JBL 306P MkII
MSRP $199.00
“JBL’s 306P MkIIs are the perfect home studio speakers for budding creators.”
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Flat, revealing sound
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Wide, dynamic sound stage
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Elegant design
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Incredibly affordable
We’ve been staunch supporters of JBL’s budget studio monitors since we first spent time with the company’s LSR305 active studio monitors back in 2014. With a shockingly wide stereo image, seriously flat response, and the ability to reproduce bass frequencies well beyond what we’d normally expect from speakers of their size ( and prices), we’ve been recommending the powerful JBL line for years to anyone looking for a killer pair of inexpensive studio monitors.
JBL has since improved the speakers to create the new MkII Series 3 line. We tested the middle model in the series, the 306P, and we’re happy to report that these speakers are even better than their predecessors — and that’s saying something. As far as we’re concerned, the 306P MkIIs are among the best-sounding studio monitors you can buy for their incredibly low price, and even well above it.
Out of the box
Unlike some of its competitors in the space, which aim to drive sales with flashy cases at Guitar Center and other big box stores, the 306P MkII arrives in unassuming cardboard boxes — the first indication that the company has invested in sound whenever possible. . quality. Inside are just the speakers and power cables, as well as an instruction manual for each. As with most studio monitors, you’ll need to grab connecting cables and a digital audio interface to feed them a signal.
Features and design
The jet-black aesthetic of the LSR300 series has been tweaked a bit more on the MkII, with shimmering plastic now surrounding the tweeter and woofer of each speaker like an elegant tuxedo jacket.
Aside from the purely aesthetic change to the front of the speaker, those with a keen eye will notice that JBL has also tweaked the design of its patented Image Control Waveguide technology around the tweeter for an even better stereo image than the LSR305. What looks like a pillow-like cushion that holds each tweeter is actually an extremely precise application of superior acoustic engineering, designed to expand the speaker’s sweet spot.
The plastic surrounding each tweeter and woofer shimmers like an elegant tuxedo.
Waveguide technology is one of the biggest benefits you get when you buy an entry-level speaker from an audio giant like JBL. The technology was first developed for the company’s M2 Master monitors, which originally retailed for a cool $26,000.
Under the hood, JBL has also tweaked the tweeter and woofer, aiming to provide a more linear frequency response at higher volumes. Each speaker is powered by two 56W Class D amplifiers (one for each woofer, one for each tweeter), which delivers a huge amount of sound for such a small-profile speaker. As with the previous iteration, you can get the new Series 3 in 5-inch and 8-inch woofer variants along with a 1-inch tweeter, but the company has also added a 6.5-inch version for the 306P model we tested. It’s a nice mid-range that offers better bass performance than 5-inch speakers, but may be better suited for smaller rooms than 8-inch speakers.
Riley Young/Digital Trends
The back of each speaker has a three-prong power input, a power switch, and XLR and TRS balanced inputs. There are also low and high frequency adjustment switches, which can be used to adjust in less-than-ideal locations — allowing you to cut some bass if you place them in corners or directly on a table and boost or cut the high frequencies, depending on the acoustics of your room . There’s also a volume knob on each speaker, which lets you adjust the volume directly or set them so they never exceed your desired maximum volume, no matter how hard you push the signal.
Set
As with most studio monitors, you’ll want to have a dedicated audio interface or other device that can send a line-level signal to the speakers via a ¼” TRS or XLR cable from your computer or other outboard audio device. We doubt most people interested in a studio monitor-style speaker already have one, but there are a number of great interfaces on the market at affordable prices for those who don’t.
Waveguide technology was first developed for the $26,000 JBL M2 Master monitors.
We tested the 306P MkII speakers in a home studio (acoustically treated basement), plugging them into a Presonus Quantum interface via the TRS monitor output section on the back and connecting the cables to the XLR inputs on the back of the speakers.
The speakers were mounted on stands in a typical near-field listening setup—an equilateral triangle about four feet apart and four feet each from the listening position—with the tweeters positioned at ear level. Because of their placement and room treatment, we didn’t need to use EQ or high frequency adjustments. We set the volume to half-way on each speaker for most of our listening, although we raised and lowered it evenly on both sides at various points during testing.
Performance
Just seconds into our first benchmark track — a perennial audio testing favorite Chain from Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors — we were delighted with the 306P’s waveguide technology, which offers an exceptionally wide soundstage that doesn’t exhibit the same high-frequency phasing issues we often notice when moving our heads around a sweet spot with other affordable monitors. In fact, the JBL’s off-axis performance is quite amazing, offering relatively flat sound no matter where you move in the room.
From close range, they project a massive central image, anchored by beautiful bass Chain centered on expansive stereopanned guitars and vocals.
Riley Young/Digital Trends
It’s really amazing how flat the frequency response is when the speakers are placed in a properly arranged room. Every instrument was alive and dynamic in the mix, and the speakers offered a much stronger bass response than we usually get from anything in their size or price range. Whether listening to beautiful lyrical tracks from Big Thief and Amen Dunes, or settling in for an afternoon with Ty Segall, we were blown away by the depth and detail offered by the JBL 306 MkII when listening to high-quality sound.
But let’s face it, most people are looking at these speakers because they need something honest and reliable for mixing music, podcasts or video audio at home.
It’s really amazing how flat the frequency response is.
When used in conjunction with Pro Tools 12 and our mixing interface, we found it very easy to balance mixes, adjust equalization settings, and add compression, finding that our mixes always translated as expected to other devices and listening settings. Our only gripe was that the speakers had a small amount of amp hiss when in a very quiet room with no sound, but that’s to be expected from any powered speaker with this volume potential and at this price point, and it became imperceptible when whenever a sound is heard played at any volume.
As in most mixing environments, a balanced speaker placement room is a key component to creating an accurate mix, but the JBL Series 3 speakers alone were easily up to the task of creating excellent mixes with plenty of depth. Simply put, there’s no reason that someone with enough skill couldn’t mix a fantastic-sounding album, podcast, or other project on these speakers. Unlike comparable options we’ve heard in this price range, the 306 MkIIs are very transparent and honest — just what you need for the real deal that will sound good anywhere.
Warranty information
JBL offers an excellent 5-year warranty on professional speaker products (excluding enclosures). The warranty on amplifiers is three years, and on cases two. The warranty covers materials and workmanship.
Our example
The JBL 306P MkII is an exceptional pair of studio monitors, absolutely worth buying for content creators who want more serious insight into their sound at an affordable price.
Is there a better alternative?
Frankly, we haven’t heard a pair of studio monitors that perform this well for $400. However, those interested in a serious pair of project speakers may also want to check out the Yamaha HS5 and KRK Rokit 6 G3, both of which remain popular with home content creators.
How long will it last?
JBL has a very long history of making great products and we know countless people who have kept their older Series 3 LSR speakers for years with no complaints. We expect it to be the same for the next model.
Should you buy them?
That. If you’re looking for a set of affordable studio monitors to help you get the most out of your projects, we couldn’t recommend anything better. These are simply the best we’ve tested for their price, and they’re just what you need to take your work to the next level.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn