Short answer: the Polk Audio Atrium 4, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #11 of 13 outdoor speakers by sound quality (rated 2.6/5) at $117 and is still sold new; the JBL Control 25T ranks #13 (rated 2.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 13 outdoor speakers, so if sound quality matters, look higher up that list instead.
The Polk Audio Atrium 4 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Extremely compact, lightweight (1.63 kg), and affordable outdoor pair with Speed-Lock quick mounting bracket. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 1.46 against 0.32 for the JBL Control 25T. Its bass reaches about 112.8Hz before falling 3dB, against 150Hz for the JBL Control 25T. The catch: Small 4.5” driver restricts low-end performance; bass extension drops steeply past 98Hz (-6dB) with little acoustic energy below 100Hz.
What the JBL Control 25T does well: Durable commercial outdoor construction with included InvisiBall multi-angle mounting system and built-in multi-tap 70V/100V transformer (30W, 15W, 7.5W taps). The tradeoff: Vendor spinorama measurements show a sharply band-limited frequency response optimized for commercial voice paging rather than music, yielding a low 0.32 preference score.
Buy the Polk Audio Atrium 4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Control 25T is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio Atrium 4 | JBL Control 25T | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $117.00 per pair | $350 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers | #13 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers |
| Drivers | 4.5” (114mm) mineral-filled polymer cone woofer, 0.75” (19mm) anodized aluminum dome tweeter with neodymium magnet | 5.25” (135mm) polypropylene coated woofer with WeatherEdge, 0.75” (19mm) titanium coated polycarbonate tweeter |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way | Passive 2-way |
| Sensitivity | 89dB | 88dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Recommended Power | 10-80W | - |
| Enclosure | Sealed all-weather Mineral-filled polypropylene | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 5.7”W x 6.6”D (219 x 144 x 168 mm) | 9.3”H x 7.4”W x 5.9”D (236 x 188 x 149 mm) |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs (1.63 kg) | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 112.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 150.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 128.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 74.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 112.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.46 | 0.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.10 | 4.69 |
| Power Handling | - | 150W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Polk Audio Atrium 4 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Control X Wireless vs Polk Audio Atrium 4
- Revel M80XC vs Polk Audio Atrium 4
- Focal Chorus OD 706 V vs Polk Audio Atrium 4
- Focal 100 OD6 vs Polk Audio Atrium 4
- Revel M55XC vs Polk Audio Atrium 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Audio Atrium 4: $117.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Extremely compact, lightweight (1.63 kg), and affordable outdoor pair with Speed-Lock quick mounting bracket. Clean build quality that easily survives harsh rain and sun exposure. Smooth dispersion pattern (+60/-70 degrees horizontal). Measured bass extension of 112.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Small 4.5” driver restricts low-end performance; bass extension drops steeply past 98Hz (-6dB) with little acoustic energy below 100Hz. Notable mid-treble shelf gives it a forward, bright presentation and yields a low 1.46 preference score.
Full Polk Audio Atrium 4 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 74.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 112.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 5.7”W x 6.6”D (219 x 144 x 168 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5” (114mm) mineral-filled polymer cone woofer, 0.75” (19mm) anodized aluminum dome tweeter with neodymium magnet |
| Enclosure | Sealed all-weather Mineral-filled polypropylene |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Recommended Power | 10-80W |
| Sensitivity | 89dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.10 |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs (1.63 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Audio Atrium 4 vs OSD Audio AP650
- Polk Audio Atrium 4 vs JBL Control 25-1
- Polk Audio Atrium 4 vs JBL Control 29AV-1
- Polk Audio Atrium 4 vs JBL Control X
- Polk Audio Atrium 4 vs JBL Stage XD-5
- Polk Audio Atrium 4 vs RSL Outsider II
- Polk Audio Atrium 4 vs Revel M55XC
- Polk Audio Atrium 4 vs Focal 100 OD6
- See all 11 comparisons
JBL Control 25T: $350 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Control 25-1, ranked higher, estimated 2.4/5.
Pros: Durable commercial outdoor construction with included InvisiBall multi-angle mounting system and built-in multi-tap 70V/100V transformer (30W, 15W, 7.5W taps). High durability and weather resistance against humidity and salt air. Measured bass extension of 150.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Vendor spinorama measurements show a sharply band-limited frequency response optimized for commercial voice paging rather than music, yielding a low 0.32 preference score. Bass roll-off begins early at 128Hz (-6dB), and the model is superseded by the Control 25-1. Discontinued.
Full JBL Control 25T review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 112.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 150.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 128.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 7.4”W x 5.9”D (236 x 188 x 149 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (135mm) polypropylene coated woofer with WeatherEdge, 0.75” (19mm) titanium coated polycarbonate tweeter |
| Enclosure | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 150W |
| Sensitivity | 88dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.69 |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons