Short answer: the Boston Acoustics A25. It ranks #22 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $299.98; the JBL Studio 530 ranks #23 and costs $399, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Boston Acoustics A25 offers: 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. Watch for: 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 case for the JBL Studio 530: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly flat on-axis response. The tradeoff: A peak around 1.4kHz is attributed to a tweeter resonance, and shows up as a distinct spike in harmonic distortion at that frequency along with a second resonance-driven bump around 2kHz.
Buy the Boston Acoustics A25. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Studio 530 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Boston Acoustics A25 | JBL Studio 530 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.98 Discontinued | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #22 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1" Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25" ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer | 5.25" (130mm) PolyPlas™ cone woofer with SFG magnet, 1" (25mm) compression driver with Teonex® diaphragm on Bi-Radial® horn |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in | 18.4"H x 8.4"W x 8.7"D (467 x 214 x 222 mm) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.58 kg each | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | ~85dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.5kHz |
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- KEF Q150 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
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- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Boston Acoustics A25
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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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs KEF Q150
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs ELAC BS U5
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- See all 15 comparisons
JBL Studio 530: $399 Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly flat on-axis response. Predicted in-room response is very smooth aside from the high-frequency roll-off.
Cons: A peak around 1.4kHz is attributed to a tweeter resonance, and shows up as a distinct spike in harmonic distortion at that frequency along with a second resonance-driven bump around 2kHz. Response rolls off in the high frequencies and the tuning is a bit bass-shy overall. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows the same 1kHz-region resonances lingering in time. Discontinued.
Full JBL Studio 530 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz |
| Dimensions | 18.4"H x 8.4"W x 8.7"D (467 x 214 x 222 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" (130mm) PolyPlas™ cone woofer with SFG magnet, 1" (25mm) compression driver with Teonex® diaphragm on Bi-Radial® horn |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | ~85dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Studio 530 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- JBL Studio 530 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- JBL Studio 530 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- JBL Studio 530 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- JBL Studio 530 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- JBL Studio 530 vs KEF Q150
- JBL Studio 530 vs ELAC BS U5
- JBL Studio 530 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- See all 19 comparisons