In this review, we will be comparing B1 and A120P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Revel 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 Revel B1 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.Revel B1and JBL Stage A120P have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
B1 has a frequency range of 36-150 Hz whereas A120P has a frequency range of 32-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the A120P can go slightly deeper then the B1's min frequency of 36Hz.
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 Revel B1 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 Revel B1's and JBL Stage A120P's external dimensions. Revel B1 has external dimensions of 451.0 x 402.0 x 391.0mm (17-3/4 x 15-13/16 x 15-3/8inch) 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 9mm narrower and 36mm shorter than Revel B1 but it is also 84mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Revel B1 and JBL Stage A120P in scale.
Comparison image of Revel B1 and JBL Stage A120P 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 Revel B1 is approximately 1571.8cm2 / 243.6inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage A120P is approximately 1866.8cm2 / 289.4inch2. The B1 requires 16% 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 Revel B1 weighs 23.18kg / 51lbs and the JBL Stage A120P weighs 18.68kg / 41.1lbs. This makes the B1 24% heavier than the A120P.
Here is a comparison of how B1 and A120P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Revel B1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of B1:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- 16-feet Mono-RCA cable
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of JBL Stage A120P?
Here are the items that come with the A120P:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 4 Spike feet
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Card
- Important Safety Instructions
 Base Surface Area |
1571cm2
vs
1866cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
415mm
vs
451mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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 19% more floor area. JBL Stage A120P stands 84mm further into the room. Revel B1 is 36mm taller.
| General |
Revel B1 |
JBL Stage A120P |
| Brand |
Revel |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
250 watts |
250 watts |
| Frequency Response |
36-150 Hz |
32-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
250-watt RMS |
250-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Micro Ceramic Composite |
Polycellulose |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
451.0mm (17.8") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
402.0mm (15.8") |
393.0mm (15.5") |
| Depth |
391.0mm (15.4") |
475.0mm (18.7") |
| Weight |
23.18kg (51lbs) |
18.68kg (41.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
Different price classes - Revel B1 costs roughly 3.3x what JBL Stage A120P does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | JBL Stage A120P goes deeper - 32Hz against 36Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 36Hz. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (250W vs 250W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| 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. |
| Warranty | A | Revel B1 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 | B | JBL Stage A120P costs less - $300 against $999, about 70% less. |
A Revel B1 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. 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 $999 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.