Short answer: the Revel M105 for better sound quality, the JBL Stage A130 for the lower price. The Revel M105 ranks #13 of 87 bookshelf speakers at $1500. The JBL Stage A130 ranks #75 at $399, $1101 cheaper.
What the JBL Stage A130 offers: More constant, better-behaved directivity than the smaller A120 once past the tweeter crossover point, giving a more consistent radiation pattern that likely explains some of its positive reception among other reviewers. Distortion at 96dB measures slightly better than a direct competitor (Emotiva Airmotiv B1+) in the low end, though slightly worse at high frequencies. The tweeter itself sounded decent to the reviewer, who considers it a reasonable value at its price point despite other reservations. Wide, well-filled horizontal radiation through the midrange. Watch for: Still shows the same underlying “Batman”-shaped response pattern as the A120: a bass bump, a midrange dip, a cabinet-resonance peak around 800Hz-1.7kHz (confirmed via accelerometer testing on the cabinet panels), and roughly a 5dB treble bump around 10kHz. Does not include a port bung, so sealed-cabinet listening requires DIY stuffing rather than a proper factory solution. The reviewer’s own measurements notably diverge from another well-known publication’s results on this same model, possibly reflecting a running production change, though this couldn’t be confirmed. Overall sound quality struck the reviewer as not a good-sounding speaker despite the more favorable measurements relative to the A120. Output-limited at extreme volumes (102dB), similar to its smaller sibling. Loses to the similarly-priced Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ in overall linearity and neutrality, according to the reviewer’s direct comparison.
What the Revel M105 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with only a small 5kHz peak, a smooth listening window, and clean waterfall decay. Wide horizontal dispersion gives flexibility with toe-in. The reviewer called it reference-quality performance with minor EQ correction applied. Watch for: Low nominal impedance demands a capable amplifier that can handle low-impedance loads. Bass distortion runs high in the 80-250Hz range from woofer displacement, and maximum output is limited compared to larger designs.
Buy the JBL Stage A130 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Revel M105 if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the JBL Stage A130. It ranks near the bottom of the 87 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage A130 | Revel M105 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 Discontinued | $1500 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #75 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Crossover Frequency | 3.2kHz | - |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (321 x 190 x 230 mm) | 14"H x 7.9"W x 9.8"D (355.6 x 200.7 x 248.9 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, about 4.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, low minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5.25" (133mm) polycellulose woofer, 1" (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter | 5.25" aluminum cone woofer, 1" aluminum tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 12 lbs / 5.45 kg each | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 75Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 44kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Stage A130: $399 Discontinued eBay
Pros: More constant, better-behaved directivity than the smaller A120 once past the tweeter crossover point, giving a more consistent radiation pattern that likely explains some of its positive reception among other reviewers. Distortion at 96dB measures slightly better than a direct competitor (Emotiva Airmotiv B1+) in the low end, though slightly worse at high frequencies. The tweeter itself sounded decent to the reviewer, who considers it a reasonable value at its price point despite other reservations. Wide, well-filled horizontal radiation through the midrange.
Cons: Still shows the same underlying “Batman”-shaped response pattern as the A120: a bass bump, a midrange dip, a cabinet-resonance peak around 800Hz-1.7kHz (confirmed via accelerometer testing on the cabinet panels), and roughly a 5dB treble bump around 10kHz. Does not include a port bung, so sealed-cabinet listening requires DIY stuffing rather than a proper factory solution. The reviewer’s own measurements notably diverge from another well-known publication’s results on this same model, possibly reflecting a running production change, though this couldn’t be confirmed. Overall sound quality struck the reviewer as not a good-sounding speaker despite the more favorable measurements relative to the A120. Output-limited at extreme volumes (102dB), similar to its smaller sibling. Loses to the similarly-priced Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ in overall linearity and neutrality, according to the reviewer’s direct comparison. Discontinued.
Full JBL Stage A130 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3.2kHz |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (321 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" (133mm) polycellulose woofer, 1" (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, about 4.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12 lbs / 5.45 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review JBL Stage A130 More from Audio Science Review →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Bright & Boomy or Neutral? JBL Stage A120/A130 vs Emotiva B1+ More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website JBL Stage A130
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for JBL Stage A130 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Revel M105: $1500 Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with only a small 5kHz peak, a smooth listening window, and clean waterfall decay. Wide horizontal dispersion gives flexibility with toe-in. The reviewer called it reference-quality performance with minor EQ correction applied.
Cons: Low nominal impedance demands a capable amplifier that can handle low-impedance loads. Bass distortion runs high in the 80-250Hz range from woofer displacement, and maximum output is limited compared to larger designs. Discontinued.
Full Revel M105 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14"H x 7.9"W x 9.8"D (355.6 x 200.7 x 248.9 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum cone woofer, 1" aluminum tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 44kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, low minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons