JBL 104: Coaxial Monitors for Your Desktop Mix
· re:union Radio editorial · 3 min read
JBL 104: 4.5-inch coaxial driver, 60W Class D, bass down to 60 Hz. What JBL's compact reference monitors bring to your desk.
The JBL 104 pack the tweeter and woofer into a single chassis: a 19 mm dome tweeter sits right inside the 4.5-inch cone. For you, that means kick, hi-hats, and vocals emanate from the same axis — exactly what you need on a cramped desk when building edits or prepping a DJ set.
At a glance
- Coaxial driver: 4.5-inch woofer (118 mm) with integrated 0.75-inch tweeter (19 mm)
- 60W Class D amplification, 30W per speaker
- Frequency response 60 Hz to 20 kHz (±3 dB) per JBL
- Active main speaker plus passive extension speaker, sold as a set
One Driver, One Axis: The Principle Behind the JBL 104
JBL Professional places the 104 in its One Series and calls it its smallest monitor form factor to date. The tweeter is aligned with a custom-shaped woofer cone; the manufacturer says this delivers accurate reproduction and good off-axis dispersion.
Magazine bonedo explains the advantage: because both drivers sit concentrically, the signal radiates on the same acoustic axis, minimizing interference. A shaped bass-reflex port works with the driver; JBL rates low-frequency extension at 60 Hz.
JBL 104 Technical Specifications
| Woofer | 4.5 inch (118 mm), coaxial |
|---|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75 inch (19 mm), fabric dome |
| Crossover frequency | 1725 Hz, 1st order |
| Amplifier | 60W Class D (30W per speaker) |
| Frequency response (±3 dB) | 60 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Max SPL (1 m) | 104 dB (short-term peak) |
| Dispersion angle | 120° × 120° |
| Inputs | 2 x 6.35 mm TRS balanced (+4 dBu), 2 x RCA (−10 dBV), 1 x 3.5 mm TRS unbalanced (−10 dBV) |
| Headphone output | 3.5 mm stereo jack with automatic speaker mute |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 247 x 153 x 124 mm |
| Weight | Main speaker 2.06 kg, extension speaker 1.73 kg |
| Power supply | Built into main speaker |
Build and Connections: Everything in the Main Speaker
All electronics and amplification live in the main speaker; the extension speaker receives its signal via a two-conductor speaker cable that, according to bonedo, is included in the box. That saves you power cables and outlets at your workstation.
Up front sit the volume knob, aux input, and headphone jack. Plug in headphones and the speakers mute automatically — handy for late-night cueing. Around back you'll find two balanced TRS inputs for an audio interface or mixer and two RCA jacks. No digital inputs, and bonedo notes there's no way to tailor the sound via filters or EQ.
Who the JBL 104 Are For
JBL targets musicians, podcasters, and music and video producers; the speakers are acoustically tuned for desktop placement. So if you're prepping tracks on a laptop, building loops, or checking mixes before upload, the concept fits: short listening distance, small footprint, three ways to feed them signal.
Want to compare? The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM and the PreSonus Eris E3.5 also target small workspaces. If you need phone streaming too, JBL offers the 104-BT variant with Bluetooth 5.0, in black and as the white 104-BTW.
FAQ
Do the JBL 104 Need a Subwoofer?
JBL rates bass extension at 60 Hz and states the bass should convince even without a sub. For anything below that, a subwoofer remains an option.
Do the JBL 104 Have Bluetooth?
No, the JBL 104 have no digital inputs and no Bluetooth, per bonedo. For that, there's the sibling model JBL 104-BT with Bluetooth 5.0.
How Do I Connect the JBL 104 to an Audio Interface?
Via the two balanced 6.35 mm TRS inputs on the rear of the main speaker. They're designed for a +4 dBu level, as delivered by most audio interfaces and mixing consoles.
Source: JBL Professional – 104, JBL Professional – 104-BT, bonedo – JBL 104
