Neumann is also quite expensive (in the U.S.A), so they're out for this.
But JBL:
I can get the 708P for about $2k each. Around 4-5k/pair.
They have good directivity, MORE power than the genelecs (IMO), flat FR, and fairly good distortion.
Then with the extra money I save I could add subwoofers. Lots of subwoofers which could actually blow a genelec monitor out of a pool of water.
I'm not saying that genelecs are bad. They are definitely at the top of their game. However, there is definitely an extra wasted cost to going with genelec vs other manufacturers as genelec doesn't have the large economies of scale, and they manufacture in finland. Both of which lead to higher costs. Example 3: Genelec has different coaxial drivers, woofers, and amps for all of "The Ones".
JBL on the other hand, can re-use engineering for other products. The 2408h, 2409, 2410, and D2430K compression drivers are all kind of based on the same ring radiator design. These drivers are used in loads of JBL products, which means they can distribute out the engineering cost over more units.
So once again, you probably can't find something that will beat a genelec in a nearfield application for under their price, but you CAN definitely get 99% of the performance for 1/4th the money, and if you reallocate those other 3/4ths to subwoofers, room treatments, and "apple juice", then I'd say JBL could probably beat the genelec system in an un-treated room with no subs and no "apple juice".
The system you're talking about seems to go rather towards $7-8k (adding multiple subwoofers, MiniDSP) than $1250, which is quite different.
Regarding power. Are we talking about 8361A ?
Sure, the 708p has a horn so is more efficient (in the treble) but we're having 250+250w against 750+150+150w.
For what it's worth, 708p's max SPL (manufacturer specs) :
Against 8361A's :
I can't see how the JBL could have more power. Distortion of 708p is fairly worse than 8361A (see amir's reviews).
Regarding the bass, sure, multiple subs would get you 10Hz lower (8361A are likely to be flat to 30Hz in room) and more even bass response.
But here's an excerpt of the 8361A review by amir :
"I was greeted with a level of clean and deep bass which I had never experienced with any other speaker I have tested.
It was like having the most perfectly integrated subwoofer next to a very powerful and capable speaker. Dynamics knew no limit"
[...] "No longer does a powered speaker have a limit in either deep bass or loudness".
This is from someone owning the full range Salon2.
Anywhere you read about the 8361A, the bass are a massive plus, subwoofer doesn't feel necessary (which doesn't mean it couldn't be beneficial).
"Dramatically improved bass extension" is not what I would expect from a configuration with a sub after listening to 8361A.
But I've never heard them nor a multisub system, so I could very well be wrong.
Also, 8361A is turnkey vs the multisub system, so that's assuming you have the time, understanding, skill to properly integrate the multiple subwoofers (if you even succeed at it), and that that time, understanding, skill is free.
And that's ignoring things like directivity, reliability (problematic for the 708p), sturdiness.
I tend to value to have something that just works.