JBL 306P MKII review: the best guide before buying!

As it turns out, there aren’t many options when it comes to finding a good studio monitor. While it’s true that innovation has come a long way in studio monitors, in today’s modern age, you’ll be disappointed if you’re looking for something good and aren’t ready to spend a lot of money on it.

Luckily, companies like the legendary JBL Performance have made a name for themselves by finding the perfect balance between high quality and low prices. Since then, JBL has made the speakers better and made the new 3-series MkII line. 

This review will focus on the JBL 306P MKII and how well it works as a standalone set of passive speakers. Even though the 306P isn’t completely new, it is an improvement on almost everything JBL Pro has done before.

Unlike some competitors in the same field, the 306P MkII comes in plain cardboard boxes. This is the first sign that the company has saved money wherever it can to put it into sound quality. There are only the speakers, power cables, and an instruction book for each one inside. Connect them to your computer and play music through a digital audio interface, just like with most studio monitors.

Why You Should Read Reviews Before Buying

While finding a perfect set of studio monitors (or any other devices for that matter) can be a bit of a headache, it’s important for you to explore more on your options rather than settling down on the first thing that you see. As smart buyers, we know how important it is to do research on a product and think about its pros and cons before we buy it. with that, it’s great that the internet gives us access to so much information that we can learn everything we need to know about a piece of equipment before we decide to buy it. So, there should be no excuses on your part as a smart buyer.

Buy here

Design and Build

The JBL LSR300 series may look very sleek and black, but the MkII takes it a step further by adding shimmering plastic around the tweeter and woofer of each speaker, making them look like they’re wearing a fancy tux.

The front of the speakers has been changed only for looks. However, people with good eyesight will also notice that JBL has changed the way its patented Image Control Waveguide technology is built around the tweeter to make the stereo image even better than the LSR305. The cushion that looks like a pillow around each tweeter is actually a very precise piece of high-level acoustic engineering meant to make the speakers’ sweet spot bigger.

Around the tweeter, the 306P also has Control Waveguide technology. These not only help make a great sound, but they also give it a pillow-like shape that stands out every time you look at it.

Moreover, the amplifiers have a three-year warranty, while the cases only have a two-year warranty. Both the materials and the labor are covered by the guarantee.

Specifications

With two 56-watt class D amplifiers running in each speaker, the 306P has a total power of about 224 watts. Regarding the speakers’ size, this gives you a great range. The sound is fine for most studios and smaller rooms; it won’t fill a stadium like other speakers would.

At all times, the JBL 306P can produce a great sound that is both balanced and accurate. This is true in all areas, so you can enjoy good sound even when your speakers are super loud. One-inch tweeter and a 6.5-inch woofer make up the 306P. They can output high frequencies between 39Hz and 24kHz with it, and their neutral frequency response goes from 47Hz at the low end to 20kHz at the high end. These settings make sure that you can hear all the sounds, from the very low to the very high.

Controls

Each speaker has an XLR balanced input and a TRS unbalanced input located on the back. There are low-frequency and high-frequency adjustment switches that can be used to compensate for less-than-ideal placements, such as reducing bass if the headphones are to be placed in a corner or directly on top of a desk and increasing or decreasing high-frequency amplification depending on the room’s acoustics. Each speaker also features a volume control that allows you to fine-tune the volume or limit the input signal so that the speakers never play louder than you’d like.

Sound Quality

JBL has always had a reputation for producing high-quality audio equipment, especially speakers.

Their impressively flat sound across the entire frequency range is a result of both the high-quality treatment given to their tweeter and woofer and the use of their patented waveguide technologies.

Connectivity

The JBL 306P MKII speaker provides a number of options for connecting to other devices. It has a power switch and power input at the back, as well as a combo port that accepts either an XLR or a TRS input jack.

Tuning Abilities

The 306P MKII falls short in this respect, unfortunately. The speaker features a high- and low-frequency EQ toggle for customized sound. If the acoustics of your current location aren’t ideal, these will help you make the necessary adjustments.

If the room’s acoustics aren’t ideal or if you’ve thrown the speakers into a corner and want the bass response to roll off more smoothly, this is the way to go.

Each speaker has a volume control that can be used to adjust the volume or to set a maximum level that the speakers will never play at. It doesn’t matter how much pressure you put on them, they won’t change. 

Takeaway

Indeed, the JBL 306P MkII has so much to offer given that it’s cheaper than most decent-sounding speakers available in the market. JBL has been producing high-quality goods for decades, and time has proven that the 306P MKII manages to be the ideal choice for virtually all listeners, in contrast to other speakers that appeal to some but not all.

The speakers do sound a little old in some places, but not nearly as much as one might have thought. The 306P still has a lot of good points, and it would be a great set of studio monitors for those who could appreciate them.