In this review, we will be comparing A120P and HDI-1200P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by 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 JBL Stage A120P and JBL HDI-1200P 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.JBL Stage A120Pand JBL HDI-1200P have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
A120P has a frequency range of 32-150 Hz whereas HDI-1200P has a frequency range of 28-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the HDI-1200P can go slightly deeper then the A120P's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 JBL Stage A120P has a Bass reflex type cabinet. On the other hand the JBL HDI-1200P have Bass Reflex type enclosure. 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.
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 JBL Stage A120P's and JBL HDI-1200P's external dimensions. 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) whereas JBL HDI-1200P has external dimensions of 480.0 x 412.0 x 493.0mm (18-7/8 x 16-3/16 x 19-3/8inch).
JBL HDI-1200P is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 19mm wider, 65mm taller and 18mm deeper than JBL Stage A120P.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of JBL Stage A120P and JBL HDI-1200P in scale.
Comparison image of JBL Stage A120P and JBL HDI-1200P Size and External Dimensions
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 JBL Stage A120P is approximately 1866.8cm2 / 289.4inch2 and base area of the JBL HDI-1200P is approximately 2031.2cm2 / 314.8inch2. The A120P requires 8% less surface area than the HDI-1200P 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 JBL Stage A120P weighs 18.68kg / 41.1lbs and the JBL HDI-1200P weighs 32.18kg / 70.8lbs. This makes the HDI-1200P 72% heavier than the A120P.
Here is a comparison of how A120P and HDI-1200P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of JBL Stage A120P?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of A120P:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 4 Spike feet
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Card
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of JBL HDI-1200P?
Here are the items that come with the HDI-1200P:
- Powered Subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 16.5-feet Mono-RCA/Mono-Minijack cable
- 4 Spikes
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 Height |
415mm
vs
480mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1866cm2
vs
2031cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
2310USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
32 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 HDI-1200P needs about 9% more floor area. JBL HDI-1200P stands 18mm further into the room. JBL HDI-1200P is 65mm taller.
| General |
JBL Stage A120P |
JBL HDI-1200P |
| Brand |
JBL |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
250 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
32-150 Hz |
28-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
250-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
500-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polycellulose |
Poly-plas |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
415.0mm (16.3") |
480.0mm (18.9") |
| Width |
393.0mm (15.5") |
412.0mm (16.2") |
| Depth |
475.0mm (18.7") |
493.0mm (19.4") |
| Weight |
18.68kg (41.1lbs) |
32.18kg (70.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
5 Years |
Different price classes - JBL HDI-1200P costs roughly 7.7x what JBL Stage A120P does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | JBL HDI-1200P goes deeper - 28Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | JBL HDI-1200P has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 250W RMS, about 6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | JBL Stage A120P is about 21% 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 | B | JBL HDI-1200P carries 5 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 | JBL Stage A120P costs less - $300 against $2,310, about 87% less. |
A JBL Stage A120P B JBL HDI-1200P
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?
The usual trade-off: JBL HDI-1200P measures better, JBL Stage A120P costs about 87% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $300 each, two JBL Stage A120P cost about $600 against $2,310 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.