Short answer: the Polk Audio XT70. It ranks #170 of 228 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $698; the JBL Stage 2 280F ranks #188, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1,319.90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Polk Audio XT70 does well: A budget tower with twin woofers and two passive radiators for extra bass, working with 4 or 8 ohm amplifiers. Watch for: On-axis smoothness (0.274) and listening-window smoothness (0.303) are unremarkable for a tower this size, with a pronounced +0.28dB per octave upward tonal tilt giving it a brighter-leaning balance and a predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.31.
What the JBL Stage 2 280F does well: An easy to drive tower with twin 8 inch woofers that plays loud with low distortion for the price. 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 instead for anyone who doesn’t want to rely on EQ.
Buy the Polk Audio XT70. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Stage 2 280F and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Polk Audio XT70 scores 7.1 against 6.1 for the JBL Stage 2 280F on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (43.9 Hz vs 48 Hz, 3 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT70 | JBL Stage 2 280F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $698 per pair | $1,319.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #170 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #188 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | Ported, critically-braced MDF | - |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 2x 6.5” Dynamic Balance woofers, 2x 8” passive radiators | 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8” polycellulose woofers |
| Dimensions | 40.4H x 9.25W x 12.5D in | 43.8” x 14.1” x 16.5” (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 89dB @ 1W/1m | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4/8 ohm compatible | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | China | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.16 | 4.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 | 6.14 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.7Hz (derived, sustained-crossing interpolation, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz |
| Power Handling | - | 125W RMS |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Polk Audio XT70: Spinorama.org measurements.
- JBL Stage 2 280F: 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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