Short answer: the JBL Studio 590. It ranks #52 of 54 floorstanding speakers by sound quality; the Bose 901 Series V ranks #54.
What the JBL Studio 590 offers: Pretty deep bass. Watch for: 3dB peak at 1.7khz, about a 4dB peak from 8k to 13k, going to be bright up top.
What the Bose 901 Series V offers: Historically distinctive direct/reflecting architecture uses eight rear-firing and one front-firing full-range drivers to create a very large, room-filling presentation. Watch for: 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 Studio 590 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 54 floorstanding speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 590 | Bose 901 Series V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2000 Discontinued | Used availability Discontinued |
| Ranked | #52 of 54 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #54 of 54 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Drivers | 2x 8" (200mm) PolyPlas cone woofers, 1x 1" (25mm) Teonex dome tweeter on Bi-Radial horn (2.5-way) | Nine full-range drivers: eight rear-firing, one front-firing |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 107.8 lbs / 48.9 kg | - |
| Sensitivity | 90.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | Approximately 81dB/2.83V/1m with tested EQ setting (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (5 ohms measured minimum, Audio Science Review) | 6.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 49.7"H x 12.7"W x 16.3"D (1263.0 x 322.0 x 413.0 mm) | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| 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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- JBL Studio 590 vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez
- Triangle Esprit Antal Ez vs Bose 901 Series V
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Studio 590: $2000 Discontinued
Pros: Pretty deep bass. CEA2034 spinorama is flat on-axis at a high level, with high sensitivity around 89-90dB. Predicted in-room response is good aside from a dip between 800Hz-1.5kHz. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is good outside of the 8.5kHz resonance.
Cons: 3dB peak at 1.7khz, about a 4dB peak from 8k to 13k, going to be bright up top. Just okay vertical off axis. Really bad resonance at 8.5khz, which shows up as a sharp distortion spike at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) reveals many fine resonances across the midrange and treble. At 96dB SPL/1m the midrange and treble get notably messier, with broad distortion elevation from 2-8kHz. Discontinued.
Full JBL Studio 590 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 49.7"H x 12.7"W x 16.3"D (1263.0 x 322.0 x 413.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 8" (200mm) PolyPlas cone woofers, 1x 1" (25mm) Teonex dome tweeter on Bi-Radial horn (2.5-way) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (5 ohms measured minimum, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 90.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 107.8 lbs / 48.9 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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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.
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