Short answer: the JBL Studio 690. It ranks #163 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) and is still sold new; the JBL Studio 590 ranks #214 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The case for the JBL Studio 590: Pretty deep bass. The tradeoff: 3dB peak at 1.7kHz, about a 4dB peak from 8k to 13k, going to be bright up top.
The JBL Studio 690 is the better-sounding pick. The Studio 6 replacement for the JBL Studio 590, a 2.5-way tower with a 1” compression driver in an HDI waveguide over two 8” woofers, the same tweeter design as its larger sibling, the JBL Studio 698. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the JBL Studio 690. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Studio 590 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Worth knowing: the JBL Studio 690 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.3 to 4.3, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 590 | JBL Studio 690 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,000 per pair Discontinued | - |
| Ranked | #214 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #163 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated |
| 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) | 1x 1” compression driver with HDI waveguide, 2x 8” PolyPlas woofers |
| Weight | 107.8 lbs (48.9 kg) | 64.9 lbs (29.45 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 90.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | 90dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (5 ohms measured minimum, Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 49.7”H x 12.7”W x 16.3”D (1263.0 x 322.0 x 413.0 mm) | 41.7”H x 11.8”W x 13.8”D (1058 x 300 x 350 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.49 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.22 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 36Hz - 40kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Enclosure | - | Bass-reflex, rear-firing tuned port |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Studio 690:
- JBL Studio 690 vs JBL Studio 698
- Revel F206 vs JBL Studio 590
- JBL Studio 590 vs Bose 901 Series V
- JBL Studio 590 vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez
- Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs JBL Studio 590
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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 Studio 590: $2,000 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Studio 690, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5.
Same family: the JBL Studio 530 (bookshelf, rated 3.3/5) and the JBL Studio 520C (center, rated 3.4/5).
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 Sony SS-CS3
- JBL Studio 590 vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez
- JBL Studio 590 vs Bose 901 Series V
- 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
- See all 27 comparisons
JBL Studio 690 Estimated eBay
Older model: the JBL Studio 590 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5).
Same family: the JBL Studio 630 (bookshelf, rated 3.6/5) and the JBL Studio 698 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: The Studio 6 replacement for the JBL Studio 590, a 2.5-way tower with a 1” compression driver in an HDI waveguide over two 8” woofers, the same tweeter design as its larger sibling, the JBL Studio 698. At 90dB sensitivity it is easy to drive.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. The horn tweeter can sound forward in bright rooms, and at 29.5 kg per speaker it is heavy.
Full JBL Studio 690 review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 41.7”H x 11.8”W x 13.8”D (1058 x 300 x 350 mm) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1x 1” compression driver with HDI waveguide, 2x 8” PolyPlas woofers |
| Enclosure | Bass-reflex, rear-firing tuned port |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz - 40kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 64.9 lbs (29.45 kg) each |
- 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