In this review, we will be comparing Performa4 B140 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 Performa4 B140 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 Revel Performa4 B140and JBL Stage A120P have a single woofer setup however the Revel Performa4 B140's woofer is 10-inch whereas the JBL Stage A120P features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Performa4 B140 has a frequency range of 26-150 Hz whereas A120P has a frequency range of 32-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 26Hz, the Performa4 B140 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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
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 Performa4 B140's and JBL Stage A120P's external dimensions. Revel Performa4 B140 has external dimensions of 376.2 x 430.2 x 438.2mm () 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).
Revel Performa4 B140 is 38.8mm shorter and 36.8mm less deeper than JBL Stage A120P but it is also 37.2mm wider.
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.
Near-identical footprints. JBL Stage A120P is 37mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. JBL Stage A120P is 39mm taller.
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 Performa4 B140 is approximately 1885.1cm2 / 292.2inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage A120P is approximately 1866.8cm2 / 289.4inch2. The Performa4 B140 requires 1% more surface area than the A120P which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Performa4 B140 weighs 27.81kg / 61.2lbs and the JBL Stage A120P weighs 18.68kg / 41.1lbs. This makes the Performa4 B140 49% heavier than the A120P.
Here is a comparison of how Performa4 B140 and A120P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
26 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
376mm
vs
415mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
1866cm2
vs
1885cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
3000USD
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. JBL Stage A120P stands 37mm further into the room. JBL Stage A120P is 39mm taller.
| General |
Revel Performa4 B140 |
JBL Stage A120P |
| Brand |
Revel |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
26-150 Hz |
32-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
750-watt RMS |
250-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1500-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polycellulose |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
376.2mm (14.8") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
430.2mm (16.9") |
393.0mm (15.5") |
| Depth |
438.2mm (17.3") |
475.0mm (18.7") |
| Weight |
27.81kg (61.2lbs) |
18.68kg (41.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
1 Year |
Different price classes - Revel Performa4 B140 costs roughly 10x what JBL Stage A120P does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Revel Performa4 B140 goes deeper - 26Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Revel Performa4 B140 has the bigger amplifier - 750W against 250W RMS, about 4.8dB 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. |
| Warranty | A | Revel Performa4 B140 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 $3,000, about 90% less. |
A Revel Performa4 B140 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?
The usual trade-off: Revel Performa4 B140 measures better, JBL Stage A120P costs about 90% 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 $3,000 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.