Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Tower. It ranks #27 of 73 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $1,900; the JBL Studio 698 ranks #30, rated 4.3/5, and costs $2,999.80, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JBL Studio 698: 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. Watch for: Measured response exhibits a prominent mid-bass emphasis bump around 80Hz that can sound overly thick or chesty in smaller rooms without DSP EQ.
Why pick the Arendal 1961 Tower: Exceptional output cleanliness for a slim tower: Erin measured under 1% THD to about 100Hz at 96dB/1m and only crossed 3% near 80Hz, while compression was better than several physically larger competitors. Watch for: Erin measured F3 at 62Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so the four woofers prioritize clean output over deep extension; a subwoofer remains necessary.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Tower. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Studio 698 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 698 | Arendal 1961 Tower | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,398 per pair | $1,900 per pair |
| Ranked | #30 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #27 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 41.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.7”D (1058 x 300 x 400 mm) | 33”H x 6.4”W x 11.2”D (837.5 x 163 x 285 mm) (without feet) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal; dips below 4 ohms (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1 in. High-Definition Imaging compression driver, 6 in. PolyPlas midrange, dual 8 in. PolyPlas woofers | Four 5.5-inch woofers; 28mm waveguided soft dome |
| Weight | 78.9 lbs (35.8 kg) each | 39.5 lbs (17.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.20 | 4.83 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.14 | 7.25 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | Sealed HDF |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Arendal 1961 Tower compares with other leading options:
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs Arendal 1961 Tower
- Arendal 1961 Tower vs Morel Avyra 633
- Arendal 1961 Tower vs PSB Imagine T65
- Arendal 1961 Tower vs KLH Model Five
- JBL Studio 698 vs Revel F206
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Studio 698: $1,398 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Older model: the JBL Studio 590 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5).
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
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- JBL Studio 698 vs PSB Imagine T65
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Arendal 1961 Tower: $1,900 per pair Arendal Sound eBay
Pros: Exceptional output cleanliness for a slim tower: Erin measured under 1% THD to about 100Hz at 96dB/1m and only crossed 3% near 80Hz, while compression was better than several physically larger competitors. The response and listening window are broadly neutral, early-reflections and sound-power directivity are well controlled, and the waveguided dome supports stable imaging. A sealed HDF cabinet, four 5.5-inch woofers and a ten-year warranty provide serious theater-grade engineering in a tiny footprint. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
Cons: Erin measured F3 at 62Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so the four woofers prioritize clean output over deep extension; a subwoofer remains necessary. Sensitivity is a moderate 86.5dB and impedance dips below four ohms, which may challenge budget AVRs even though a competent power amplifier has no issue. The optimal axis is roughly 5° above the tweeter and radiation begins narrowing around 1.3kHz, so seat height and toe-in deserve attention.
Full Arendal 1961 Tower review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 33”H x 6.4”W x 11.2”D (837.5 x 163 x 285 mm) (without feet) |
| Drivers | Four 5.5-inch woofers; 28mm waveguided soft dome |
| Enclosure | Sealed HDF |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal; dips below 4 ohms (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.83 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.25 |
| Weight | 39.5 lbs (17.9 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons