Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500M II. It ranks #27 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $389.99. The JBL Stage 2 240B ranks #128, rated 2.7/5, at $329.95, $60.04 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the JBL Stage 2 240B does well: A compact bookshelf speaker with an aluminum tweeter in a waveguide, offered in espresso, latte and black ash finishes. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
The Klipsch RP-500M II is the better-sounding pick. Clear, detailed bookshelf speakers with a horn tweeter, precise imaging and a much cleaner midrange than the first version. The tradeoff: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $60.04 saving on the JBL Stage 2 240B is not enough to make up the difference.
Worth knowing: the JBL Stage 2 240B has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 2.5 to 2.9, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage 2 240B | Klipsch RP-500M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 per pair | $389.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #128 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #27 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) anodized aluminum dome tweeter, 4.5” (114mm) polycellulose woofer | 5.25” Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1” LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 25kHz ±6dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.4kHz | 1530Hz |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 10.7”H x 6.9”W x 8.5”D (272 x 175 x 217 mm) | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.84 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Stage 2 240B: manufacturer specifications and listening comparisons; no independent measurement has been published yet.
- Klipsch RP-500M II: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch RP-500M II compares with other leading options: