Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) Review: Professional Desktop Audio on a Budget

I remember the first time I tried to set up a home studio on a standard-sized office desk. I had my laptop, a second monitor, a MIDI keyboard, and barely any room left for actual speakers. Like many of you, I was faced with a frustrating choice: buy oversized, expensive studio monitors that would physically crowd me out of my own workspace, or settle for “computer speakers” that made my mixes sound like they were coming through a tin can. The struggle to find an accurate, “honest” reference monitor that doesn’t require a dedicated room is one of the most common hurdles for podcasters, YouTubers, and bedroom producers today. This is where the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) enters the conversation, promising professional-grade transparency in a form factor that actually respects your desk real-time. If you have been looking for a way to upgrade your monitoring without breaking the bank, you should check the latest price and availability of these compact powerhouses.

What to Consider Before Investing in Studio Audio Monitors

A Studio Audio Monitors is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for anyone who needs to hear the “truth” in their audio. Unlike consumer speakers that color the sound with boosted bass or sparkly highs to make everything sound “pretty,” a reference monitor is designed to be flat and transparent. This allows you to hear the mistakes in your recording, the harshness in a vocal, or the muddiness in a bassline so you can fix them. Without a reliable set of monitors, you are essentially mixing in the dark, leading to audio that sounds okay on your desk but falls apart when played in a car or on a smartphone.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing space constraints—think dorm rooms, small home offices, or secondary editing suites—while it might not be suitable for those who require deep, sub-bass extension for EDM or hip-hop production without a dedicated subwoofer. If you are a professional mixer working in a treated room, you might look toward larger, more expensive options, but for the vast majority of content creators, the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) offers a strategic balance of performance and price.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Studio monitors come in various sizes, usually denoted by the woofer diameter. A 4.5-inch driver like the one found here is the “Goldilocks” size for desktop use—large enough to move some air but small enough to sit alongside a computer monitor without obstructing your view or taking over your mouse pad.
• Capacity/Performance: Look for the wattage and the type of amplification. Class D amplifiers are preferred for desktop monitors because they run cool and provide efficient power. You want enough headroom (volume) to hear transients clearly without the speakers distorting at moderate levels.
• Materials & Durability: The build quality of the enclosure matters immensely. While many desktop monitors use plastic, the internal bracing and the quality of the drivers—such as silk dome tweeters and contoured woofer cones—dictate how long the speakers will last and how well they handle resonance.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider the input options. Having front-panel controls for volume and input selection is a massive quality-of-life improvement. Additionally, check for “Renewed” or refurbished warranties to ensure you are protected against any potential electronic gremlins that might appear after the initial purchase.

Choosing the right monitor is about understanding your specific environment and your sonic goals. While the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair)

When the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) arrived, I was immediately struck by the weight. Despite their “renewed” status, they felt substantial and well-constructed. The egg-shaped design isn’t just for aesthetics; it’s designed to reduce diffraction and provide a smoother frequency response. Pulling them out of the box, I noticed the matte black finish was pristine—save for a tiny, almost invisible scuff on the underside of one unit, which is to be expected with a refurbished item. I was pleased to see that all the necessary cables, including the speaker wire to connect the master and extension monitors, were included and neatly packaged.

Setting them up was intuitive. The master monitor houses all the electronics, including the 60-watt Class D amplifier, which simplifies cabling significantly. I particularly liked the front-panel volume knob, which doubles as an input selector. In a market where many “pro” monitors hide their power switches and volume controls on the back, this design is a breath of fresh air for the desktop user. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to understand why this specific form factor has become so popular among streamers and casual listeners alike.

A Deep Dive into the Performance of the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair)

The Coaxial Advantage: Acoustic Clarity and Imaging

In our testing, the standout feature of the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) is undoubtedly the coaxial driver. For those unfamiliar with the term, this means the tweeter is positioned directly in the center of the woofer. We found that this alignment creates a single point source for all frequencies, which is critical when you are sitting just a few feet away from your speakers. Unlike traditional monitors where the sound from the tweeter and woofer might arrive at your ears at slightly different times, these monitors offer a phase-coherent experience that makes the “imaging” (the ability to hear where instruments are placed in a stereo field) remarkably sharp.

When I was editing a podcast episode, I could clearly distinguish the subtle hiss in a guest’s background audio that I missed on my standard headphones. This level of transparency is exactly what you want from a reference monitor. We noticed that the sweet spot—the area where the sound is most accurate—is much wider than we expected. You don’t have to keep your head locked in a single position to get the full frequency range, which makes long editing sessions much less fatiguing. This is a feature that really sets it apart from other entry-level monitors that use standard stacked drivers.

Power and Precision: The 60-Watt Class D Amplifier

Don’t let the compact size fool you; these speakers can get surprisingly loud. The integrated 60-watt Class D power amplifier distributes 30 watts to each speaker, which is more than enough for a desktop environment. We pushed these monitors to about 80% volume and found that they remained remarkably clear without the “chuffing” or cabinet resonance that often plagues plastic-enclosed speakers. I spent an afternoon listening to various reference tracks, from acoustic folk to dense orchestral pieces, and the mid-range clarity was consistently impressive.

However, we must be realistic about the low end. The 4.5-inch woofer does an admirable job of providing punchy, tight bass, but it isn’t going to rattle your windows. If you are mixing kick drums for club tracks, you’ll hear the “thwack” and the tone, but you won’t feel the sub-bass rumble. That said, for general video editing and vocal work, the balance is nearly perfect. One user noted that they were disappointed with the audio levels on their refurbished unit, but in our evaluation, the “Renewed” version performed exactly like the factory-new models we’ve tested in the past, providing a crisp and powerful output that belies its small footprint. To ensure you get the best performance, we recommend using the included 3.5mm to RCA or the TRS inputs for the cleanest signal path.

