Short answer: the Polk Audio XT15. It ranks #26 of 63 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $179; the JBL Stage 2 250B ranks #37 and costs $349.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Polk Audio XT15 side: Very low $179/pair entry price for a Hi-Res Audio Certified 2-way design that’s Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs so it drops into almost any AVR without matching concerns. The tradeoff: Bass rolls off earlier than most of this batch at 77.6Hz (-3dB) / 54.2Hz (-10dB).
What the JBL Stage 2 250B gets right: Consistent, EQ-able dips in the frequency response mean the tonal issues are at least correctable if you’re willing to use equalization. Watch for: The reviewer was “even less enthusiastic” about this one than its disappointing floorstanding sibling.
Buy the Polk Audio XT15. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Stage 2 250B and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT15 | JBL Stage 2 250B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179 | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #26 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #37 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.51 x 18.24cm (6.5 x 7.18 in), 4.08kg (9 lb) each | 12.6"H x 7.9"W x 9.5"D (321.0 x 200.0 x 241.0 mm) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 5.25" bi-laminate paper woofer | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, 5.25" polycellulose woofer |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.08 kg (9 lb) each | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12.4 lb) per pair |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported | ported, rear |
| Output Power | - | 75W RMS |
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- KEF Q150 vs Neumi Silk 4
- Neumi Silk 4 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
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- KEF Q150 vs Polk Audio XT15
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Polk Audio XT15
The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Audio XT15: $179 Amazon Bhphotovideo Crutchfield
Pros: Very low $179/pair entry price for a Hi-Res Audio Certified 2-way design that’s Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs so it drops into almost any AVR without matching concerns. Directivity spread is reasonably even for the price (directivity_spdi_stddev 3.60).
Cons: Bass rolls off earlier than most of this batch at 77.6Hz (-3dB) / 54.2Hz (-10dB). On-axis deviation is the roughest measured figure here (aad_on_axis 0.449), and listening-window smoothness (0.303) trails the pricier options in this group. Modest 86dB sensitivity wants a reasonably powered amp channel. The 5.25” bi-laminate paper woofer is Polk’s entry-tier driver, not the polypropylene/Turbine cones used in its pricier Signature Elite/Reserve lines.
Full Polk Audio XT15 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 16.51 x 18.24cm (6.5 x 7.18 in), 4.08kg (9 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 5.25" bi-laminate paper woofer |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.08 kg (9 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Neumi Silk 4
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Polk Audio XT15 vs KEF Q150
- Polk Audio XT15 vs JBL Studio 530
- Polk Audio XT15 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- See all 15 comparisons
JBL Stage 2 250B: $349.95 Amazon
Pros: Consistent, EQ-able dips in the frequency response mean the tonal issues are at least correctable if you’re willing to use equalization. Horizontal dispersion is reasonably wide and controlled (~50-60 degrees). The tweeter itself holds up fine under compression testing - it’s the midwoofer that gives out first.
Cons: The reviewer was “even less enthusiastic” about this one than its disappointing floorstanding sibling. A confusing, hard-to-place tonal signature - a lower-midrange dip creates a recessed, lacking-attack character that’s then partly offset by a rebound around 2-4kHz, so it reads as recessed and forward at different times depending on the material. Treble falls off sharply above 6-7kHz, same issue as the larger 280F. Multitone distortion at 96dB is genuinely poor - well over 3%, reportedly around 10% at some frequencies. Limited bass extension (F3 64Hz, F10 50Hz) means a subwoofer is basically required if used as main speakers. Compression sets in early on the bass/midwoofer at higher output. The reviewer explicitly recommends the similarly-priced Polk Reserve R200/R100 instead for anyone who wants a more linear, EQ-free sound.
Full JBL Stage 2 250B review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.9"W x 9.5"D (321.0 x 200.0 x 241.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, 5.25" polycellulose woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12.4 lb) per pair |
| 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 250B vs ELAC BS U5
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- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs JBL L52 Classic
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
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