Short answer: the KEF R11 Meta if sound quality matters most, the JBL Stage 2 280F if price matters most. The KEF R11 Meta ranks #44 of 188 floorstanding speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $6,999.98. The JBL Stage 2 280F ranks #156, rated 3.4/5, at $1,319.90, $5,680.08 cheaper.
The KEF R11 Meta is the more accurate pick. CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with good directivity and very deep bass extension (F10 of 30Hz). Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.91 against 4.69 for the JBL Stage 2 280F. Watch for: A dip around 1-1.2kHz on-axis is attributed to a diffraction effect, and shows up as a smaller dip in the predicted in-room response.
The JBL Stage 2 280F is the deeper-bass pick. Genuinely impressive output capability and low compression/distortion for the price, courtesy of the dual 8” woofers: the reviewer’s standout praise for this pair. Its bass reaches about 48Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the KEF R11 Meta. Watch for: Explicitly called out as disappointing relative to expectations for the JBL name and this price point: lacks native linearity compared to similarly-priced alternatives like the Polk Reserve R500, which the reviewer recommends instead for anyone who doesn’t want to rely on EQ.
Buy the KEF R11 Meta if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL Stage 2 280F if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R11 Meta | JBL Stage 2 280F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6,999.98 per pair | $1,319.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #44 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #156 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 51”H x 12.2”W x 15.1”D (1295.4 x 309.9 x 383.5 mm) | 43.8” x 14.1” x 16.5” (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8” polycellulose woofers |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 80.5 lbs (36.5 kg) each | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.91 | 4.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 | 6.14 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz |
| Power Handling | - | 125W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How KEF R11 Meta compares with other leading options:
- KEF R11 Meta vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition vs KEF R11 Meta
- KEF R11 Meta vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- KEF R11 Meta vs Revel F328Be
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 vs KEF R11 Meta
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF R11 Meta: $6,999.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the KEF R11 (ranked lower, estimated 4.3/5).
Same family: the KEF R3 Meta (bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the KEF R5 Meta (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5), the KEF R7 Meta (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.6/5), the KEF R2 Meta (smaller center, rated 4.3/5) and the KEF R6 Meta (larger center, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with good directivity and very deep bass extension (F10 of 30Hz). Predicted in-room response is very smooth aside from the small 1-1.5kHz dip. The coaxial Uni-Q driver gives excellent, symmetric vertical directivity, unusual for a tower speaker. Distortion is incredibly low even down to 30Hz at 86dB SPL/1m, and stays low even at 96dB and 102dB SPL/1m: the reviewer found essentially no audible tonality change across that whole output range. Measured bass extension of 64Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A dip around 1-1.2kHz on-axis is attributed to a diffraction effect, and shows up as a smaller dip in the predicted in-room response. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±40 degrees is on the narrower side, though the transition from wide to constant directivity is smooth. Minimum impedance dips to 3.2 ohms around 580Hz, calling for an amplifier comfortable with a demanding load. 4-ohm nominal impedance overall.
Full KEF R11 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 51”H x 12.2”W x 15.1”D (1295.4 x 309.9 x 383.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 |
| Weight | 80.5 lbs (36.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Stage 2 280F: $1,319.90 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Stage A180 (ranked higher, rated 3.8/5).
Same family: the JBL Stage 2 240B (smaller bookshelf, estimated 2.7/5), the JBL Stage 250B (larger bookshelf, rated 3.2/5), the JBL Stage 2 260F (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.2/5), the JBL Stage 2 245C (center, estimated 3.2/5), the JBL Stage 200P (smaller subwoofer, estimated 3.5/5) and the JBL Stage 220P (larger subwoofer, estimated 3.7/5).
Pros: Genuinely impressive output capability and low compression/distortion for the price, courtesy of the dual 8” woofers: the reviewer’s standout praise for this pair. High sensitivity (89.5dB measured) and low impedance make it easy to drive. Decent bass extension (F3 48Hz, F10 30Hz) reaches about 50Hz in-room. Horizontal dispersion is reasonably consistent (~55 degrees), meaning the speaker takes reasonably well to EQ correction. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.5dB.
Cons: Explicitly called out as disappointing relative to expectations for the JBL name and this price point: lacks native linearity compared to similarly-priced alternatives like the Polk Reserve R500, which the reviewer recommends instead for anyone who doesn’t want to rely on EQ. Treble falls off a cliff above about 10-12kHz, giving a notable lack of air/space that needs real correction (a wide +Q0.5 boost from 10-20kHz) to fix. A sharp impedance resonance around 900Hz-1.1kHz is nearly impossible to EQ out cleanly even with narrow filters. Elevated multitone distortion in the 600Hz-2.5kHz range, tied to the midwoofer rather than the tweeter. Compared to the similarly-priced Klipsch RP-6000F II/Klipsch RP-8000F II, this JBL is less directive and native-flat but does extend roughly 20Hz deeper in the bass: a real tradeoff either way, not a clean win.
Full JBL Stage 2 280F review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 43.8” x 14.1” x 16.5” (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8” polycellulose woofers |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 125W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.14 |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Polk Signature Elite ES60
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Magnepan LRS+
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Infinity Reference 253
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Polk Audio XT60
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Polk Audio XT70
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Sony SS-CS3
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs JBL Studio 590
- See all 39 comparisons