In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by JBL. JBL Stage 245C is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Stage 260F is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL Stage 245C and JBL Stage 260F first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
JBL Stage 245C Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 4 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer
- 82-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 91 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:20-150watts
- Weight:12.00kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 156.0" x 29-1/8" x 8-1/2"( 156.0 x 740.0 x 216.0mm )
JBL Stage 260F Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 2 x 6.5" Polycellulose Woofer
- 45-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:20-225watts
- Weight:19.55kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1037.0" x 12-1/4" x 14-5/16"( 1037.0 x 312.0 x 364.0mm )
Stage 245C 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 245C 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:
| Listening Environment* |
JBL Stage 245C |
JBL Stage 260F |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
(* 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 JBL Stage 245C 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 245C 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 245C |
JBL Stage 260F |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 4.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Stage 245C features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 4 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 245C has a frequency range of 82-25k 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 245C's min frequency of 82Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel 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 245C and Stage 260F have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Stage 245C sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Stage 260F's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the JBL Stage 245C a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL Stage 260F, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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 245C can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Stage 245C has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 75 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 245C 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 245C 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 245C's and JBL Stage 260F's external dimensions. JBL Stage 245C has external dimensions of 156.0 x 740.0 x 216.0mm ( 6-1/8 x 29-1/8 x 8-1/2 inch) 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 245C is 881mm shorter and 148mm less deeper than JBL Stage 260F but it is also 428mm wider.
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 245C is approximately 1598.4cm2 / 247.8inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage 260F is approximately 1135.7cm2 / 176.0inch2. The Stage 245C requires 41% more surface area than the Stage 260F which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of JBL Stage 245C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Stage 245C:
Center-channel loudspeaker Grille 6 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
Sensitivity 
Number of Woofers 
Height 
Price per pair* 
Max Input Power 
Driver Setup 
Dolby Atmos Drivers 
Base Surface Area