In this review, we will be comparing 100 IW LCR5 and Stage 250WL, two Passive In-wall speakers from Focal and JBL.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal 100 IW LCR5 and JBL Stage 250WL first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal 100 IW LCR5 | JBL Stage 250WL |
|---|
| Brand | Focal
France · founded 1979 | JBL
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Inverted Hard-Dome | 1" Horn-Loaded |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.125" Polyglass | 2 x 5.25" Polycellulose |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-23kHz | 52-25kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90.5 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-120 watts | 20-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 1.77kg / 3.9lbs | 3.49kg / 7.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 16.3130" x 5.8130" x 3.2500"
415.0 x 148.0 x 83.0mm | 18.1250" x 6.3750" x 3.8125"
461.0 x 162.0 x 97.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Focal 100 IW LCR5 and JBL Stage 250WL speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Focal 100 IW LCR5 |
JBL Stage 250WL |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both 100 IW LCR5 and Stage 250WL are 2-way speakers.
Focal 100 IW LCR5JBL Stage 250WL
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Focal 100 IW LCR5 |
JBL Stage 250WL |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.125-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
100 IW LCR5 features a 1" Inverted Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.125" Polyglass Woofer. On the other hand, the Stage 250WL features a 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Polycellulose Woofer.
Frequency Response
100 IW LCR5 has a frequency range of 55-23kHz whereas Stage 250WL has a frequency range of 52-25kHz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the Stage 250WL can go slightly deeper then the 100 IW LCR5's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the In-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
In-wall Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
100 IW LCR5 and Stage 250WL have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 100 IW LCR5 sensitivity is rated at 90.5 dB and the Stage 250WL's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Focal 100 IW LCR5 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL Stage 250WL, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 120 watts RMS, though 100 IW LCR5 is rated 25-120 watts and Stage 250WL 20-120 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
100 IW LCR5 features Spring post type posts and Stage 250WL has a Spring post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Focal 100 IW LCR5's and JBL Stage 250WL's external dimensions. Focal 100 IW LCR5 has external dimensions of 415.0 x 148.0 x 83.0mm (16.3130-inch x 5.8130-inch x 3.2500-inch) whereas JBL Stage 250WL has external dimensions of 461.0 x 162.0 x 97.0mm (18.1250-inch x 6.3750-inch x 3.8125-inch).
JBL Stage 250WL is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 14mm wider, 46mm taller and 14mm deeper than Focal 100 IW LCR5.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Focal 100 IW LCR5 weighs 1.77kg / 3.9lbs and the JBL Stage 250WL weighs 3.49kg / 7.7lbs. This makes the Stage 250WL 97% heavier than the 100 IW LCR5.
Here is a comparison of how 100 IW LCR5 and Stage 250WL's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
What's in the Box of Focal 100 IW LCR5?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 100 IW LCR5:
- One in-wall speaker
- 1 metal-mesh grill (white)
- Cut-out template
- User manual
What's in the Box of JBL Stage 250WL?
Here are the items that come with the Stage 250WL:
- In-wall loudspeaker
- Grille
- Cut-Out Template
- Quick Start Guide
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
415mm
vs
461mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
122cm2
vs
157cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5.125 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
500USD
vs
598USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Focal 100 IW LCR5 |
JBL Stage 250WL |
| Brand |
Focal |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
Passive In-wall Speaker |
| Power Range |
25-120 watts |
20-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90.5 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-23kHz |
52-25kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.125" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polyglass |
Polycellulose |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Inverted Hard-Dome |
Horn-Loaded |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
415.0mm (16.3") |
461.0mm (18.1") |
| Width |
148.0mm (5.8") |
162.0mm (6.4") |
| Depth |
83.0mm (3.3") |
97.0mm (3.8") |
| Weight |
1.77kg (3.9lbs) |
3.49kg (7.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
In-wall |
In-wall |
| Moisture Resistancy |
Yes |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: JBL Stage 250WL is the newer design, against a 2019 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | JBL Stage 250WL digs deeper - 52Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (91dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (120W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | Focal 100 IW LCR5 is easier to place; JBL Stage 250WL is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. JBL Stage 250WL sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | JBL Stage 250WL is cheaper - $500 against $598, about 16% less. |
A Focal 100 IW LCR5 B JBL Stage 250WL
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 speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
JBL Stage 250WL has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. In a large or open-plan room, JBL Stage 250WL has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Focal 100 IW LCR5 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.