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Focal 100 IW LCR5 vs JBL Stage 250WL Comparison

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Focal 100 IW LCR5

Passive In-wall | 55-23kHz

Focal 100 IW LCR5
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JBL Stage 250WL

Passive In-wall | 52-25kHz

JBL Stage 250WL
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Focal 100 IW LCR5 Focal 100 IW LCR5
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JBL Stage 250WL JBL Stage 250WL
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Focal 100 IW LCR5
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JBL Stage 250WL
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Focal 100 IW LCR5 vs JBL Stage 250WL Speaker Comparison

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.

Focal 100 IW LCR5 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Inverted Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 5.125" Polyglass Woofer
  • 55-23kHz Frequency Response
  • 90.5 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-120watts
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 415.0" x 5.8130" x 3.2500"( 415.0 x 148.0 x 83.0mm )

JBL Stage 250WL Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter
  • 2 x 5.25" Polycellulose Woofer
  • 52-25kHz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-120watts
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 461.0" 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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Focal 100 IW LCR5 and JBL Stage 250WL compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both 100 IW LCR5 and Stage 250WL are 2-way speakers.

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.

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 In-wall class in our database.

Low Frequency

In-wall Speakers

100 IW LCR5
Stage 250WL
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

In-wall Speakers

Focal 100 IW LCR5
JBL Stage 250WL
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. 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

100 IW LCR5
Stage 250WL
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

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

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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.

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

  • Reasons to choose Focal 100 IW LCR5 over JBL Stage 250WL
    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

    Reasons to choose JBL Stage 250WL over Focal 100 IW LCR5

    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)
    Focal 100 IW LCR5 vs JBL Stage 250WL Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    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 N/A" N/A"
    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")
    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

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