Short answer: the Linkwitz Lab LXmini. Both are rated 4.2/5 for sound quality (#86 and #91 of 226 floorstanding speakers), and the Linkwitz Lab LXmini costs $505 against $879.90 for the JBL Stage 2 260F, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The case for the JBL Stage 2 260F: 2.5-way floorstanding tower in JBL’s Stage 2 lineup featuring dual 6.5-inch ribbed polycellulose woofers and a 1-inch anodized aluminum dome tweeter mated to a next-generation High-Definition Imaging (HDI) waveguide horn. The catch: Rating estimated based on JBL Stage 2 280F and JBL Stage 250B Klippel NFS measurements; awaiting independent laboratory testing.
Why pick the Linkwitz Lab LXmini: Open-baffle/dipole upper driver and cylindrical woofer enclosure create a very large, open soundstage with unusually little cabinet signature. Watch for: This is not a conventional passive pair: it requires a construction-plan license, assembly, miniDSP, four matched amplifier channels and careful gain/setup work, so the apparent kit price is not the complete system cost.
Buy the Linkwitz Lab LXmini. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $374.90 less than the JBL Stage 2 260F.
Worth knowing: the JBL Stage 2 260F has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 4.0 to 4.4, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage 2 260F | Linkwitz Lab LXmini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $879.90 per pair Passive | $505.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #91 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #86 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.3kHz / 1.7kHz | 700Hz LR2, active DSP |
| Dimensions | 40.8” x 7.9” x 13.9” (1036 x 200 x 354 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter in HDI horn, two 6.5” polycellulose ribbed cone woofers | 6.5” SEAS woofer in sealed tube, 4” SEAS full-range dipole driver |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (±6dB) | - |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal | 4 ohms upper driver / 8 ohms woofer nominal (separate actively bi-amplified loads; manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes | - |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V @ 1m) | 85dB upper driver / 87dB woofer @ 1W/1m (individual driver specifications; complete active-DSP system sensitivity is not directly specified) |
| Weight | 43 lbs (19.5 kg) each | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Amplifier Power | - | Four channels, 50W/channel minimum with identical voltage gain |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed cylindrical enclosure; open-baffle upper driver |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.89 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 5.77 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Linkwitz Lab LXmini compares with other leading options:
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs Linkwitz Lab LXmini
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 vs Linkwitz Lab LXmini
- Polk Reserve R500 vs Linkwitz Lab LXmini
- Linkwitz Lab LXmini vs Infinity Primus 360
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DF53 vs Linkwitz Lab LXmini
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 Stage 2 260F: $879.90 per pair Passive Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the JBL Stage 2 240B (smaller bookshelf, estimated 2.7/5), the JBL Stage 250B (larger bookshelf, rated 3.2/5), the JBL Stage 2 280F (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 3.4/5), the JBL Stage 2 245C (center, estimated 3.2/5), the JBL Stage 200P (smaller subwoofer, estimated 3.5/5) and the JBL Stage 220P (larger subwoofer, estimated 3.7/5). See every JBL Arena and Stage generation.
Pros: 2.5-way floorstanding tower in JBL’s Stage 2 lineup featuring dual 6.5-inch ribbed polycellulose woofers and a 1-inch anodized aluminum dome tweeter mated to a next-generation High-Definition Imaging (HDI) waveguide horn. Delivers wide, controlled horizontal dispersion and clean off-axis response consistent with its measured JBL Stage 2 280F and JBL Stage 250B siblings. Dual rear-firing flared bass-reflex ports provide extended low-end response down to 40Hz with minimal turbulence, and dedicated top terminals enable seamless integration with Atmos height toppers.
Cons: Rating estimated based on JBL Stage 2 280F and JBL Stage 250B Klippel NFS measurements; awaiting independent laboratory testing. Dual 6.5-inch woofers yield slightly less maximum SPL and ultra-deep bass authority than the flagship dual 8-inch JBL Stage 2 280F.
Full JBL Stage 2 260F review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2025 (11 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Crossover Frequency | 1.3kHz / 1.7kHz |
| Dimensions | 40.8” x 7.9” x 13.9” (1036 x 200 x 354 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter in HDI horn, two 6.5” polycellulose ribbed cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (±6dB) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Passive | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V @ 1m) |
| Weight | 43 lbs (19.5 kg) each |
- 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
Linkwitz Lab LXmini: $505.00 per pair Madisound LXmini Kit eBay
Pros: Open-baffle/dipole upper driver and cylindrical woofer enclosure create a very large, open soundstage with unusually little cabinet signature. Erin praised the stable, well-controlled directivity: despite using a nominal full-range upper driver, off-axis response retains composure beyond its beaming region and the directivity index is smooth enough for reliable DSP voicing. Imaging can be precisely adjusted through placement and toe angle. Erin measured F3 at 50Hz and F10 at 33Hz, impressive for the narrow footprint, and found the system satisfying for much music without a subwoofer. The supplied miniDSP configuration is readily editable; broad shelf correction near 550Hz and a handful of narrow filters can make the response substantially more linear. The kit is mechanically simple, highly customizable and based on well-documented Linkwitz engineering. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-3dB).
Cons: This is not a conventional passive pair: it requires a construction-plan license, assembly, miniDSP, four matched amplifier channels and careful gain/setup work, so the apparent kit price is not the complete system cost. Output below about 50Hz lacks kick-drum weight and benefits from subwoofers. Erin found rising second-order distortion near 1.5kHz on both samples, accompanied by an impedance blip that may indicate an enclosure reflection or driver-compliance effect. At high output the system behaves as if electronically limited even with miniDSP limiting bypassed, reducing bass and subjective dynamics. Default voicing is less linear than expected, with irregularities above roughly 2kHz, though its controlled directivity makes these correctable. Dipole rear radiation demands meaningful distance from the front wall and makes placement less flexible than a box speaker.
Full Linkwitz Lab LXmini review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | Four channels, 50W/channel minimum with identical voltage gain |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 700Hz LR2, active DSP |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5” SEAS woofer in sealed tube, 4” SEAS full-range dipole driver |
| Impedance | 4 ohms upper driver / 8 ohms woofer nominal (separate actively bi-amplified loads; manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB upper driver / 87dB woofer @ 1W/1m (individual driver specifications; complete active-DSP system sensitivity is not directly specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.89 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.77 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed cylindrical enclosure; open-baffle upper driver |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons