Short answer: the Klipsch RP-5000F II for better sound quality, the JBL Stage 2 280F for the lower price. The Klipsch RP-5000F II ranks #41 of 59 floorstanding speakers at $1199.98. The JBL Stage 2 280F ranks #52 at $529.95, $670.03 cheaper.
The case for the Klipsch RP-5000F II: The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. Set against that: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander - F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz - and needs a subwoofer.
On the JBL Stage 2 280F side: 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. The catch: 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 Klipsch RP-5000F II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Stage 2 280F if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the JBL Stage 2 280F. It ranks near the bottom of the 59 floorstanding speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-5000F II | JBL Stage 2 280F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1199.98 | $529.95 |
| Ranked | #41 of 59 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #52 of 59 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25" cerametallic woofers | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8" polycellulose woofers |
| Weight | 38.6 lbs / 17.5 kg | 55.1 lbs / 25 kg (55.2 lb) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1900Hz | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz |
| Output Power | 100W continuous, 400W peak | 125W RMS |
| Dimensions | 36.1" x 8.1" x 14.8" (917 x 207 x 375 mm) | 43.8" x 14.1" x 16.5" (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch RP-5000F II: $1199.98 Amazon
Pros: The most tonally coherent of the RP II floorstander line, with a mild baffle-step dip and treble tilt but no additional coloration issues beyond that. Precise imaging thanks to the controlled horn/waveguide directivity.
Cons: Bass extension is underwhelming for a floorstander - F3 at 55Hz, F10 at 41Hz - and needs a subwoofer. Narrow horizontal dispersion (~50-60 degrees) trades soundstage width for imaging precision. A mild high-frequency tilt and a slight lack of detail around 1-1.5kHz.
Full Klipsch RP-5000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1900Hz |
| Dimensions | 36.1" x 8.1" x 14.8" (917 x 207 x 375 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with Tractrix horn, dual 5.25" cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 100W continuous, 400W peak |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 38.6 lbs / 17.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs KEF Q11 Meta
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Monolith THX-365T
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Klipsch RP-8000F II
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Klipsch Heresy IV
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Polk Audio XT60
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
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JBL Stage 2 280F: $529.95 Amazon
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.
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/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 |
| 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) |
| Output Power | 125W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs / 25 kg (55.2 lb) 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
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Infinity Reference 253
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- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Polk T50
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs JBL Studio 590
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- See all 13 comparisons