Short answer: the Klipsch RP-8000F II for better sound quality, the JBL Stage 2 280F for the lower price. The Klipsch RP-8000F II ranks #42 of 56 floorstanding speakers at $1800. The JBL Stage 2 280F ranks #49 at $529.95, $1270.05 cheaper.
What the Klipsch RP-8000F II gets right: Highest sensitivity of the RP II floorstander line (~92dB measured) and the best dynamics/compression behavior of the three under load - the cleanest at high output. The catch: Mid-bass sounds lean despite the dual 8-inch woofers, and bass extension disappointed for its size - expected to reach 50Hz, didn’t get there in-room.
What the JBL Stage 2 280F offers: 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. 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.
Buy the Klipsch RP-8000F 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 both of these and look higher up the 56 floorstanding speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-8000F II | JBL Stage 2 280F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1800 | $529.95 |
| Ranked | #42 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #49 of 56 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (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 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8" cerametallic woofers | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8" polycellulose woofers |
| Weight | 61.3 lbs / 27.8 kg | 55.1 lbs / 25 kg (55.2 lb) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1630Hz | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz |
| Output Power | 150W continuous, 600W peak | 125W RMS |
| Dimensions | 43.1" x 10.8" x 18.3" (1095 x 275 x 464 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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- Infinity Reference 253 vs JBL Studio 590
- Revel Concerta2 F35 vs Magnepan LRS+
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Sony SS-CS3
The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch RP-8000F II: $1800 Amazon
Pros: Highest sensitivity of the RP II floorstander line (~92dB measured) and the best dynamics/compression behavior of the three under load - the cleanest at high output. Dual 8-inch woofers and the highest power handling in the line.
Cons: Mid-bass sounds lean despite the dual 8-inch woofers, and bass extension disappointed for its size - expected to reach 50Hz, didn’t get there in-room. Has its own edgy upper-mid bump (2-6kHz) that’s harder to EQ out than the other two models’ issues, since it stems from the vertical horn/woofer offset rather than simple tonal balance. The most placement-critical of the three, with the narrowest horizontal (~40-50 degrees) and vertical (+5/-10 degrees) dispersion.
Full Klipsch RP-8000F II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1630Hz |
| Dimensions | 43.1" x 10.8" x 18.3" (1095 x 275 x 464 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" titanium tweeter with 90x90 Tractrix horn, dual 8" cerametallic woofers |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 25kHz (+-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 150W continuous, 600W peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 61.3 lbs / 27.8 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Polk T50
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Klipsch RP-5000F II
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs KLH Model Five
- Klipsch RP-8000F II vs Sony SS-CS3
- See all 14 comparisons
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
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Magnepan LRS+
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Sony SS-CS3
- 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 11 comparisons