Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL Control X is the better pick: it ranks #8 of 13 outdoor speakers by sound quality (rated 3.2/5), against #13 (rated 2.2/5) for the JBL Control 25T.
The JBL Control X is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Spinorama preference score of 2.50 (5.87 with subwoofer). Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.50 against 0.32 for the JBL Control 25T. Its bass reaches about 108.4Hz before falling 3dB, against 150Hz for the JBL Control 25T. Watch for: Marked peak around 1.5kHz to 2kHz and uneven on-axis treble response require EQ for best tonal balance.
The case for the JBL Control 25T: Durable commercial outdoor construction with included InvisiBall multi-angle mounting system and built-in multi-tap 70V/100V transformer (30W, 15W, 7.5W taps). The catch: Vendor spinorama measurements show a sharply band-limited frequency response optimized for commercial voice paging rather than music, yielding a low 0.32 preference score.
Buy the JBL Control X only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Control X | JBL Control 25T | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $205 per pair Discontinued | $350 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers | #13 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers |
| Drivers | 5.25” (133mm) polypropylene graphite-filled cone woofer, 1” (25mm) CMMD Lite dome tweeter with HDI waveguide | 5.25” (135mm) polypropylene coated woofer with WeatherEdge, 0.75” (19mm) titanium coated polycarbonate tweeter |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way | Passive 2-way |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 88dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Recommended Power | 20-100W | - |
| Enclosure | Ported, rear Slipstream port | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 6.5”W x 6.3”D (235 x 165 x 159 mm) | 9.3”H x 7.4”W x 5.9”D (236 x 188 x 149 mm) |
| Weight | 5.7 lbs (2.6 kg) | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 108.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 150.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 90.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 128.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 112.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.50 | 0.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.87 | 4.69 |
| Power Handling | - | 150W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Control X compares with other leading options:
- JBL Control X Wireless vs JBL Control X
- Revel M80XC vs JBL Control X
- Focal Chorus OD 706 V vs JBL Control X
- Focal 100 OD6 vs JBL Control X
- Revel M55XC vs JBL Control X
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Control X: $205 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Stage XD-5, ranked higher, estimated 3.3/5.
Pros: Spinorama preference score of 2.50 (5.87 with subwoofer). Features JBL’s High Definition Imaging (HDI) waveguide for wide, controlled 60-degree horizontal directivity. Distortion remains low through the midband, and the ported cabinet delivers usable mid-bass energy for its modest footprint. Measured bass extension of 108.4Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Marked peak around 1.5kHz to 2kHz and uneven on-axis treble response require EQ for best tonal balance. Bass extension falls off below 90Hz (-6dB), and the speaker is discontinued.
Full JBL Control X review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 108.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 90.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 6.5”W x 6.3”D (235 x 165 x 159 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (133mm) polypropylene graphite-filled cone woofer, 1” (25mm) CMMD Lite dome tweeter with HDI waveguide |
| Enclosure | Ported, rear Slipstream port |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Recommended Power | 20-100W |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.50 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.87 |
| Weight | 5.7 lbs (2.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Control 25T: $350 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Control 25-1, ranked higher, estimated 2.4/5.
Pros: Durable commercial outdoor construction with included InvisiBall multi-angle mounting system and built-in multi-tap 70V/100V transformer (30W, 15W, 7.5W taps). High durability and weather resistance against humidity and salt air. Measured bass extension of 150.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Vendor spinorama measurements show a sharply band-limited frequency response optimized for commercial voice paging rather than music, yielding a low 0.32 preference score. Bass roll-off begins early at 128Hz (-6dB), and the model is superseded by the Control 25-1. Discontinued.
Full JBL Control 25T review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 112.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 150.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 128.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 7.4”W x 5.9”D (236 x 188 x 149 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (135mm) polypropylene coated woofer with WeatherEdge, 0.75” (19mm) titanium coated polycarbonate tweeter |
| Enclosure | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 150W |
| Sensitivity | 88dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.69 |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Control 25T vs JBL Control 25-1
- JBL Control 25T vs Polk Audio Atrium 4
- JBL Control 25T vs OSD Audio AP650
- JBL Control 25T vs JBL Control 29AV-1
- JBL Control 25T vs JBL Stage XD-5
- JBL Control 25T vs RSL Outsider II
- JBL Control 25T vs Revel M55XC
- JBL Control 25T vs Focal 100 OD6
- See all 11 comparisons