In this review, we will be comparing DB10 and A120P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Fluance and JBL. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Fluance DB10 and JBL Stage A120P first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Fluance DB10and JBL Stage A120P have a single woofer setup however the Fluance DB10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the JBL Stage A120P features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
DB10 has a frequency range of 38-180 Hz whereas A120P has a frequency range of 32-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the A120P can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DB10's min frequency of 38Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
The Fluance DB10 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs. On the other hand the JBL Stage A120P have Bass reflex type enclosure.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Fluance DB10's and JBL Stage A120P's external dimensions. Fluance DB10 has external dimensions of 406.0 x 302.0 x 399.0mm (16 x 11-7/8 x 15-11/16inch) whereas JBL Stage A120P has external dimensions of 415.0 x 393.0 x 475.0mm (16-5/16 x 15-7/16 x 18-11/16inch).
JBL Stage A120P is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 91mm wider, 9mm taller and 76mm deeper than Fluance DB10.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
JBL Stage A120P needs about 55% more floor or shelf area. JBL Stage A120P is 76mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Fluance DB10 is approximately 1205.0cm2 / 186.8inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage A120P is approximately 1866.8cm2 / 289.4inch2. The DB10 requires 35% less surface area than the A120P which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Fluance DB10 weighs 11.20kg / 24.6lbs and the JBL Stage A120P weighs 18.68kg / 41.1lbs. This makes the A120P 67% heavier than the DB10.
Here is a comparison of how DB10 and A120P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
406mm
vs
415mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1205cm2
vs
1866cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
200USD
vs
300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
JBL Stage A120P needs about 55% more floor area. JBL Stage A120P stands 76mm further into the room.
| General |
Fluance DB10 |
JBL Stage A120P |
| Brand |
Fluance |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
45 watts |
250 watts |
| Frequency Response |
38-180 Hz |
32-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
45-watt RMS |
250-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
120-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polycellulose |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40 Hz - 180 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
406.0mm (16") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
302.0mm (11.9") |
393.0mm (15.5") |
| Depth |
399.0mm (15.7") |
475.0mm (18.7") |
| Weight |
11.20kg (24.6lbs) |
18.68kg (41.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | JBL Stage A120P goes deeper - 32Hz against 38Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 38Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | JBL Stage A120P has the bigger amplifier - 250W against 45W RMS, about 7.4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | JBL Stage A120P moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Fluance DB10 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Fluance DB10 is about 37% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Warranty | A | Fluance DB10 carries 2 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | Fluance DB10 costs less - $200 against $300, about 33% less. |
A Fluance DB10 B JBL Stage A120P
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
JBL Stage A120P is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 50% more. Fluance DB10 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Fluance DB10 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Fluance DB10 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.