Short answer: the JBL Stage 2 260F. It ranks #91 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $879.90; the Polk Signature Elite ES55 ranks #128, rated 4.0/5, and costs $898, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the JBL Stage 2 260F does well: 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. Watch for: Rating estimated based on JBL Stage 2 280F and JBL Stage 250B Klippel NFS measurements; awaiting independent laboratory testing.
The case for the Polk Signature Elite ES55: Mid-sized floorstanding tower in Polk’s Signature Elite range equipped with dual 6.5-inch Dynamic Balance woofers and a 1-inch Terylene dome tweeter. The tradeoff: Rating estimated based on sibling laboratory measurements across the Signature Elite line.
Buy the JBL Stage 2 260F. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk Signature Elite ES55 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: JBL Stage 2 260F 4.0 to 4.4; Polk Signature Elite ES55 3.8 to 4.2). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage 2 260F | Polk Signature Elite ES55 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $879.90 per pair Passive | $898 per pair Passive |
| Ranked | #91 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #128 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.3kHz / 1.7kHz | 2.5kHz |
| Dimensions | 40.8” x 7.9” x 13.9” (1036 x 200 x 354 mm) | 41.7” x 11.7” x 12.5” (1059 x 297 x 318 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter in HDI horn, two 6.5” polycellulose ribbed cone woofers | 1” Terylene high-res dome tweeter, two 6.5” mica-reinforced polypropylene woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (±6dB) | 40Hz - 40kHz |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal | 8 ohms (4-8 ohm compatible) |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V @ 1m) | 90dB (2.83V @ 1m) |
| Weight | 43 lbs (19.5 kg) each | 44.1 lbs (20.0 kg) each |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Stage 2 260F compares with other leading options:
- JBL Stage 2 260F vs Linkwitz Lab LXmini
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DF53 vs JBL Stage 2 260F
- Polk Signature Elite ES55 vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- Polk Signature Elite ES55 vs Polk Signature Elite ES60
- Linkwitz Lab LXmini vs Polk Signature Elite ES55
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.
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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
Polk Signature Elite ES55: $898 per pair Passive Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk Signature Elite ES10 (smallest bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES15 (bookshelf, rated 3.5/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES20 (largest bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES50 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.8/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES60 (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 (smaller center, estimated 3.5/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 (larger center, estimated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer (smallest subwoofer, estimated 3.2/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES10 Subwoofer (subwoofer, estimated 3.7/5) and the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer (largest subwoofer, estimated 3.8/5). See every Polk Signature generation.
Pros: Mid-sized floorstanding tower in Polk’s Signature Elite range equipped with dual 6.5-inch Dynamic Balance woofers and a 1-inch Terylene dome tweeter. Offers higher sensitivity (90dB) and robust acoustic output capability with down-firing Power Port bass reflex tuning for clean extension down to 40Hz. Preserves the directivity matching and smooth off-axis tonal character validated by testing on the Polk Signature Elite ES20 and Polk Signature Elite ES60.
Cons: Rating estimated based on sibling laboratory measurements across the Signature Elite line. Substantial cabinet depth and footprint require generous boundary clearance from walls for optimum tonal balance.
Full Polk Signature Elite ES55 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz |
| Dimensions | 41.7” x 11.7” x 12.5” (1059 x 297 x 318 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene high-res dome tweeter, two 6.5” mica-reinforced polypropylene woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz |
| Impedance | 8 ohms (4-8 ohm compatible) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V @ 1m) |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs (20.0 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons