
| Audio Driver Type | Dynamic Driver |
| Audio Output Mode | Stereo |
| Brand | JBL |
| Built-In Media | Purchase includes: 306P MKII studio monitor (x1), Power Cord (x1), quick set-up guide (x1), peel-off rubber pads (x4) |
| Color | Black |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, Laptop |
| Compatible with Vehicle Type | Car |
| Connectivity Protocol | XLR |
| Connectivity Technology | 1 x XLR, 1 x TRS Balanced |
| Control Method | Remote |
| Controller Type | Corded Electric |
| Customer Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Customer Reviews | 3.6 out of 5 stars 524 Reviews |
| Frequency Response | 24000 Hz |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00050036904599 |
| Is Electric | Yes |
| Is Waterproof | FALSE |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 13"D x 10"W x 15"H |
| Item Height | 10 inches |
| Item Weight | 4.6 Kilograms |
| MP3 player | No |
| Manufacturer | JBL |
| Model Name | LSR305 |
| Model Number | LSR305 |
| Mounting Type | Floor Standing |
| Number Of Circuits | 2 |
| Number of Audio Channels | 2.0 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Series Number | 3 |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 75 dB |
| Speaker Maximum Output Power | 82 Watts |
| Speaker Size | 6.5 Inches |
| Speaker Type | Subwoofer |
| Subwoofer Connectivity Technology | Wired |
| Subwoofer Diameter | 5 Inches |
| Tweeter Diameter | 1 Inches |
| UPC | 050036904605 050036904599 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Warranty Description | 90 days |
| Warranty Type | Limited |
| Wireless Technology | XLR |
| Woofer Diameter | 5 Inches |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** JBL
- **Speaker Maximum Output Power:** 82 Watts
- **Frequency Response:** 24000 Hz
- **Connectivity Technology:** 1 x XLR, 1 x TRS Balanced
- **Audio Output Mode:** Stereo

## Images

![JBL Professional LSR305 First-Generation 5" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor (LSR305) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61PUwvQswWL.jpg)
![JBL Professional LSR305 First-Generation 5" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor (LSR305) - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Q-XF41N1L.jpg)
![JBL Professional LSR305 First-Generation 5" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor (LSR305) - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Rz62UeeRL.jpg)
![JBL Professional LSR305 First-Generation 5" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor (LSR305) - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71cPH+LWjxL.jpg)
![JBL Professional LSR305 First-Generation 5" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor (LSR305) - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Ls5qoEgKL.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: is this the price for the pair?**
A: I find it pretty funny that someone else answered "No, but you can buy two of them at twice the price" because I was writing to point out you can ALSO buy two of them at the SAME price, so, in a way, this IS the price for the pair, just not ordered at Amazon. B&H Photo is selling two of these speakers for the current Amazon price of one ($152.10) if you use code PRECYBER.

**Q: How directional are these?  I want to use them for general music/movies and can't have them on stands at ear level.  will they fill a 10x10 room?**
A: The horizontal dispersion of these is incredibly wide, but the vertical dispersion is much narrower - assuming 6' listening distance and the speakers sitting flat, you would start losing top end about 4' above the tweeters. This could be solved with some mopads or similar with an upward tilt though. As for filling a 10' x 10' room with sound, it will, but with nowhere near the bass impact they have in near-field. I use a pair of these for outdoor listening at low-moderate levels, and add 12dB of EQ below 110Hz, with a 30Hz 24dB/octave high pass filter, and they sound like much bigger speakers than they really are, but with the level of EQ applied obviously can't be pushed hard. In a room with careful placement to optimize bottom end, you could probably get away with 3-6dB of boost in the bottom end to get them filling the room. That said, adding the LSR310S would be the best solution for room filling sound with these monitors...

**Q: hi, is this active or passive? can I plug them directly to the computer or do I need an amplifier to power them? I have an 8 channel passive mixer too**
A: I wish one of them were passive and they sold them in pairs. Both are active, meaning 2 power supply.

