Short answer: the JBL Stage 2 280F. It ranks #49 of 56 floorstanding speakers by sound quality; the Bose 901 Series V ranks #56.
What the JBL Stage 2 280F gets right: Genuinely impressive output capability and low compression/distortion for the price, courtesy of the dual 8” woofers - the reviewer’s standout praise for this pair. The catch: Explicitly called out as disappointing relative to expectations for the JBL name and this price point - lacks native linearity compared to similarly-priced alternatives like the Polk Reserve R500.
On the Bose 901 Series V side: Historically distinctive direct/reflecting architecture uses eight rear-firing and one front-firing full-range drivers to create a very large, room-filling presentation. Set against that: Even with the required EQ, Erin measured only about 81dB sensitivity, grossly non-flat response, numerous impedance/resonance irregularities and very high distortion.
Buy the JBL Stage 2 280F if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Bose 901 Series V if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 56 floorstanding speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage 2 280F | Bose 901 Series V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $529.95 | Used availability Discontinued |
| Ranked | #49 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #56 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Drivers | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8" polycellulose woofers | Nine full-range drivers: eight rear-firing, one front-firing |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs / 25 kg (55.2 lb) each | - |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 81dB/2.83V/1m with tested EQ setting (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 43.8" x 14.1" x 16.5" (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz | - |
| Output Power | 125W RMS | - |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Bass Extension | - | Strongly dependent on supplied active equalizer and room (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| DSP | - | External analog active equalizer required |
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- Sony SS-CS3 vs Infinity Reference 253
- Definitive Technology BP-9020 vs Bose 901 Series V
- Sony SS-CS3 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Stage 2 280F: $529.95 Amazon
Pros: Genuinely impressive output capability and low compression/distortion for the price, courtesy of the dual 8” woofers - the reviewer’s standout praise for this pair. High sensitivity (89.5dB measured) and low impedance make it easy to drive. Decent bass extension (F3 48Hz, F10 30Hz) reaches about 50Hz in-room. Horizontal dispersion is reasonably consistent (~55 degrees), meaning the speaker takes reasonably well to EQ correction.
Cons: Explicitly called out as disappointing relative to expectations for the JBL name and this price point - lacks native linearity compared to similarly-priced alternatives like the Polk Reserve R500, which the reviewer recommends instead for anyone who doesn’t want to rely on EQ. Treble falls off a cliff above about 10-12kHz, giving a notable lack of air/space that needs real correction (a wide +Q0.5 boost from 10-20kHz) to fix. A sharp impedance resonance around 900Hz-1.1kHz is nearly impossible to EQ out cleanly even with narrow filters. Elevated multitone distortion in the 600Hz-2.5kHz range, tied to the midwoofer rather than the tweeter. Compared to the similarly-priced Klipsch RP-6000F II/RP-8000F II, this JBL is less directive and native-flat but does extend roughly 20Hz deeper in the bass - a real tradeoff either way, not a clean win.
Full JBL Stage 2 280F review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz |
| Dimensions | 43.8" x 14.1" x 16.5" (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8" polycellulose woofers |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 125W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs / 25 kg (55.2 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Infinity Reference 253
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Magnepan LRS+
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Sony SS-CS3
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Polk T50
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs JBL Studio 590
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Dynaudio Emit 30
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Bose 901 Series V: Used availability Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Historically distinctive direct/reflecting architecture uses eight rear-firing and one front-firing full-range drivers to create a very large, room-filling presentation. Erin measured a benign 6.2-ohm minimum impedance, so the raw electrical load is easier than many modern four-ohm speakers. The supplied active equalizer offers user-adjustable tonal balance and is integral to obtaining usable bandwidth.
Cons: Even with the required EQ, Erin measured only about 81dB sensitivity, grossly non-flat response, numerous impedance/resonance irregularities and very high distortion. Output above roughly 90-95dB at his seat became audibly poor; multitone testing reached only about 98dB before the distortion limit. The reflection-dominant radiation prevents precise imaging and makes results strongly room-dependent. It requires the proprietary equalizer and substantial amplifier power despite its benign impedance. Discontinued.
Full Bose 901 Series V review and specifications →
| Bass Extension | Strongly dependent on supplied active equalizer and room (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| DSP | External analog active equalizer required |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | Nine full-range drivers: eight rear-firing, one front-firing |
| Impedance | 6.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 81dB/2.83V/1m with tested EQ setting (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons