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 DM8SE ranks #23, rated 2.4/5, and costs $878, so there is little reason to consider the other one. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 26 surface-mount and background music speakers, and the JBL Control 24CT, ranked #1 at $350, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Why pick the JBL AC25: An ultra-compact two-way installation speaker from JBL Professional with two 5.25” woofers and a tweeter. The catch: Bass is very limited, so it needs a subwoofer.
Why pick the Bose DesignMax DM8SE: The outdoor-rated replacement for the measured Bose DesignMax DM8S, keeping its 8” woofer and center-firing coaxial 1” compression driver with 150W handling and a 52Hz to 20kHz range. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.
Buy the JBL AC25. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Bose DesignMax DM8SE and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Worth knowing: the Bose DesignMax DM8SE has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 2.1 to 2.7, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL AC25 | Bose DesignMax DM8SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $814.67 each Passive | $878.00 each Passive |
| Ranked | #18 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers | #23 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers Estimated |
| Rigging | 4 x M8 points; 4 x M6 rear for MultiMount | QuickHold U-bracket; 2 x M8 bracket inserts; M8 safety cable insert |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) | 22.7 lbs (10.3 kg) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 121dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” woofers, tweeter | 8” woofer, coaxial 1” compression driver |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 124.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 84.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.43 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.01 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Configuration | - | Passive 2-way coaxial surface-mount speaker |
| Frequency Response | - | 52Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 150W |
| IP Rating | - | IP55 |
| XLR Input | - | No |
| DSP | - | No (passive) |
| Amplifier Power | - | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for 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 DM5SE
- 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 DM8SE: $878.00 each Passive Estimated Amazon eBay
Older model: the Bose DesignMax DM8S (ranked higher, rated 2.4/5). See every Bose DesignMax generation.
Same family: the Bose DesignMax DM5SE (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.2/5) and the Bose DesignMax DM6SE (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.2/5).
Pros: The outdoor-rated replacement for the measured Bose DesignMax DM8S, keeping its 8” woofer and center-firing coaxial 1” compression driver with 150W handling and a 52Hz to 20kHz range. It adds IP55 weather sealing, an aluminum grille with a rust-resistant finish and a sealed cover over the input terminals.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. The measured DM8S it is based on had an uneven response for its price, and it needs an external amplifier.
Full Bose DesignMax DM8SE review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial surface-mount speaker |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, coaxial 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Maximum SPL | 121dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 150W |
| Rigging | QuickHold U-bracket; 2 x M8 bracket inserts; M8 safety cable insert |
| Weight | 22.7 lbs (10.3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons