Short answer: the JBL Studio 590, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #69 of 73 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 2.8/5); the Bose 901 Series V ranks #73 (rated 1.9/5). Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 73 floorstanding speakers, and the MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition, ranked #3 at $7,995, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The case for the JBL Studio 590: Pretty deep bass. The catch: 3dB peak at 1.7kHz, about a 4dB peak from 8k to 13k, going to be bright up top.
Why pick the Bose 901 Series V: Historically distinctive direct/reflecting architecture uses eight rear-firing and one front-firing full-range drivers to create a very large, room-filling presentation. The catch: Even with the required EQ, Erin measured only about 81dB sensitivity, grossly non-flat response, numerous impedance/resonance irregularities and very high distortion.
Worth knowing: the JBL Studio 590 has been discontinued and is hard to find new at this point.
Buy the JBL Studio 590. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Bose 901 Series V.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 590 | Bose 901 Series V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2000 per pair Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #69 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #73 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 34.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 55.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| 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 |
| Weight | 107.8 lbs (48.9 kg) | 35.3 lbs (16 kg) each |
| 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) | 21”H x 21”W x 12.6”D (533.4 x 533.4 x 320.7 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.49 | 0.43 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.22 | 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 Studio 590: $2000 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Studio 698, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5.
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. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 90.3dB.
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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 49.7”H x 12.7”W x 16.3”D (1263.0 x 322.0 x 413.0 mm) |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.49 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.22 |
| Weight | 107.8 lbs (48.9 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Studio 590 vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez
- JBL Studio 590 vs Sony SS-CS3
- JBL Studio 590 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- JBL Studio 590 vs Magnepan LRS+
- JBL Studio 590 vs Infinity Reference 253
- JBL Studio 590 vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- JBL Studio 590 vs Polk T50
- JBL Studio 590 vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- See all 24 comparisons
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 Sony SS-CS3
- Bose 901 Series V vs Børresen X3
- Bose 901 Series V vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- 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
- See all 24 comparisons