Short answer: the Polk Signature Elite ES60. Both are rated 3.4/5 for sound quality (#187 and #188 of 228 floorstanding speakers), and the Polk Signature Elite ES60 costs $1,198 against $1,319.90 for the JBL Stage 2 280F, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
What the Polk Signature Elite ES60 does well: A value tower with three 6.5 inch woofers for strong output and deep bass, easy to drive. The tradeoff: The measured data show enough directivity and response unevenness to keep it below the strongest neutral towers, and its large cabinet needs room.
The JBL Stage 2 280F is the more accurate option. An easy to drive tower with twin 8 inch woofers that plays loud with low distortion for the price. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.69 against 3.69 for the Polk Signature Elite ES60. 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 Signature Elite ES60. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $121.90 less than the JBL Stage 2 280F.
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 JBL Stage 2 280F scores 6.1 against 5.6 for the Polk Signature Elite ES60 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 (51.3 Hz vs 48 Hz, 3 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Signature Elite ES60 | JBL Stage 2 280F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,198 per pair | $1,319.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #187 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #188 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way floorstander with Power Port | - |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene tweeter, three 6.5” woofers | 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8” polycellulose woofers |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz-40kHz (manufacturer) | - |
| Sensitivity | 90dB specified; 89.5dB measured | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms compatible | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 44.5H x 8.5W x 15.7D in | 43.8” x 14.1” x 16.5” (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) |
| Weight | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) each | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.69 | 4.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.57 | 6.14 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 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 Signature Elite ES60: 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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