And that simple, single sentence, of no more than 23 words, marked a momentous moment in both the history of studio monitoring and of MusicTech advice. Bass response is right up there, big, powerful and bouncy and reverbs – always a good test for detail – come through very clearly against some more complex parts of the mix. One of my favorite recordings of male vocals, "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)" by Dean Martin just doesn't hit me the same way it does with other speakers. Use the input control to select Aux, Bluetooth, RCA, TRS or all of them simultaneously; quickly switching between tasks, swapping to all inputs for straightforward mixing, or instantly checking your references has never been so easy. Bass begins to disappear rapidly below 100Hz, as you’d expect for such a small speaker, but it’s the high frequencies that are a little unruly.

But if you need something that will get you the Hollywood unfair competitive advantage, you’ll need to look to a larger JBL speaker. And, JBL 104-BT Reference Monitors' dual 1/4-inch balanced, dual RCA and single 1/8-inch inputs accommodate a wide range of signal sources.

An ideal choice for budding bedroom studio producers, the 104-BT set enables users to get a rivetting audio projection and sound without breaking the bank. Let me be clear: this is not the absolute last word in clarity, but the JBL’s really are very listenable for the money. It then occurred to me that the amplifier in the master unit may have an EQ it applies to what it feeds the drivers. First off, let me state that I am a huge fan of using the original Auratone 5C Sound Cubes for mixing.

These speakers are also a big step up verses the typical junk that comes with a desktop computer or are built into a computer monitor. Coaxial speakers (tweeter in the middle of the woofer) are often really good at this, and these are no exception. Once you get above 6kHz, noticeable peaks and troughs in the response mean that some tracks can sound super-detailed and others can sound a bit harsh. With ears like his, he can also tell if four figure speakers really are worth the extra cash, for what can sometimes be just a fraction of a percent in terms of quality.

Whether you are podcasting, creating online content, or mixing your latest jam session, the JBL 104 can help you take your sound to the next level. To make it as easy as possible for you to get the gear you want, we offer a range of instant finance options.

A lot of speakers that I have are fine at "regular" volumes, but these don't do it for me at that, and I just want to push them louder. I played various pieces of music from wildly different styles through the JBL 104s and I was immediately impressed by the clarity of the lower and upper ends of the frequency range from such compact monitors. A pair of 1/4" balanced, dual RCA and single 1/8" inputs offer compatibility with a multitude of different signal sources. Be sure not to overdo the bass to compensate for little speakers' inability to create low frequency energy.The three physical input options allow different equipment to be connected, while the integrated Bluetooth 5. You can connect them to a laptop or PC sound card – or indeed any device with an analogue audio output of some kind – and the newly added Bluetooth connectivity lets you stream audio from any mobile device you have to hand.

You don’t get any support for AptX, AptX HD or LDAC streaming, but you’re unlikely to miss it – I compared lossless audio files played from a computer via the JBL’s balanced analogue inputs versus the same tracks streamed from Spotify, and didn’t notice any major differences. Another impressive aspect of the JBL’s performance is that they sound just as good via wired as they do via wireless Bluetooth connections. You can even reference your personal mixes over Bluetooth – ensuring they’re sounding great, no matter the device you’re listening on. They are perfectly suited for computer workstations and additionally they would be excellent for any budding podcasters or video makers out there.Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. The only slightly annoying thing is when you turn the speakers on they make quite a loud hi-tech demonstration sound.