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 PS Audio Aspen FR10 ranks #76, rated 4.2/5, and costs $12,000, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
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. 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 PS Audio Aspen FR10 is the deeper-bass option. Its bass reaches about 47Hz before falling 3dB, against 53Hz for the JBL Studio 698. The tradeoff: At roughly $12000/pair, expectations are high, and the reviewer found some measured shortfalls relative to that price.
Buy the JBL Studio 698. It is rated higher for sound quality than the PS Audio Aspen FR10 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 698 | PS Audio Aspen FR10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.90 per pair | $12000 per pair |
| Ranked | #57 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #76 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 28Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 41.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.7”D (1058 x 300 x 400 mm) | 41.5”H x 11.8”W x 16.3”D (1054.1 x 298.5 x 412.8 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1 in. High-Definition Imaging compression driver, 6 in. PolyPlas midrange, dual 8 in. PolyPlas woofers | 2x 6.5” carbon fiber cone woofers, 1x 8” planar magnetic ribbon midrange, 1x 2.5” planar magnetic ribbon tweeter + 3x passive radiators |
| Weight | 78.9 lbs (35.8 kg) each | 119 lbs (54 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | passive radiator |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.20 | 4.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.14 | 5.40 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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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 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 |
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PS Audio Aspen FR10: $12000 per pair PS Audio eBay
Same family: the PS Audio Aspen FR5 (bookshelf, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: Distinctive driver layout: two 6” mid-bass drivers plus three 6x9” passive radiators, an 8” planar ribbon mid-range, and a 2.5” planar ribbon tweeter, with the woofers placed low near the floor to counteract typical floor-bounce cancellation in the mid-bass/lower-midrange handoff. Deliberately shelved bass response around 150Hz allows placement closer to the rear wall than typical, without the usual boominess. Extremely wide horizontal dispersion (the -6dB point isn’t reached until about 80-85° off-axis), giving a wide, enveloping soundstage that stays consistent rather than narrowing unevenly at different frequencies. Passed multiple stereo-imaging tests with precise placement despite the wide radiation, keeping instruments distinctly separated even in complex, heavily panned tracks. Exceptionally low multitone distortion at high frequency: among the best the reviewer has measured on any speaker. Bass extends smoothly to an F3 of 47Hz and F10 of 28Hz, potentially usable without a subwoofer for material that doesn’t dig much below 40Hz. Shows output enhancement rather than compression below about 50Hz even at high volume, adding extra punch and attack to bass transients. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.4dB.
Cons: At roughly $12000/pair, expectations are high, and the reviewer found some measured shortfalls relative to that price. A scoop around 600Hz slightly thins out vocal fullness; EQ can restore some body there. A narrow but pronounced dip around 6-7kHz shows up in measurements, though EQ didn’t meaningfully improve it in testing and the reviewer says he’d rather have a dip than a peak in that sibilance-prone region. On-axis, the treble reads as mildly elevated (though far less than some rivals like Martin Logan or Focal); needs about 20° of toe-out, per the manufacturer’s own recommendation, to sound properly balanced and take on a warmer character. Sidewall acoustic treatment should be avoided, since the speaker’s wide, room-filling sound depends on that sidewall interaction, limiting setup flexibility in treated rooms. A minor resonance-like anomaly appears around 800Hz, and some compression shows up at the highest frequencies (around 12kHz) under extreme output testing, though unlikely to be audible in real listening. Large and heavy floorstander (about 76 lbs each, 41” tall).
Full PS Audio Aspen FR10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 41.5”H x 11.8”W x 16.3”D (1054.1 x 298.5 x 412.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” carbon fiber cone woofers, 1x 8” planar magnetic ribbon midrange, 1x 2.5” planar magnetic ribbon tweeter + 3x passive radiators |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.40 |
| Weight | 119 lbs (54 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons