Short answer: the Dynaudio Emit M10 for a more even response; the JBL Stage A120 at least lets you seal the port. The A120 ships with a port bung so you can run it ported or sealed, which the reviewer found improved the sound somewhat, but its response is a pronounced Batman shape: boosted bass, a scooped midrange and treble about 3-4dB above the midrange, driven partly by cabinet panel resonance around 800Hz-1.7kHz. They are $501 apart.
Buy the Dynaudio Emit M10 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Emit M10 | JBL Stage A120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $800 per pair Discontinued | $299 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #59 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #69 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 71Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 83dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal | 6 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver | 0.75” tweeter + 5” woofer |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) |
| Dimensions | 11.5”H x 6.7”W x 9.4”D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) | 11.3”H x 6.8”W x 7.4”D (285.8 x 171.5 x 188.9 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 (spinorama.org) | 3.50 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 (spinorama.org) | 6.24 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dynaudio Emit M10: $800 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Dynaudio Emit 10. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows impressive, headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, with a well-executed port that keeps resonance low below the crossover. 28mm soft dome tweeter and 14cm MSP mid/bass driver. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.5dB.
Cons: Tuned toward a mild showroom sound with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange: the reviewer prefers speakers that get the 100Hz-3kHz range right, which this doesn’t. His verdict: cheaper speakers deliver much more balanced tonality, so he wouldn’t buy it for himself. Discontinued.
Full Dynaudio Emit M10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.5”H x 6.7”W x 9.4”D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs ELAC BS U5
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Dynaudio X14
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL Stage 250B
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL L52 Classic
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- See all 39 comparisons
JBL Stage A120: $299 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Stage 2 240B. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: Comes with a port bung, letting you experiment between ported and sealed configurations: the reviewer found the sound improved somewhat with the port sealed. Distortion at 96dB is broadly comparable to competitors in this price range outside of some elevated low-end THD. Wide horizontal radiation pattern for a compact bookshelf speaker in the low-to-midrange. Measured bass extension of 71Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: A pronounced “Batman”-shaped frequency response: boosted bass, a scooped midrange, and elevated treble (about 3-4dB above the midrange), driven partly by confirmed cabinet panel resonance around 800Hz-1.7kHz. Directivity shows significant back-to-back peaks and dips, making the speaker harder to correct with EQ since the off-axis sound doesn’t track the direct sound cleanly. Elevated treble that some might call “detailed” reads as an unwelcome boost to the reviewer rather than genuine resolution. Compression testing shows the low end degrading substantially at high output (102dB). Overall considered one of the weaker speakers the reviewer has tested in this class, with a competing model (Emotiva Airmotiv B1+) recommended instead at a similar price. Discontinued.
Full JBL Stage A120 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3”H x 6.8”W x 7.4”D (285.8 x 171.5 x 188.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75” tweeter + 5” woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.50 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.24 |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- JBL Stage A120 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- JBL Stage A120 vs Micca RB42
- JBL Stage A120 vs Dynaudio X14
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