Short answer: the JBL XPL-90, the cleaner design despite its peaks. It stays nearly ruler-flat on-axis up to 1kHz with even horizontal directivity until the tweeter beams above 10kHz, though the crossover region and treble peak around 3kHz and above 10kHz, and poor vertical directivity means the tweeter needs to sit at ear level. The B&W 805S’s directivity breaks down badly from around 1kHz to 3kHz, leaving vocals recessed and masked without EQ.
Buy the JBL XPL-90 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the AsciLab C6B instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL XPL-90 | B&W 805S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,298 per pair used (vintage, late 1980s), Discontinued | $2,500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #110 of 141 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #121 of 141 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5” bass/mid driver, 1” titanium dome tweeter | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5” woven Kevlar cone mid/bass |
| Dimensions | 15.5”H x 9.5”W x 9.8”D (394 x 241 x 248 mm) | 16.5H x 9.4W x 13.8D in |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum) |
| Power Handling | 100W nominal, 400W max | 50-120W |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.7 (spinorama.org) | 4.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.31 (spinorama.org) | 6.07 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 49Hz - 22kHz +/-3dB (-6dB at 42Hz and 50kHz) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL XPL-90: $1,298 per pair used (vintage, late 1980s) Discontinued eBay
Pros: Nearly ruler-flat on-axis response up to 1kHz with even horizontal directivity until the tweeter beams above 10kHz. The reviewer found real strength with vocals and simpler instrumentation, calling it “the first speaker I have liked that has some clear response errors” and “an enjoyable speaker” despite the flaws. Titanium tweeter and internal Monster cable wiring reflect JBL’s higher-end late-1980s engineering. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Crossover region peaking around 3kHz and treble peaking above 10kHz color the top end, and poor vertical directivity means the tweeter needs to be at ear level. Distortion rises at 96dB SPL, especially around 3kHz. Long discontinued; only available on the used market.
Full JBL XPL-90 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.5”H x 9.5”W x 9.8”D (394 x 241 x 248 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” bass/mid driver, 1” titanium dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 100W nominal, 400W max |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.7 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.31 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
B&W 805S: $2,500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the B&W 805 D4, ranked higher, estimated 3.2/5.
Pros: Bass and dynamic performance are strong for the cabinet size, playing very loud with well-controlled bass distortion. Horizontal beamwidth stays reasonably smooth through -6dB. Build quality has enough of a “quality feel” that the reviewer said it kept the speaker from the lowest possible rating. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows directivity breaking down badly starting around 1kHz and staying poor to 3kHz: a wide crossover-region flaw the reviewer called “clearly flawed execution” that leaves vocals sounding recessed and masked without EQ correction. A high 4kHz crossover point appears to leave the tweeter’s small sub-enclosure resonating audibly during playback. Discontinued, superseded by the 805 Diamond/805 D4 series.
Full B&W 805S review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5H x 9.4W x 13.8D in |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5” woven Kevlar cone mid/bass |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 22kHz +/-3dB (-6dB at 42Hz and 50kHz) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum) |
| Power Handling | 50-120W |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.07 |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons