which is a better speaker

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:

OP just go on Ebay and buy some vintage Bose 301s and come back here to tell all of us crabby pants old farts we spent too much money on our speakers because you have the real deal.