Short answer: the JBL Stage 2 250B. It ranks #30 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $349.95; the Dynaudio X14 ranks #32 and costs $1500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Stage 2 250B gets right: Consistent, EQ-able dips in the frequency response mean the tonal issues are at least correctable if you’re willing to use equalization. The catch: The reviewer was “even less enthusiastic” about this one than its disappointing floorstanding sibling.
The case for the Dynaudio X14: 1” silk-dome tweeter and 5.7” magnesium-silicate-polymer woofer in a compact two-way stand-mount, rated at 85dB sensitivity. The tradeoff: CEA2034 spinorama shows an uneven on-axis response from the lack of a waveguide to control tweeter beam width, plus a port resonance that boosts the lower midrange and imperfect crossover matching between the drivers.
Buy the JBL Stage 2 250B. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio X14 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage 2 250B | Dynaudio X14 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $1500 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #30 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #32 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, 5.25" polycellulose woofer | 1" silk dome tweeter, 5.7" magnesium-silicate-polymer woofer |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12.4 lb) per pair | 14.3 lbs / 6.5 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS | - |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.9"W x 9.5"D (321.0 x 200.0 x 241.0 mm) | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 10"D (285 x 170 x 255 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- ELAC BS U5 vs JBL L52 Classic
- ELAC BS U5 vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs ELAC BS U5
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Dynaudio X14
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs Dynaudio X14
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Stage 2 250B: $349.95 Amazon
Pros: Consistent, EQ-able dips in the frequency response mean the tonal issues are at least correctable if you’re willing to use equalization. Horizontal dispersion is reasonably wide and controlled (~50-60 degrees). The tweeter itself holds up fine under compression testing - it’s the midwoofer that gives out first.
Cons: The reviewer was “even less enthusiastic” about this one than its disappointing floorstanding sibling. A confusing, hard-to-place tonal signature - a lower-midrange dip creates a recessed, lacking-attack character that’s then partly offset by a rebound around 2-4kHz, so it reads as recessed and forward at different times depending on the material. Treble falls off sharply above 6-7kHz, same issue as the larger 280F. Multitone distortion at 96dB is genuinely poor - well over 3%, reportedly around 10% at some frequencies. Limited bass extension (F3 64Hz, F10 50Hz) means a subwoofer is basically required if used as main speakers. Compression sets in early on the bass/midwoofer at higher output. The reviewer explicitly recommends the similarly-priced Polk Reserve R200/R100 instead for anyone who wants a more linear, EQ-free sound.
Full JBL Stage 2 250B review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.9"W x 9.5"D (321.0 x 200.0 x 241.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, 5.25" polycellulose woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12.4 lb) per pair |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs ELAC BS U5
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs JBL L52 Classic
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs JBL Stage A120
- See all 18 comparisons
Dynaudio X14: $1500 Discontinued
Pros: 1” silk-dome tweeter and 5.7” magnesium-silicate-polymer woofer in a compact two-way stand-mount, rated at 85dB sensitivity.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows an uneven on-axis response from the lack of a waveguide to control tweeter beam width, plus a port resonance that boosts the lower midrange and imperfect crossover matching between the drivers. Too much energy in the lower and upper treble reads as bright, and directivity narrows at higher frequencies rather than staying controlled. The reviewer’s verdict: out of the box, the objective performance isn’t that great, though EQ can make it a satisfying speaker. Discontinued.
Full Dynaudio X14 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 10"D (285 x 170 x 255 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1" silk dome tweeter, 5.7" magnesium-silicate-polymer woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 82dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs / 6.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio X14 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- Dynaudio X14 vs JBL L52 Classic
- Dynaudio X14 vs ELAC BS U5
- Dynaudio X14 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- Dynaudio X14 vs JBL Stage A120
- Dynaudio X14 vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- Dynaudio X14 vs KEF Q100
- Dynaudio X14 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- See all 17 comparisons