Short answer: the Klipsch RP-500M II has been measured and ranked among bookshelf speakers; the JBL Stage 2 240B has not been independently measured yet, so until it is, this comes down to features and price.
The case for the JBL Stage 2 240B: Two-way bookshelf with a 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter in JBL’s HDI waveguide and a 4.5” polycellulose woofer crossed over at 1.4kHz.
On the Klipsch RP-500M II side: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange.
Price: the JBL Stage 2 240B lists at $329.95 and the Klipsch RP-500M II at $389.99.
Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the JBL Stage 2 240B if you prefer its design or features, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage 2 240B | Klipsch RP-500M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 per pair | $389.99 per pair |
| Ranked | - | #18 of 88 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 | 272H x 175W x 217D mm | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Weight | 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 |
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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 Stage 2 240B: $329.95 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Stage A120 (rated 2.5/5).
Pros: Two-way bookshelf with a 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter in JBL’s HDI waveguide and a 4.5” polycellulose woofer crossed over at 1.4kHz. JBL rates it at 53Hz to 25kHz (±6dB) and 85dB sensitivity with a 6 ohm load. Espresso, latte and black ash finishes.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Rated bass stops at 53Hz (±6dB), so plan on a subwoofer for full-range listening.
Full JBL Stage 2 240B review and specifications →
| Crossover Frequency | 1.4kHz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 272H x 175W x 217D mm |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) anodized aluminum dome tweeter, 4.5” (114mm) polycellulose woofer |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 25kHz ±6dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 4.6 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch RP-500M II: $389.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Klipsch RP-500M (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange. More neutral and linear overall than its sibling RP-600M II, which carries about 2-3dB more high-frequency energy and a touch more bass but less overall balance. Very precise soundstage imaging and instrument placement. Distortion through the midrange is cleaner than the previous generation. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: 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. Horizontal dispersion of about ±40-50° is narrower and more directive than the reviewer’s preference for a wider, more enveloping soundstage. Toeing the speaker out to widen the soundstage or soften on-axis brightness comes at some cost to imaging precision. Slightly less clean in the tweeter region than the midrange, likely tied to crossover placement, though not considered a dealbreaker. Low-frequency output is limited: measured around 95dB at 4 meters for the pair before the woofers started to unload, so a subwoofer is recommended for anyone wanting real bass rather than stepping up to a larger model.
Full Klipsch RP-500M II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1530Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6”H x 6.8”W x 10.6”D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1” LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.84 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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