Short answer: the JBL Studio 698. It ranks #62 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5); the JBL Studio 690 ranks #163 (rated 3.8/5).
Why pick the JBL Studio 690: 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 catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
The JBL Studio 698 is the better-sounding option. High-Definition Imaging (HDI) horn waveguide paired with a 1” compression driver provides excellent high-frequency directivity control and seamless acoustic handoff to the 6” PolyPlas midrange. The tradeoff: Measured response exhibits a prominent mid-bass emphasis bump around 80Hz that can sound overly thick or chesty in smaller rooms without DSP EQ.
Buy the JBL Studio 698. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Studio 690.
About the ratings: the JBL Studio 690’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.3 to 4.3, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 690 | JBL Studio 698 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $1,499.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #163 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #62 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Drivers | 1x 1” compression driver with HDI waveguide, 2x 8” PolyPlas woofers | 1 in. High-Definition Imaging compression driver, 6 in. PolyPlas midrange, dual 8 in. PolyPlas woofers |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (manufacturer specified) | 90dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz - 40kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 41.7”H x 11.8”W x 13.8”D (1058 x 300 x 350 mm) | 41.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.7”D (1058 x 300 x 400 mm) |
| Weight | 64.9 lbs (29.45 kg) each | 78.9 lbs (35.8 kg) each |
| Enclosure | Bass-reflex, rear-firing tuned port | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.14 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Studio 698 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Studio 698 vs GR-Research NX-Treme
- JBL Studio 698 vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- JBL Studio 698 vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- JBL Studio 698 vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- Revel F328Be vs JBL Studio 698
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
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
JBL Studio 698: $1,499.90 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the JBL Studio 630 (bookshelf, rated 3.6/5) and the JBL Studio 690 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.8/5).
Pros: High-Definition Imaging (HDI) horn waveguide paired with a 1” compression driver provides excellent high-frequency directivity control and seamless acoustic handoff to the 6” PolyPlas midrange. Dual 8” PolyPlas woofers deliver robust low-end authority with solid bass extension down to an F3 of 53Hz and F10 of 34Hz. High voltage sensitivity (90dB SPL at 2.83V/1m) and clean power handling provide effortless dynamic headroom and low distortion for home theater and music listening. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 90dB.
Cons: Measured response exhibits a prominent mid-bass emphasis bump around 80Hz that can sound overly thick or chesty in smaller rooms without DSP EQ. Treble response lacks top-octave ‘air’ above 12kHz compared to high-end dome or ribbon tweeters. Physically large, heavy cabinet (35.8 kg per speaker) requires careful room placement and a wide acoustic footprint.
Full JBL Studio 698 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 41.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.7”D (1058 x 300 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 1 in. High-Definition Imaging compression driver, 6 in. PolyPlas midrange, dual 8 in. PolyPlas woofers |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.14 |
| Weight | 78.9 lbs (35.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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