Short answer: the JBL Stage XD-5. It ranks #7 of 13 outdoor speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $499.95. The JBL Control 25-1 ranks #12, rated 2.4/5, at $470, $29.95 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Stage XD-5 is the better-sounding pick. Modern outdoor successor to the Control X, upgrading weatherproofing to a fully submersible IP67 waterproof rating with zero-bezel magnetic grilles. Watch for: Acoustic suspension design rolls off bass below 75Hz (-6dB), requiring boundary corner placement or a dedicated subwoofer for full-range musical foundation.
Why pick the JBL Control 25-1: Direct successor to the long-standing Control 25T with an upgraded 5.25” woven-fiberglass cone woofer, 0.75” PEI diaphragm fluid-cooled tweeter, and wider 100° x 100° constant directivity coverage. The catch: Compact commercial form factor and voice-optimized voicing limit deep bass extension, with low-end rolling off rapidly below 85Hz (-3dB) and 60Hz (-10dB).
Buy the JBL Stage XD-5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $29.95 with the JBL Control 25-1 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage XD-5 | JBL Control 25-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.95 per pair | $470.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers | #12 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way | Passive 2-way |
| Drivers | 5.25” (130mm) polycellulose cone woofer, 1” (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter on HDI waveguide with acoustic lens | 5.25” (135mm) woven-fiberglass cone woofer with WeatherEdge, 0.75” (19mm) PEI diaphragm tweeter with fluid cooling |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V @ 1m) | 90dB (1W @ 1m) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Recommended Power | 20-100W RMS | - |
| Enclosure | Sealed all-weather composite, IP67 waterproof | High impact polystyrene (HIPS), IP44 weather-resistant |
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 6.4”W x 7”D (221 x 162 x 179 mm) | 9.6”H x 7.4”W x 5.7”D (243 x 188 x 145 mm) |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 25kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) | 85Hz - 17kHz (+/- 3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 100W continuous / 200W program |
| Coverage | - | 100° x 100° |
| Frequency Response (-10dB) | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Revel M80XC vs JBL Stage XD-5
- Focal Chorus OD 706 V vs JBL Stage XD-5
- Focal 100 OD6 vs JBL Stage XD-5
- Revel M55XC vs JBL Stage XD-5
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 XD-5: $499.95 per pair Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL Control X (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Modern outdoor successor to the Control X, upgrading weatherproofing to a fully submersible IP67 waterproof rating with zero-bezel magnetic grilles. Combines a 5.25” polycellulose cone woofer with an aluminum dome tweeter mated to JBL’s High-Definition Imaging (HDI) waveguide for uniform, wide-dispersion horizontal coverage across open patios and decks.
Cons: Acoustic suspension design rolls off bass below 75Hz (-6dB), requiring boundary corner placement or a dedicated subwoofer for full-range musical foundation. Full laboratory-grade Klippel NFS Spinorama directivity curves have not yet been published, so tonal linearity is estimated from the measured Control X predecessor.
Full JBL Stage XD-5 review and specifications →
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 6.4”W x 7”D (221 x 162 x 179 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (130mm) polycellulose cone woofer, 1” (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter on HDI waveguide with acoustic lens |
| Enclosure | Sealed all-weather composite, IP67 waterproof |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 25kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Recommended Power | 20-100W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V @ 1m) |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- 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
JBL Control 25-1: $470.00 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Control 25T (ranked lower, rated 2.2/5).
Pros: Direct successor to the long-standing Control 25T with an upgraded 5.25” woven-fiberglass cone woofer, 0.75” PEI diaphragm fluid-cooled tweeter, and wider 100° x 100° constant directivity coverage. Solid 200W program power handling (8-ohm bypass) and built-in 30W multi-tap 70V/100V transformer provide versatile commercial integration. WeatherEdge enclosure design achieves an IP44 outdoor rating with dependable InvisiBall mounting hardware.
Cons: Compact commercial form factor and voice-optimized voicing limit deep bass extension, with low-end rolling off rapidly below 85Hz (-3dB) and 60Hz (-10dB). Full laboratory-grade Klippel NFS Spinorama directivity curves have not yet been published, so tonal linearity is estimated from lineage.
Full JBL Control 25-1 review and specifications →
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 100° x 100° |
| Dimensions | 9.6”H x 7.4”W x 5.7”D (243 x 188 x 145 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (135mm) woven-fiberglass cone woofer with WeatherEdge, 0.75” (19mm) PEI diaphragm tweeter with fluid cooling |
| Enclosure | High impact polystyrene (HIPS), IP44 weather-resistant |
| Frequency Response | 85Hz - 17kHz (+/- 3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response (-10dB) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 100W continuous / 200W program |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (1W @ 1m) |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) |
- Links
- 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
- JBL Control 25-1 vs Polk Audio Atrium 4
- JBL Control 25-1 vs JBL Control 25T
- JBL Control 25-1 vs OSD Audio AP650
- JBL Control 25-1 vs JBL Control 29AV-1
- JBL Control 25-1 vs JBL Control X
- JBL Control 25-1 vs RSL Outsider II
- JBL Control 25-1 vs Revel M55XC
- JBL Control 25-1 vs Focal 100 OD6
- See all 11 comparisons