**Q: What cables do I need to connect this to my laptop or android phone? Are there cables available that are longer than 10 ft? Thanks!**
A: There are no cables included with these monitors. You would need a cable with 2 male 1/4" TS or XLR to a 3.5mm TRS - http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP159-Stereo-Breakout-10-Feet/dp/B005HGM1D6/ref=pd_cp_MI_0   You then would split the two male TS' with one going to each speaker so in essence the 10' cable will become 20' when split. You're going to love these monitors!By the way, the red TS goes to the right channel.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good Value for Money, But With Stands Becomes Great
*by D***S on December 28, 2015*

Using these on my desktop in my home office / hobbyist DAW. Currently running a Schiit Mjolnir 2 straight to to the LSR305 pair over balanced / XLR connection. All trim settings are currently set to flat. Speakers are currently sitting on Iso Acoustics stands, which make a huge improvement in sound. My listening position is about 3 feet / 1 meter from the speakers -- true nearfield. Previous speakers were Dynaudio Audience 42, which were purchased about 10 years ago for about $850 a pair. There are a few things the Dynaudios are better at (treble is a little smoother, midrange a little lusher, overall max volume a tad higher, box a tad smaller and more solid, better fit and finish), but overall the JBL LSR305s are better at pretty much everything else (low frequency extension, dynamic punch, quickness, decay, dispersion, more detailed and revealing) and have replaced the EISA award-winning Audience 42 in my desktop system. The JBLs are much closer to the speed and dynamics of the Martin Logan electrostatics in my main living room rig. Overall, the JBL LSR305 pair beats the Dynaudio Audience 42s convincingly on rock, disco, electronica, dance, and pop. No contest at all. For acoustic, classical, and jazz, it's more of stalemate, with the Dyns being darker, lusher, and smoother and the JBLs being more dynamic (both micro- and macro-) and more 'live' sounding; it's hard to say which I prefer for these genres. Tube-rolling the Mjolnir 2 may add a touch of lushness back. Also, the JBLs are more revealing of lossy and dynamic compression artifacts in MP3s, whereas the Dynaudios were more forgiving. Some songs that were borderline on the Dyns have become noticeably inferior on the JBLs. Not more fatiguing...just noticeably more 'meh'. As for the stands: adding the Iso Acoustics stands is amazing upgrade, especially for the price. Cabinet resonances go down, bass gets tighter, imaging improves immensely. But boundary reflections go down, so you have have to reposition / re-EQ to get tonality back where you want it. However, stands are essential to get the most if you're going to use it on a desktop. Little nits that still need work: 1. The top-most octave has more air than I'm used to. I have to decide if I like this, or if I want to dial it back either via the trim controls or other EQ. 2. Imaging -- the center-fill and phantom center is really really good, the best I've heard on a desktop. However, I haven't got the soundstage beyond the boundaries of the left and right speakers yet. However, this could be a result of positioning / placement, how close I sit, etc. Will need to fiddle around a little more. 3. The box could be a bit deader. Just to be clear, I don't hear it audibly resonating, buzzing, or otherwise making noise. But I can tell, compared to the best mini monitors I've heard or owned, it's a bit more acoustically live which means the magical sensation of 'the boxes disappearing' isn't happening 100%. More like 70%. (For the record, the best box speaker disappearing act I've heard was the original NHT Super Zero, but those little guys only went down to about 80 Hz and the box was teeny tiny, but solid as a brick). We'll see if / how much the Iso Acoustics stands improve this. 4. The hiss: others have reported this, I didn't ever notice this or hear it until I read about it. And, yes, my copies have hiss, too when nothing is playing, but I can only hear it if I put my ears about 3" from the drivers. It's not otherwise noticeable. 5. Subwoofer or not? I've heard the matching 10" LSR310s subwoofer integrated with the LSR305 at a local Guitar Center it's a great pairing for the money for music and for nearfield listening. Do I need it? No. In my ~10' x 10' home office / hobby mixing studio, the 305s put out a musically satisfying amount of bass. Kick drums are wicked fast and dynamic, electric bass is tight and groovy. For mixing, it's great, as the 43 Hz extension covers the lowest note on a bass guitar. What's missing is the last 5% of visceral impact...feeling it in my body...that 5" drivers just can't do. But with bass, less is often more and there is a fine line where more bass just turns into more problems. I've told myself I'll live with these guys for at least a month, getting them more broken in, before I make a decision about adding a subwoofer. I paid ~$250 for my pair. Sometimes you can get it even cheaper. This is an *astounding* value. The fact that it can go toe-to-toe in a near field setting with (albeit a bit vintage) Dynaudios that cost almost 4x the price is an impressive testament to JBLs engineering of these monitors. I'm tempted to get a 2nd pair and hook it up to an Airport Express for easy Airplay streaming in other rooms of my house. If I ever had to move to an apartment, condo or other setting where I could no longer have my beloved Martin Logan electrostats, I could be pretty damn happy long term with a pair of JBL LSR305 and a great set of headphones.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very good for the price: flat, neutral & professional
*by D***E on November 7, 2014*

