Short answer: the JBL Stage 2 280F, which ranks far higher. It places #63 of 74 against the Bose 901 Series V’s #74 of 74, and its dual 8” woofers give impressive output capability with low compression and distortion. The Bose’s direct/reflecting design uses eight rear-firing and one front-firing full-range driver, but even with the required EQ it measured only about 81dB sensitivity with grossly non-flat response.
Buy the JBL Stage 2 280F. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Bose 901 Series V is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage 2 280F | Bose 901 Series V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,319.90 per pair | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #63 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #74 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.8Hz (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) each | 35.3 lbs (16 kg) 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) | 21”H x 21”W x 12.6”D (533.4 x 533.4 x 320.7 mm) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz | - |
| Power Handling | 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 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.69 | 0.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.14 | 2.11 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Bass Extension | - | Strongly dependent on supplied active equalizer and room (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DSP | - | External analog active equalizer required |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Stage 2 280F: $1,319.90 per pair Amazon eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.5dB.
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 |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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) |
| Power Handling | 125W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.14 |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Polk Signature Elite ES60
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Magnepan LRS+
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Infinity Reference 253
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Polk Audio XT60
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Sony SS-CS3
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Bose 901 Series V Discontinued Amazon eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 55.8Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 81dB.
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) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| DSP | External analog active equalizer required |
| Dimensions | 21”H x 21”W x 12.6”D (533.4 x 533.4 x 320.7 mm) |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.11 |
| Weight | 35.3 lbs (16 kg) each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose 901 Series V vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez
- Bose 901 Series V vs JBL Studio 590
- Bose 901 Series V vs Sony SS-CS3
- Bose 901 Series V vs Børresen X3
- Bose 901 Series V vs Magnepan LRS+
- Bose 901 Series V vs Infinity Reference 253
- Bose 901 Series V vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- Bose 901 Series V vs Polk T50
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