Short answer: the JBL Studio 698. It ranks #57 of 188 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,499.90. The Klipsch RP-5000F II ranks #105, rated 4.0/5, at $859.98, $639.92 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the JBL Studio 698 does well: 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.
The Klipsch RP-5000F II is the more accurate pick. The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.24 against 4.20 for the JBL Studio 698. The catch: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander (F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz) and needs a subwoofer.
Buy the JBL Studio 698. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $639.92 with the Klipsch RP-5000F II does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 698 | Klipsch RP-5000F II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.90 per pair | $859.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #57 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #105 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 41.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.7”D (1058 x 300 x 400 mm) | 36.1” x 8.1” x 14.8” (917 x 207 x 375 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1 in. High-Definition Imaging compression driver, 6 in. PolyPlas midrange, dual 8 in. PolyPlas woofers | 1” titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25” cerametallic woofers |
| Weight | 78.9 lbs (35.8 kg) each | 38.6 lbs (17.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.20 | 5.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.14 | 7.25 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1900Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 100W continuous, 400W peak |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Studio 698:
- 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 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM 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 698: $1,499.90 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Older model: the JBL Studio 590 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5).
Same family: the JBL Studio 630 (bookshelf, rated 3.6/5).
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
- JBL Studio 698 vs JBL HDI-3600
- JBL Studio 698 vs Polk Audio Reserve R700
- JBL Studio 698 vs PSB Imagine T65
- JBL Studio 698 vs Morel Avyra 633
- JBL Studio 698 vs Arendal 1961 Tower
- JBL Studio 698 vs KEF R11 Meta
- JBL Studio 698 vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan Tower
- JBL Studio 698 vs Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
- See all 53 comparisons
Klipsch RP-5000F II: $859.98 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Klipsch RP-500M II (smaller bookshelf, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-600M II (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-6000F II (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8000F II (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-404C II (smallest center, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (center, rated 3.9/5) and the Klipsch RP-504C II (largest center, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. Precise imaging thanks to the controlled horn/waveguide directivity. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 90dB.
Cons: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander (F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz) and needs a subwoofer. Narrow horizontal dispersion (~50-60 degrees) trades soundstage width for imaging precision. A mild high-frequency tilt and a slight lack of detail around 1-1.5kHz.
Full Klipsch RP-5000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1900Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 36.1” x 8.1” x 14.8” (917 x 207 x 375 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25” cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 100W continuous, 400W peak |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.25 |
| Weight | 38.6 lbs (17.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs KEF Q11 Meta
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Klipsch Forte IV
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Monolith THX-365T
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Klipsch RP-8000F II
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Q Acoustics 5040
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Definitive Technology BP-9020
- See all 44 comparisons