These are studio monitors. My review will talk about what they do, what they don't do, who should buy them, and the value. I'll mention a few small issues. So what are studio monitors? Basically, if you record or mix down your own music, you need a special pair of speakers to check your mix. You can't do that on headphones--your mix--the way the different tracks of music sound together--won't resolve spatially (there's no real space with headphones). So this special product was designed to address this issue, as well as provide a live playback in the studio, and so on. Studio monitors do not have an exact definition, and there are different kinds. If you go into a music studio, the monitors are usually set up wrong, anyway. And so it goes. These tend towards what I would call "near field" which means, well, you sit near them. Not really near, but near. High frequencies lose energy over distance, so if you sit too far away they will sound dull. How are they different from a pair of stereo speakers in a hifi system? Well, they are designed in most cases to be flat and neutral, and not impart an attractive EQ, color or bias to the sound. So as far as speakers go, they sound, well, flat and colorless. And that's good for checking your mixes, but not so good for easy listening. Ideally, they should be revealing and mostly unforgiving. You want the truth, just like the ad says. Also, since these are not shielded (more on this later) they are a dud for computer speakers. And, they are for a solo listener. You have to be in the focus point, they focus like a good camera lens--that makes them special, but also a specialty item. So, so far, they from my description they sound like the box they came in. But in fact, they are great. Because when set up properly, you--the listener--and the speakers form the three points of a triangle. And after a few experiments (depending on your room acoustic), when they are set up right, the stereo image snaps into focus, and you can use them exactly they way they should be used--to check a mix. Any little problem in the mix is revealed, and you can quickly find the best mix (assuming you know how to mix). Note that in this triangle, the speakers angle towards the listener, at around 30 degrees. If you move a foot to the right or left, the image snaps out of focus. So basically, if you are looking for studio monitors for mixing on a budget, look no further. These do the job and do it well. They do it better. There are a few minor issues, again, remembering that these are a bargain. First is that the bass port fires towards the back wall. This is always problematic, depending on the room you are in. Having said that, in the focus position in the triangle the bass is reasonably well controlled. Also, the bass really does hit around say 42-48 Hz--it won't hit the lowest note of a large church organ, but double bass or electric bass, pretty good. Next, there is a resonant frequency in the case. That is, if you tap on the case, it has a note. This is surprising for a JBL design, and I guess this in one area where they cut corners. You could open up the case and apply some damping material, but then you risk the warranty and you might make it worse. If I find an easy mod or see one I'll try to post it. Resonant nodes are a common problem in audio, and this is a present, but minor quibble. Much has been written about the tweeter of this speaker and the diffracting pattern supposedly borrowed from more expensive designs. First of all, almost all speakers make this claim of "porting" expensive design components to lower models. In this case, the high frequencies, according to the hype, are less directional--more evenly dispersed. Well, this is pretty much rubbish, it is a cheap plastic design, and the high frequencies are very directional. But the fact is, that's what you want in a studio monitor--you want to sit in the focus point and hear a very accurate representation of the mix. It's a decent sounding tweeter, but if you want good sounding speakers, get JBL "regular" speakers, not these, or the perennial favorite Bowers & Wilkins. These are studio monitors. Next on the minor annoyances list is the overall shielding and hum rejection. There are two inputs, one for phono jacks and one for XLR cables. Now, you can hook up an RCA or banana plug combo--using adapters--from a stereo and drive these speakers (these are powered speakers, so they work with or without an amp or preamp). But the fact is, they just don't work well. Drive them from a sound card, they just don't do the job, they pick up hum and the sound is a bit off. But drive them from, say, an RME interface, or anything with decent balanced XLRs (say a mid range Focusrite, or, my fave, Grace audio), flip the switch from "consumer" to "professional" input level (they are "consumer" by default, at least on my set) and be prepared to be surprised, they do pretty well. The noise goes away. They are also susceptible to hum from dimmers, or electromagnetic hum. The tweeter is just a little bit less bright than flat--that is, there is almost a hint of ribbon in the sound. Not a bad thing, but don't set your mix too bright to compensate. Lastly, there is a very slight color to the sound, a hint of dark chocolate, sometimes edging ever so slightly towards murk. No biggie, but a slight coloration. As another reviewer perspicaciously noted, the coloration is similar to the Audio Technica ATHM50 headphones, so they make a complimentary pair. Compared to my Sennheiser HD600s, they are slightly darker. JBL claims the speakers are "pre" broken in, mine settled in and sounded noticeably different after about twenty hours, so don't mix anything serious until they have moved some air, IMHO. Again, these are some problems, but if set up right with the right cables, you are in business. And so, recommended. And better than anything in the price range. Who are they for: the budget home recording studio Not for: not for home stereo, computer speakers, multiple listeners Other notes: You will need XLR cables, and longer power cords than the ones supplied. There's no protective grill. The speakers have a very wide range for such a small box. Since there is no shielding, they are not too heavy--save the boxes for transport owing to the exposed cones. Do not forget to follow the setup pattern indicated in the obtuse instructions--if they aren't angled in (a very common setup mistake), the highs will be seriously skewed. There's a minimalist EQ switch on the back, I recommend you don't use this. Have fun, and happy mixing.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ perfect for even the most frugal music enthusiasts
*by A***R on September 26, 2016*

