Short answer: the Q Acoustics 5020 for better sound quality, the JBL Stage A130 for the lower price. The Q Acoustics 5020 ranks #42 of 56 bookshelf speakers at $1199. The JBL Stage A130 ranks #44 at $399, $800 cheaper.
What the Q Acoustics 5020 gets right: Attractively finished compact standmount with a 5-inch Continuous Curved Cone woofer and carefully engineered cabinet details. The catch: Erin found the tonal balance distinctly too crisp, forward and treble-heavy: the top end is roughly 3-5dB elevated while the 1-3kHz region is recessed, so vocals change level unnaturally as they move through their range.
What the JBL Stage A130 offers: More constant, better-behaved directivity than the smaller A120 once past the tweeter crossover point, giving a more consistent radiation pattern that likely explains some of its positive reception among other reviewers. Watch for: Still shows the same underlying “Batman”-shaped response pattern as the A120: a bass bump, a midrange dip, a cabinet-resonance peak around 800Hz-1.7kHz (confirmed via accelerometer testing on the cabinet panels).
Buy the Q Acoustics 5020 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Stage A130 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 56 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 5020 | JBL Stage A130 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.00 | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #42 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #44 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5" (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1" (25mm) tweeter | 5.25" (133mm) polycellulose woofer, 1" (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) | 3.2kHz |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.1"W x 11.5"D | 12.6"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (321 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (15.4 lbs / 7.0kg) each | 12 lbs / 5.45 kg each |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms nominal, about 4.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) | 85.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported | ported |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Q Acoustics 5020: $1,199.00 Amazon
Pros: Attractively finished compact standmount with a 5-inch Continuous Curved Cone woofer and carefully engineered cabinet details. Erin found distortion well controlled at normal levels: below 1% down to about 50Hz at 86dB/1m. Its 87dB measured sensitivity is unremarkable rather than hard to drive, and it maintains acceptable output for typical 80-85dB listening. The rear port can be plugged for placement flexibility.
Cons: Erin found the tonal balance distinctly too crisp, forward and treble-heavy: the top end is roughly 3-5dB elevated while the 1-3kHz region is recessed, so vocals change level unnaturally as they move through their range. The shallow woofer crossover and steeper tweeter slope contribute to the off-axis discontinuity, while the port has a strong 1kHz resonance. Bass is limited: Erin measured F3 103Hz and F10 48Hz; at 96dB distortion reaches about 3% by 100Hz, and he bottomed the woofer when pushed hard. He preferred the less-expensive 3020i’s linearity and did not recommend the 5020 for neutral listening without EQ.
Full Q Acoustics 5020 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.1"W x 11.5"D |
| Drivers | 5" (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (15.4 lbs / 7.0kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs Micca RB42
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs KEF Q100
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs Polk T15
- Q Acoustics 5020 vs JBL Stage A120
- See all 18 comparisons
JBL Stage A130: $399 Discontinued
Pros: More constant, better-behaved directivity than the smaller A120 once past the tweeter crossover point, giving a more consistent radiation pattern that likely explains some of its positive reception among other reviewers. Distortion at 96dB measures slightly better than a direct competitor (Emotiva Airmotiv B1+) in the low end, though slightly worse at high frequencies. The tweeter itself sounded decent to the reviewer, who considers it a reasonable value at its price point despite other reservations. Wide, well-filled horizontal radiation through the midrange.
Cons: Still shows the same underlying “Batman”-shaped response pattern as the A120: a bass bump, a midrange dip, a cabinet-resonance peak around 800Hz-1.7kHz (confirmed via accelerometer testing on the cabinet panels), and roughly a 5dB treble bump around 10kHz. Does not include a port bung, so sealed-cabinet listening requires DIY stuffing rather than a proper factory solution. The reviewer’s own measurements notably diverge from another well-known publication’s results on this same model, possibly reflecting a running production change, though this couldn’t be confirmed. Overall sound quality struck the reviewer as not a good-sounding speaker despite the more favorable measurements relative to the A120. Output-limited at extreme volumes (102dB), similar to its smaller sibling. Loses to the similarly-priced Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ in overall linearity and neutrality, according to the reviewer’s direct comparison. Discontinued.
Full JBL Stage A130 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3.2kHz |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (321 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" (133mm) polycellulose woofer, 1" (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, about 4.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12 lbs / 5.45 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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 A130 vs Fluance Signature HFS
- JBL Stage A130 vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- JBL Stage A130 vs Micca RB42
- JBL Stage A130 vs Polk T15
- JBL Stage A130 vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- JBL Stage A130 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- JBL Stage A130 vs KEF Q100
- JBL Stage A130 vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- See all 20 comparisons