Short answer: the Monolith Encore T6 for better sound quality, the JBL Stage 2 280F for the lower price. The Monolith Encore T6 ranks #38 of 54 floorstanding speakers at $800. The JBL Stage 2 280F ranks #47 at $529.95, $270.05 cheaper.
What the Monolith Encore T6 offers: Three 6.5-inch pulp-cone drivers provide more displacement and cleaner cinema output than the B6, with good compression behavior at normal levels. Watch for: Despite its size, Erin measured F3 around 68Hz, so the tower does not eliminate the need for a subwoofer.
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, which the reviewer recommends…
Buy the Monolith Encore T6 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 54 floorstanding speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monolith Encore T6 | JBL Stage 2 280F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $800/pair | $529.95 |
| Ranked | #38 of 54 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #47 of 54 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | ~68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87.8dB/2.83V/1m (manufacturer) | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Three 6.5-inch pulp woofers; 25mm waveguided silk dome | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8" polycellulose woofers |
| Dimensions | 40H x 7.9W x 13.8D inches | 43.8" x 14.1" x 16.5" (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) |
| Weight | 49.2lb each | 55.1 lbs / 25 kg (55.2 lb) each |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz |
| Output Power | - | 125W RMS |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Monolith Encore T6: $800/pair Amazon Monoprice
Pros: Three 6.5-inch pulp-cone drivers provide more displacement and cleaner cinema output than the B6, with good compression behavior at normal levels. Erin found the revised waveguided tweeter’s horizontal radiation consistent enough for predictable EQ, while the gloss-capped, heavily braced 49lb cabinet feels far above its price. The tower can produce useful midbass impact when crossed to a subwoofer.
Cons: Despite its size, Erin measured F3 around 68Hz, so the tower does not eliminate the need for a subwoofer. The native response needs equalization: crossover-region unevenness and excess top-octave energy prevent a fully neutral presentation. The four-ohm load and low-frequency phase angle warrant a robust amplifier, and the tall multi-driver array creates a narrower vertical listening window than a compact two-way.
Full Monolith Encore T6 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | ~68Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 40H x 7.9W x 13.8D inches |
| Drivers | Three 6.5-inch pulp woofers; 25mm waveguided silk dome |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 87.8dB/2.83V/1m (manufacturer) |
| Weight | 49.2lb each |
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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