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 29AV-1 ranks #9, rated 3.0/5, and costs $1,144, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Stage XD-5 does well: Modern outdoor successor to the Control X, upgrading weatherproofing to a fully submersible IP67 waterproof rating with zero-bezel magnetic grilles. The catch: Acoustic suspension design rolls off bass below 75Hz (-6dB), requiring boundary corner placement or a dedicated subwoofer for full-range musical foundation.
The case for the JBL Control 29AV-1: Exceptional bass extension for an outdoor cabinet, measuring down to 48.3Hz (-6dB) and 41Hz (-10dB) thanks to a heavy-duty 8” Kevlar woofer in a large ported enclosure. The tradeoff: Uneven raw frequency response through the crossover region and ragged on-axis treble yield a modest 2.24 preference score without DSP correction.
Buy the JBL Stage XD-5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Control 29AV-1 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage XD-5 | JBL Control 29AV-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.95 per pair | $1,144 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers | #9 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 | 8” (200mm) Kevlar cone woofer, 1” (25mm) titanium diaphragm compression driver on rotatable 110° x 85° horn |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V @ 1m) | 90dB |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Recommended Power | 20-100W RMS | - |
| Enclosure | Sealed all-weather composite, IP67 waterproof | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather |
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 6.4”W x 7”D (221 x 162 x 179 mm) | 20.5”H x 12”W x 10.9”D (520 x 306 x 277 mm) |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 25kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Handling | - | 300W |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 54.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 48.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 2.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 4.50 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Stage XD-5 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Control X Wireless vs JBL Stage XD-5
- 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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 29AV-1: $1,144 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Exceptional bass extension for an outdoor cabinet, measuring down to 48.3Hz (-6dB) and 41Hz (-10dB) thanks to a heavy-duty 8” Kevlar woofer in a large ported enclosure. Massive 300W power handling and high 90dB sensitivity deliver huge SPL capability outdoors. Built-in 70V/100V transformer with 8-ohm bypass and rotatable high-frequency horn. Measured bass extension of 54.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Uneven raw frequency response through the crossover region and ragged on-axis treble yield a modest 2.24 preference score without DSP correction. Very large and heavy (12.2 kg per box), making wall mounting demanding.
Full JBL Control 29AV-1 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
| Dimensions | 20.5”H x 12”W x 10.9”D (520 x 306 x 277 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (200mm) Kevlar cone woofer, 1” (25mm) titanium diaphragm compression driver on rotatable 110° x 85° horn |
| Enclosure | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 300W |
| Sensitivity | 90dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.50 |
| Weight | 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs JBL Control X
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs OSD Audio AP650
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs Polk Audio Atrium 4
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs RSL Outsider II
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs JBL Control 25-1
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs Revel M55XC
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs JBL Control 25T
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs Focal 100 OD6
- See all 11 comparisons