Boston Acoustics A25 vs JBL Stage 2 250B

Short answer: the Boston Acoustics A25. It ranks #22 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $299.98; the JBL Stage 2 250B ranks #30 and costs $349.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.

On the Boston Acoustics A25 side: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz - directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Set against that: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip.

What the JBL Stage 2 250B offers: Consistent, EQ-able dips in the frequency response mean the tonal issues are at least correctable if you’re willing to use equalization. Watch for: The reviewer was “even less enthusiastic” about this one than its disappointing floorstanding sibling.

Buy the Boston Acoustics A25. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Stage 2 250B and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.

Specifications Side By Side

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The Two Speakers In Full

Boston Acoustics A25: $299.98 Discontinued

Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz - directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Cabinet fit and finish is well above its price class, and dynamics were strong with no distortion audible even at high volume on well-recorded material. Discontinued, but the reviewer suggests hunting for clearance pricing on remaining stock.

Cons: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip. The rear port itself measured audibly distorted up close, though it wasn’t noticeable from normal listening distance in the reviewer’s room. Discontinued.

Full Boston Acoustics A25 review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)	55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Dimensions	10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in
Discontinued	Yes
Drivers	1" Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25" ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer
Frequency Response	55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Impedance	8 ohms nominal
Power Handling	10-150W recommended
Sensitivity	85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review)
Weight	10.1 lbs / 4.58 kg each
Woofer Cabinet	ported, rear

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• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Audio Science Review Measurements
  • Reddit Search for Boston Acoustics A25 Review
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Stage 2 250B: $349.95 Amazon

Pros: Consistent, EQ-able dips in the frequency response mean the tonal issues are at least correctable if you’re willing to use equalization. Horizontal dispersion is reasonably wide and controlled (~50-60 degrees). The tweeter itself holds up fine under compression testing - it’s the midwoofer that gives out first.

Cons: The reviewer was “even less enthusiastic” about this one than its disappointing floorstanding sibling. A confusing, hard-to-place tonal signature - a lower-midrange dip creates a recessed, lacking-attack character that’s then partly offset by a rebound around 2-4kHz, so it reads as recessed and forward at different times depending on the material. Treble falls off sharply above 6-7kHz, same issue as the larger 280F. Multitone distortion at 96dB is genuinely poor - well over 3%, reportedly around 10% at some frequencies. Limited bass extension (F3 64Hz, F10 50Hz) means a subwoofer is basically required if used as main speakers. Compression sets in early on the bass/midwoofer at higher output. The reviewer explicitly recommends the similarly-priced Polk Reserve R200/R100 instead for anyone who wants a more linear, EQ-free sound.

Full JBL Stage 2 250B review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)	50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	64Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Dimensions	12.6"H x 7.9"W x 9.5"D (321.0 x 200.0 x 241.0 mm)
Drivers	1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, 5.25" polycellulose woofer
Impedance	6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner)
Output Power	75W RMS
Sensitivity	86dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner)
Weight	12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12.4 lb) per pair
Woofer Cabinet	ported, rear

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• Links
  • Official JBL Stage 2 250B Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Erin’s Audio Corner: Why JBL’s New Budget “Stage 2” Speakers Miss the Mark For Me.
  • Erin’s Audio Corner Website: JBL Stage 2 250B
  • Reddit Search for JBL Stage 2 250B Review
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