Short answer: the KEF Reference 203 for better sound quality, the JBL Studio 698 for the lower price. The KEF Reference 203 ranks #12 of 56 floorstanding speakers at $5000. The JBL Studio 698 ranks #16 at $699, $4301 cheaper.
What the KEF Reference 203 gets right: An unusually accomplished 4-way design for its era: excellent on-axis linearity (within about +/-3dB), genuinely good directivity both horizontally (~55 degrees) and vertically (~40-50 degrees). The catch: This is a 20+ year old, long-discontinued speaker only findable secondhand (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, audio forums) - condition, driver matching, and component aging vary by unit.
What the JBL Studio 698 offers: 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. Watch for: Measured response exhibits a prominent mid-bass emphasis bump around 80Hz that can sound overly thick or chesty in smaller rooms without DSP EQ.
Buy the KEF Reference 203 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Studio 698 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Reference 203 | JBL Studio 698 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5000 Discontinued | $699.00 |
| Ranked | #12 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #16 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 1067H mm (42" tall) | 41.7"H x 11.8"W x 15.7"D (1058 x 300 x 400 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 3.2 ohms per manufacturer spec) | 6 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1x 0.75" supertweeter, coaxial 1" dome tweeter + 6.5" midrange, 2x 6.5" woofers | 1 in. High-Definition Imaging compression driver, 6 in. PolyPlas midrange, dual 8 in. PolyPlas woofers |
| Weight | 58 lbs / 26.3 kg (58 lb) | 78.9 lbs / 35.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, with switchable flat/cut/lifted bass ports for wall placement | ported, rear |
| Crossover Frequency | 400Hz, 2.7kHz, 15kHz | - |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 55kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | 50-200W | - |
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- JBL HDI-3800 vs Focal Chora 816
- KEF R11 Meta vs Revel F206
- KEF Reference 203 vs Focal Chora 816
- KEF Reference 203 vs Revel Concerta2 F35
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Reference 203: $5000 Discontinued
Pros: An unusually accomplished 4-way design for its era: excellent on-axis linearity (within about +/-3dB), genuinely good directivity both horizontally (~55 degrees) and vertically (~40-50 degrees), and an estimated in-room response that closely matches what the reviewer actually heard. Distortion is excellent - under 1% harmonic above 80Hz at both 86dB and 96dB, and multitone stays around 1% even at 96dB. Bass reaches a real F3 of 51Hz (F10 37Hz), with in-room extension into the low-mid-40s. The reviewer’s overall listening notes were essentially “nothing stood out bad or good” - a genuinely neutral, accurate speaker with a distinctive rounded-baffle look that avoids the diffraction issues a flat baffle this wide would normally have.
Cons: This is a 20+ year old, long-discontinued speaker only findable secondhand (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, audio forums) - condition, driver matching, and component aging vary by unit, so audition before buying if at all possible. Demands a robust amplifier: impedance dips to about 3.6 ohms with an EPDR of 2.2 ohms. The small supertweeter shows minor breakup artifacts at the extremes of the vertical polar plot and some compression at very high output in the top octave, though neither was audible in normal listening. Discontinued.
Full KEF Reference 203 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 400Hz, 2.7kHz, 15kHz |
| Dimensions | 1067H mm (42" tall) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 0.75" supertweeter, coaxial 1" dome tweeter + 6.5" midrange, 2x 6.5" woofers |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 55kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum, measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 3.2 ohms per manufacturer spec) |
| Recommended Power | 50-200W |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 58 lbs / 26.3 kg (58 lb) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, with switchable flat/cut/lifted bass ports for wall placement |
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JBL Studio 698: $699.00 Amazon Crutchfield
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 78.9 lbs / 35.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons