Short answer: the JBL Studio 698, which keeps its flaw in the bass rather than the midrange. The Revel F206 shows a pretty even on-axis response, but some directivity error and a small peak around 4.5kHz appear alongside the directivity error around 3kHz. The Studio 698’s HDI horn waveguide and 1” compression driver give excellent high-frequency directivity control, offset by a prominent mid-bass bump around 80Hz that can sound thick in small rooms.
Buy the JBL Studio 698, since the Revel F206 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 698 | Revel F206 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.90 per pair | $2,000 per pair used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #30 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #18 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 41.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.7”D (1058 x 300 x 400 mm) | 40.3”H x 8.4”W x 12.2”D (1023.6 x 213.4 x 309.9 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1 in. High-Definition Imaging compression driver, 6 in. PolyPlas midrange, dual 8 in. PolyPlas woofers | Dual 6.5” (16.5 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofers, 5.25” (13.3 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Midrange, 1” (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide |
| Weight | 78.9 lbs (35.8 kg) each | 57.3 lbs (26 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.20 | 5.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.14 | 7.52 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Revel F206:
- Revel F206 vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- MoFi SourcePoint 888 vs Revel F206
- Revel F328Be vs Revel F206
- KEF R5 Meta vs Revel F206
- Revel F206 vs Revel F226Be
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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).
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 Morel Avyra 633
- JBL Studio 698 vs Polk Audio Reserve R700
- JBL Studio 698 vs Arendal 1961 Tower
- JBL Studio 698 vs KEF R11 Meta
- JBL Studio 698 vs PSB Imagine T65
- JBL Studio 698 vs Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
- JBL Studio 698 vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan Tower
- See all 51 comparisons
Revel F206: $2,000 per pair used Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Revel F226Be, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a pretty even on-axis response. Predicted in-room response is excellent, with a smooth downward slope. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±65 degrees is wide, if a bit uneven. Distortion is very nice at 86dB SPL/1m, falling below the frequency range where human hearing is most sensitive, and stays excellent even at 96dB SPL/1m. Near-field measurements of the individual drivers show nice suppression of port and woofer resonances. Really amazing value for the performance. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87dB.
Cons: Some directivity error and a small peak around 4.5kHz show up alongside the directivity error around 3kHz. Vertical directivity means listening position needs to stay within the tweeter axis, though the reviewer notes there is some leeway. Minimum impedance dips to 3.3 ohms, calling for an amplifier comfortable with a demanding load. Discontinued.
Full Revel F206 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.3”H x 8.4”W x 12.2”D (1023.6 x 213.4 x 309.9 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 6.5” (16.5 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofers, 5.25” (13.3 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Midrange, 1” (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.52 |
| Weight | 57.3 lbs (26 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons