Short answer: the JBL Studio 698. Both are rated 4.3/5 for sound quality (#62 and #65 of 228 floorstanding speakers), and the JBL Studio 698 costs $1,499.90 against $2,398 for the Polk Audio Reserve R700, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The Reserve R700 has deeper bass and the higher preference score. A ring-radiator tweeter, a 6.5-inch midrange and two 8-inch woofers reach 40Hz before falling 3dB, with on-axis response within about 2dB, wide horizontal coverage of about 70 degrees each side and a preference score of 6.38. Its treble can sound forward when toed out, and it needs about 2 feet from the rear wall.
The Studio 698 is a horn-loaded tower built for dynamics. A 1-inch compression driver in JBL’s HDI waveguide gives excellent treble directivity, two 8-inch woofers reach 53Hz before falling 3dB, and its 90dB sensitivity means it plays loud with little power. A bump around 80Hz can sound thick in smaller rooms, and its top octave lacks some air.
Buy the JBL Studio 698. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $898.10 less than the Polk Audio Reserve R700.
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Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Polk Audio Reserve R700 scores 7.8 against 6.1 for the JBL Studio 698 on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the JBL Studio 698 is rated at 90 dB sensitivity against 87.5 dB for the Polk Audio Reserve R700, so it plays as loud with roughly two thirds of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (31 Hz vs 34 Hz, 10 dB down).
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio Reserve R700 | JBL Studio 698 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,398 per pair | $1,499.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #65 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #62 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 90dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” polypropylene cone woofers, 1x 6.5” turbine cone midrange, 1x 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter | 1 in. High-Definition Imaging compression driver, 6 in. PolyPlas midrange, dual 8 in. PolyPlas woofers |
| Weight | 102.1 lbs (46.3 kg) | 78.9 lbs (35.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, down-firing | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 45”H x 12.6”W x 16.9”D (1143.8 x 320.7 x 428.3 mm) | 41.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.7”D (1058 x 300 x 400 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.38 | 4.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 | 6.14 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Polk Audio Reserve R700: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- JBL Studio 698: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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