Most musicians know that when working in a music studio, the quality of the equipment being used can directly influence the quality of the sounds in the finished product. Because of this, producers agree that the studio speakers need to accurately depict the full range of frequencies in a song. That is one of the reasons I decided to purchase a pair JBL LSR305’s two years ago. In addition to its surprisingly flat frequency spectrum, the LSR305 offers professional quality at a consumer price; perfect for even the most frugal music enthusiasts. Finally, their size dimensions allow the LSR’s to fit anywhere from a small bedroom to a full recording studio. Frequency Response The first thing I noticed after testing the LSR305’s was the incredible sound quality they produced. As pictured in the frequency response graph below, the LSR305’s emit an incredibly balanced sound ensuring certain pitches do not stand out. Having a balanced spectrum is arguably the most sought after feature for musicians shopping for new monitors because they will portray the music almost exactly as it was initially recorded. As the volume is increased, many listeners can expect some sound distortion, even from higher end monitors. Fortunately, that is not the case for the LSR305’s. Listening at the near-maximum levels provides the same quality as lower volumes with no noticeable signs of distortion. Because of this, these monitors are not only perfect for aspiring musicians, but are also great for events and parties. Even though the quality of these monitors is on par with other professional products, it may become evident to some users that the LSR305’s sacrifice a small amount of volume for their sound quality. However, this minor setback stems from the necessity of a distortion-free sound rendering the lower volume limit a circumstantial obstacle. Pricing When putting together a home studio, having a budget is essential for picking the products that work best for you. Expenses for necessary equipment can rack up quickly so it is important that the products being purchased a good value to the consumer. The JBL LSR305’s are no exception as they provide professional quality at a consumer price. At only $300 for the pair, the LSR305’s are one of the most inexpensive 5 inch monitors on the market right now. Because of their price, they make a great addition to even the most pennywise musician’s recording studio. Size & Dimensions When designing the LSR305’s, it is clear that the engineers at JBL did not waste any space for the final product. Unlike the competing Pioneer Built5 monitors, the JBL chose to use a taller, skinnier shape for the LSR305’s. As a result, these monitors are able to fit more comfortably on a variety of shelves, stands, and entertainment centers without sacrificing resting stability. Weighing in at just over 10 pounds, the LSR305’s are also quite a bit lighter than the Built5’s (14.33lbs). As a result, musicians on the go will find ease in transporting these between locations. Conclusion Once again, JBL has created another practical piece of equipment that continues to satisfy musicians and enthusiasts alike. From its pristine sound quality to its ergonomic design, the LSR305 studio monitors are an ideal fit for anyone that wants to improve their listening experience in the studio, living room, and everywhere in between. I highly recommend this product to people who want to get the most out of the music they create or idolize without breaking the bank.

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