In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by JBL. JBL Stage 240B is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Stage 260F is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL Stage 240B and JBL Stage 260F first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Stage 240B and Stage 260F are members of JBL's Stage 2 series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
JBL Stage 2 Series History
What size room are the JBL Stage 240B and JBL Stage 260F 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the JBL Stage 240B and JBL Stage 260F compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Stage 240B is a 2-way design whereas the Stage 260F is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
JBL Stage 240B |
JBL Stage 260F |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Stage 240B features a 1" Hard-dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer . On the other hand, the Stage 260F features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
Stage 240B has a frequency range of 65-25k Hz whereas Stage 260F has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Stage 260F can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Stage 240B's min frequency of 65Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
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
Stage 240B and Stage 260F have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Stage 240B sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Stage 260F's is at 90 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the JBL Stage 260F a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL Stage 240B, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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.
Stage 240B can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Stage 240B has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS , 150 watts less than the Stage 260F.
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
Stage 240B features 5-Way post type posts and Stage 260F has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Stage 240B and Stage 260F have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 JBL Stage 240B's and JBL Stage 260F's external dimensions. JBL Stage 240B has external dimensions of 274.0 x 177.0 x 216.0mm ( 10-3/4inch x 6-15/16inch x 8-1/2inch ) whereas JBL Stage 260F has external dimensions of 1037.0 x 312.0 x 364.0mm ( 40-13/16inch x 12-1/4inch x 14-5/16inch ) .
JBL Stage 260F is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 135mm wider, 763mm taller and 148mm deeper than JBL Stage 240B.
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 240B is approximately 382.3cm2 / 59.3inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage 260F is approximately 1135.7cm2 / 176.0inch2. The Stage 240B requires 66% less surface area than the Stage 260F which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of JBL Stage 240B?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Stage 240B:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 2 Foam plugs 2 Wall-brackets 4 Mounting screws 8 Self-adhesive rubber pads Quick Start Guide Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of JBL Stage 260F?
Here are the items that come with the Stage 260F:
Floorstanding loudspeaker Grille Plinth 4 Spikes 4 Screws Hex-key Quick Start Guide Important Safety Instructions