Versatility and Modern Connectivity: The Bluetooth Factor

One of the biggest upgrades in the “BT” version of this series is the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0. While some purists might scoff at using Bluetooth for professional work, we found it to be an invaluable tool for modern workflows. Often, I’ll finish a rough mix and want to hear how it sounds on a consumer-grade connection or check a reference track from my phone. The ability to switch to Bluetooth with a simple tap on the front panel—without unplugging anything—is a game-changer. It makes the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) a versatile hub for all your audio needs.

Beyond Bluetooth, the variety of physical inputs is impressive. With TRS, RCA, and an 3.5mm Aux input, you can have your audio interface, your laptop, and a dedicated music player all connected simultaneously. We tested the switching latency and found it to be negligible. The convenience of having a front-panel headphone jack that automatically mutes the speakers is another small but essential detail that makes these monitors feel like they were designed by people who actually spend all day at a desk. If you want a setup that handles everything from professional mixing to casual Spotify streaming, you should definitely check the latest price and availability to see how this fits your budget.

The “Renewed” Reality: Is Refurbished Right for You?

Buying “Renewed” equipment always comes with a bit of trepidation, but after several weeks with the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair), I can confidently say the value proposition is hard to beat. The Amazon Renewed Guarantee provides a 90-day window for a replacement or refund, which mitigates much of the risk. During our testing, the electronics were stable, the Bluetooth pairing was instant, and the drivers showed no signs of fatigue or distortion. We found that the internal components appeared to be thoroughly inspected, and the performance matched the manufacturer’s specifications perfectly.

We did encounter one user review where the customer felt the “Renewed” promise was not met, citing poor audio output. While this can happen with any mass-produced electronic item, the vast majority of units—including the ones we’ve evaluated—provide a “like-new” experience. If you are on a tight budget, the savings found here allow you to step up into the JBL ecosystem when you might otherwise have had to settle for a much lower-tier brand. It’s a smart way to get professional tools while remaining fiscally responsible. For those who want the best of both worlds—pro sound and a discounted price—this pair is an excellent entry point into the world of reference monitoring.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general sentiment surrounding the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) is one of high praise for the sound quality, tempered by the occasional “Renewed” lottery. Many users highlight that the speakers sound significantly better than anything else in their price bracket, specifically praising the clarity of vocals and the wide soundstage. One long-time user noted that these are the perfect “secondary” monitors for checking how a mix translates to a smaller system.

On the negative side, as mentioned, some users have had issues with the quality control of the refurbishment process. One customer reported that their unit arrived with barely audible audio, leading to a disappointing unboxing. This is why the 90-day guarantee is so important. However, these negative experiences seem to be the exception rather than the rule. Most owners find that for the price of a mid-range pair of headphones, they are getting a legitimate set of studio monitors that drastically improve their production workflow. The consensus is clear: if you get a good pair (which most are), they are an unbeatable bargain.

Comparing the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) to the Competition

1. ADAM Audio T5V Studio Monitor Single

The ADAM Audio T5V is a significant step up in terms of sheer audio fidelity and bass response. Featuring a U-ART accelerated ribbon tweeter, it offers a high-frequency detail that the JBLs simply cannot match. However, keep in mind that these are sold as single units, meaning you’ll need to buy two, effectively tripling the price of the JBL pair. They are also much larger. If you have the space and a professional budget, the T5Vs are superior for critical mixing, but for a compact desktop setup, they might be overkill.

2. IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Portable Bluetooth Studio Monitors

If space is your absolute number one priority, the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors are the direct competitors to the 104-BTs. They are even smaller than the JBLs but somehow manage to produce an incredible amount of low-end for their size. Like the JBLs, they feature Bluetooth connectivity. However, they are generally more expensive than the renewed JBLs and can sometimes feel a bit “pushed” at higher volumes. They are the better choice for the traveling producer, while the JBLs feel more at home as a permanent desktop fixture.

3. KRK Rokit 5 G4 Powered Studio Monitor Pair

The KRK Rokit 5 G4 is perhaps the most famous “entry-level” studio monitor in the world. They feature a front-firing port (great for small rooms) and a built-in DSP with a visual EQ on the back. Compared to the JBL 104-BT, the Rokits have a much more pronounced “vibe”—they are punchier and more exciting to listen to. However, they lack the Bluetooth convenience and the compact, sleek footprint of the JBLs. If you are strictly making hip-hop or electronic music and have more desk space, the Rokits are a fantastic alternative, but they lack the all-in-one desktop utility of the JBL pair.

Final Verdict: Is the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) Worth It?

After extensive testing and comparison, the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) stands out as one of the best values in the audio world today. They successfully bridge the gap between “computer speakers” and “studio monitors,” offering a level of transparency and imaging that is rare at this price point. While the “Renewed” aspect requires a little bit of trust, the 90-day guarantee and the significant cost savings make it a risk well worth taking for any burgeoning creator.

We recommend these monitors to anyone who needs a reliable, compact, and versatile audio solution for their desk. Whether you are editing video, recording a podcast, or just want to hear your favorite music with more clarity, these speakers deliver. They aren’t meant to replace a $2,000 set of focal monitors in a professional mastering suite, but for the home studio, they are a massive upgrade. If you are ready to stop guessing and start hearing the truth in your audio, you should purchase the Amazon Renewed JBL 1 Series 104-BT Bluetooth Studio Monitors (Pair) today and transform your workspace.