Short answer: the Polk Audio XT60. It ranks #178 of 228 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $458; the JBL Stage 2 280F ranks #188, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1,059.90, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Polk Audio XT60 is the more accurate option. A budget tower with a woofer and two passive radiators that gives surprisingly deep bass for the price. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.19 against 4.69 for the JBL Stage 2 280F. Watch for: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.96) is an unusually high, underdamped figure for a tower speaker, consistent with owner reports of a slightly loose, boomy low end at higher volumes.
Why pick the JBL Stage 2 280F: An easy to drive tower with twin 8 inch woofers that plays loud with low distortion for the price. The catch: 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.
Buy the Polk Audio XT60. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Stage 2 280F and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A budget tower with a woofer and two passive radiators that gives surprisingly deep bass for the price.
An easy to drive tower with twin 8 inch woofers that plays loud with low distortion for the price.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT60 | JBL Stage 2 280F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $458 per pair | $1,059.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #178 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #188 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5” passive radiators | 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8” polycellulose woofers |
| Weight | 20 lbs (9.07 kg) each | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator-loaded | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each | 43.8” x 14.1” x 16.5” (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.19 | 4.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 | 6.14 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz |
| Power Handling | - | 125W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Polk Audio XT60: