Short answer: the JBL AC25, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #18 of 26 surface-mount and background music speakers by sound quality, rated 2.6/5, at $814.67; the Bose DesignMax DM5SE ranks #25, rated 2.2/5, and costs $897.05, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 26 surface-mount and background music speakers; for better sound, the JBL Control 24CT ranks #1 at $350.
The JBL AC25 is the more accurate pick. An ultra-compact two-way installation speaker from JBL Professional with two 5.25” woofers and a tweeter. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 0.43 against -0.41 for the Bose DesignMax DM5SE. Watch for: Bass is very limited, so it needs a subwoofer.
The Bose DesignMax DM5SE is the deeper-bass choice. An IP55 surface-mount installation speaker from Bose Professional with a 5.25” coaxial driver. Its bass reaches about 77.5Hz before falling 3dB, against 124.5Hz for the JBL AC25. The tradeoff: The response is uneven and bass is limited, for a low preference score.
Buy the JBL AC25. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Bose DesignMax DM5SE and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL AC25 | Bose DesignMax DM5SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $814.67 each Passive | $897.05 per pair Passive |
| Ranked | #18 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers | #25 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers |
| Rigging | 4 x M8 points; 4 x M6 rear for MultiMount | QuickHold U-bracket; M8 inserts for pan and tilt bracket |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) | 9.7 lbs (4.38 kg) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” woofers, tweeter | 5.25” coaxial driver |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 124.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 77.5Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 84.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | about 68.3Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.43 | -0.41 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.01 | 2.61 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| IP Rating | - | IP55 |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: JBL AC25 (measured by Audio Science Review) and Bose DesignMax DM5SE (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL AC25:
- JBL AC16 vs JBL AC25
- Electro-Voice EVID-S8.2 vs JBL AC25
- JBL AC15 vs JBL AC25
- JBL AC25 vs Bose DesignMax DM8SE
- JBL AC25 vs Bose DesignMax DM6SE
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL AC25: $814.67 each Passive Amazon eBay
Same family: the JBL AC15 (smaller model, ranked higher, estimated 2.6/5), the JBL AC16 (smaller model, ranked higher, estimated 2.8/5), the JBL AC26 (larger model, ranked higher, estimated 2.9/5), the JBL AC18/26 (larger model, ranked higher, estimated 3/5) and the JBL AC28/26 (larger model, ranked higher, estimated 3.1/5).
Pros: An ultra-compact two-way installation speaker from JBL Professional with two 5.25” woofers and a tweeter. Audio Science Review measured a preference score of 0.43 that reaches 4.01 with an ideal subwoofer, with 0.79 listening window deviation. Measured bass extension of 124.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass is very limited, so it needs a subwoofer. Audio Science Review found an uneven response (0.89 average on-axis deviation). Bass reaches 124.5Hz (-3dB) and about 84Hz (-10dB).
Full JBL AC25 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 84.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 124.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” woofers, tweeter |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Rigging | 4 x M8 points; 4 x M6 rear for MultiMount |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.01 |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bose DesignMax DM5SE: $897.05 per pair Passive Amazon eBay
Same family: the Bose DesignMax DM6SE (larger model, ranked lower, rated 2.2/5) and the Bose DesignMax DM8SE (larger model, ranked higher, estimated 2.4/5). See every Bose DesignMax generation.
Pros: An IP55 surface-mount installation speaker from Bose Professional with a 5.25” coaxial driver. Bose’s measurements show a preference score of -0.41 that reaches 2.61 with an ideal subwoofer, with 1.03 listening window deviation.
Cons: The response is uneven and bass is limited, for a low preference score. The data comes from Bose. Bass reaches 77.5Hz (-3dB) and about 68Hz (-10dB).
Full Bose DesignMax DM5SE review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 68.3Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.5Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Drivers | 5.25” coaxial driver |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Rigging | QuickHold U-bracket; M8 inserts for pan and tilt bracket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -0.41 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.61 |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.38 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons