There are so many choices when it comes to studio monitors these days that I often forget that one of the original names in that space is JBL. For years, JBL was the monitor found in many of the best studios. As the smaller choice in JBL’s 7 Series line, The JBL 705P dual-amplified powered monitor makes a compelling case for a place in the spotlight, combining precision and power in a small package that punches above its weight. The 705P’s design feels thoughtfully executed. Its compact form houses a 5-inch woofer with a 1-inch compression tweeter fitted into JBL’s Image Control Waveguide, which collectively delivers a surprising amount of clarity and depth. These monitors provide a great sense of space and definition of mix elements in the sound field that is rarely this good for a monitor of this size.
To start, I set these monitors up to simply listen to music in my living room, connected to a Bluetooth monitor controller. I love to reference music I am familiar with to get a sense of what monitors are capable of delivering in terms of soundstage, frequency response, and overall character. The 705Ps sounded fantastic across a wide range of genres. They delivered loads of heft and clarity with a lovely depth and a strong phantom center image. I also set them up (again with the Bluetooth controller) outside for a party, and they overdelivered, with plenty of power and clarity even at lower volumes.
For studio use, the 705P does not disappoint. The low end is tight and controlled, avoiding the common pitfalls of DSP-created overemphasis that I’ve found in some smaller monitors where it muddles the mix or provides a false sense of bottom end. This articulate bass response is excellent for hearing subtle nuances in the lower frequencies that are crucial for mixing (and potentially mastering) applications. The 705Ps provided plenty of bottom, but some engineers or producers working in hip-hop or EDM genres may desire more bone-rattling subs. For most mixing tasks, it’s a non-issue, and they provided enough – actually, an impressive amount – of low end for a speaker of this size.
The midrange is where this monitor truly shines, providing a rich and transparent presentation of vocals, snare drum, and electric guitars that sit in that critical middle frequency area. Because the 705Ps are pleasing to listen to, I was afraid that I was not hearing things honestly or naked enough, but mixes translated well when switching over to other monitors, my home stereo, and car stereo. The high end is smooth and detailed and didn’t wear me out – even over long listening sessions. The sweet spot seems pretty wide, and I did not notice drastic changes in frequency response when moving back and forth towards the speakers while mixing. For comparison, I have a pair of small Digidesign-branded PMC monitors that I use as a secondary pair of speakers in addition to my mains: A pair of Focal Trio6 Bes [Tape Op #114]. The Digidesign/PMCs are roughly the same size and profile as the 705Ps, and although I recognize the technology has made great leaps since my older monitors were produced, these JBLs steal the show; that’s saying something as I really liked those older monitors.
The room compensation features on the 705Ps are a nice touch. The onboard floating-point DSP helps tailor the monitor’s response to your room, which can be a lifesaver in less-than-ideal acoustic environments. Configuring the room compensation features is a breeze via the small LCD screen and jog wheel on the back of the monitor, which ensures that what you’re hearing is as accurate as possible. I used this feature sparingly because my room is familiar, but it was interesting to engage the room compensation when I set them up in other locations.
Overall, the 705Ps strength lies in its ability to provide a detailed, uncolored representation of your mix, making it an excellent tool for critical audio work or recreation. I truly enjoyed listening and mixing on these monitors and felt connected to the music. I’d be happy to have these as the main monitors in my home studio. They are compact, powerful, and fun to mix on. During my time with them, I found that they translated well across different studios and listening environments. The JBL 705P is not a budget piece of gear, but it is a well-rounded reference monitor that delivers precision and clarity at a fair price. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade their studio setup with a reliable, compact, high-performing monitor. Thumbs up.
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