which is a better speaker

JBL have a well earned reputation for punchy sound and with the right equipment and setting can make music come alive like no others, IMO. The 120ti have top notch coned speakers. Sorry, don't know much about Pioneer.

JBL is a speaker manufacturer - Pioneer makes everything, not all of it too well.

If it's just between those two I would go JBL. They have what was called back in the day a "west Coast" sound compared to New England based brands.

JBL's were, at a time, the number one monitors for Studio applications.

I find them a bit in your face and a bit nasal at time BUT speakers are SOO subjective. I would think JBL should be easier to find replacement parts or upgrades if need be.

JBL 120ti over those Pioneers any day!

However, those JBLs have tweeter issues.  There is a foam damper behind the diaphragm that in most cases, at this age, are shot.

I would pass on both...

jeebus...what a choice...

Brand generalities between Pioneer and JBL do not apply here. The HPM100 was developed by top ex-JBL engineers that designed the JBL L-100 Century: