Short answer: the JBL Stage XD-5, if you are buying new. The Revel M80XC ranks higher than it (#2 vs #7 of 13 outdoor speakers, 3.9/5 vs 3.3/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Stage XD-5 is still sold new at $499.95.
The Revel M80XC is the better-sounding choice. Klippel NFS testing by Audio Science Review yields an impressive preference score of 4.07 (6.95 with subwoofer) for an all-weather cabinet. The catch: Price is relatively high at $900 per pair.
What the JBL Stage XD-5 does well: Modern outdoor successor to the Control X, upgrading weatherproofing to a fully submersible IP67 waterproof rating with zero-bezel magnetic grilles. The catch: Acoustic suspension design rolls off bass below 75Hz (-6dB), requiring boundary corner placement or a dedicated subwoofer for full-range musical foundation.
Buy the JBL Stage XD-5, since the Revel M80XC is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel M80XC | JBL Stage XD-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $900 per pair Discontinued | $499.95 per pair |
| Ranked | #2 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers | #7 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers |
| Drivers | 8” aluminum cone woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with Acoustic Lens waveguide | 5.25” (130mm) polycellulose cone woofer, 1” (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter on HDI waveguide with acoustic lens |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way | Passive 2-way |
| Sensitivity | 91dB | 86dB (2.83V @ 1m) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Recommended Power | 20-100W RMS | 20-100W RMS |
| Enclosure | Sealed, IP56 weather-resistant | Sealed all-weather composite, IP67 waterproof |
| Dimensions | 13”H x 10.1”W x 11”D (330 x 257 x 280 mm) | 8.7”H x 6.4”W x 7”D (221 x 162 x 179 mm) |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.07 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.95 | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 75Hz - 25kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Revel M80XC: $900 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Klippel NFS testing by Audio Science Review yields an impressive preference score of 4.07 (6.95 with subwoofer) for an all-weather cabinet. Wide and uniform horizontal directivity (+/-60 degrees) and smooth predicted in-room response (0.728 smoothness). Generous 8” aluminum cone woofer produces clean output and solid bass extension down to 67Hz (-6dB) with sturdy IP56 weatherproofing and high 91dB sensitivity. Measured bass extension of 82.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Price is relatively high at $900 per pair. Treble resonance around 4.5kHz and port-less sealed alignment require substantial amplifier power to hit reference levels in wide-open outdoor spaces. Discontinued.
Full Revel M80XC review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
| Dimensions | 13”H x 10.1”W x 11”D (330 x 257 x 280 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” aluminum cone woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter with Acoustic Lens waveguide |
| Enclosure | Sealed, IP56 weather-resistant |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Recommended Power | 20-100W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 91dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.95 |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Stage XD-5: $499.95 per pair Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL Control X (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Modern outdoor successor to the Control X, upgrading weatherproofing to a fully submersible IP67 waterproof rating with zero-bezel magnetic grilles. Combines a 5.25” polycellulose cone woofer with an aluminum dome tweeter mated to JBL’s High-Definition Imaging (HDI) waveguide for uniform, wide-dispersion horizontal coverage across open patios and decks.
Cons: Acoustic suspension design rolls off bass below 75Hz (-6dB), requiring boundary corner placement or a dedicated subwoofer for full-range musical foundation. Full laboratory-grade Klippel NFS Spinorama directivity curves have not yet been published, so tonal linearity is estimated from the measured Control X predecessor.
Full JBL Stage XD-5 review and specifications →
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8.7”H x 6.4”W x 7”D (221 x 162 x 179 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (130mm) polycellulose cone woofer, 1” (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter on HDI waveguide with acoustic lens |
| Enclosure | Sealed all-weather composite, IP67 waterproof |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 25kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Recommended Power | 20-100W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V @ 1m) |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons