SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    • Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    • Passive Center Channel Speakers
    • Passive In-wall Speakers
    • All Passive Speakers
    • Powered Subwoofers
    • Powered Stereo Speakers
  • AMPLIFIERS
  • SMART FIND

JBL Stage 245C vs JBL Stage 260W Comparison

x
Speaker to replace
Change

JBL Stage 245C

Passive Center Channel | 82-25k Hz

JBL Stage 245C
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
JBL Stage 260W

Passive In-wall | 50-25kHz

JBL Stage 260W
CHECK PRICE
JBL Stage 245C JBL Stage 245C
See at AMAZON
JBL Stage 260W JBL Stage 260W
See at AMAZON
JBL Stage 245C
See at AMAZON
JBL Stage 260W
See at AMAZON
JBL Stage 245C vs JBL Stage 260W Speaker Comparison

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 260W is a In-wall speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of JBL Stage 245C and JBL Stage 260W 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 260W Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter
  • 6.5" Polycellulose Woofer
  • 50-25kHz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-100watts
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 312.0" x 7.2500" x 3.5625"( 312.0 x 185.0 x 91.0mm )

What size room are the JBL Stage 245C and JBL Stage 260W 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 260W
Near-field Poor Average
Small Room Average Good
Mid-size Room Good Average
Large Room Average Poor
Very Large Room Poor Bad

(* 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 260W 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 Stage 245C and Stage 260W are 2-way speakers.

Driver JBL Stage 245C JBL Stage 260W
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 4 x 4.5-inch 1 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 260W features a 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polycellulose Woofer .

Frequency Response

Stage 245C has a frequency range of 82-25k Hz whereas Stage 260W has a frequency range of 50-25kHz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Stage 260W 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

Stage 245C
Stage 260W
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

JBL Stage 245C
JBL Stage 260W
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

Stage 245C is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Stage 260W which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Stage 245C sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Stage 260W's is rated at 87 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the JBL Stage 245C a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL Stage 260W, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Stage 245C
Stage 260W
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.

Stage 245C can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Stage 260W has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Stage 245C.

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 Spring clip type posts and Stage 260W has a Spring clip 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 JBL Stage 245C's and JBL Stage 260W'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 260W has external dimensions of 312.0 x 185.0 x 91.0mm ( 12.2500-inch x 7.2500-inch x 3.5625-inch) .

JBL Stage 260W is 555mm narrower and 125mm less deeper than JBL Stage 245C but it is also 156mm taller.

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 260W?

    Here are the items that come with the Stage 260W:
  • In-wall loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • Cut-Out Template
  • Quick Start Guide

  • Reasons to choose JBL Stage 245C over JBL Stage 260W
    Max Input Power 150 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 91 dB vs 87 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Number of Woofers 4 vs 1 More woofers
    Height 156mm vs 312mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

    Reasons to choose JBL Stage 260W over JBL Stage 245C

    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 6 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 4.5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 50 Hz vs 82 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Base Surface Area 168cm2 vs 1598cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 300USD vs 399USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    JBL Stage 245C vs JBL Stage 260W Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General JBL Stage 245C JBL Stage 260W
    Brand JBL JBL
    Speaker Type Center channel speaker Passive In-wall Speaker
    Power Range 20-150 watts 20-100 watts
    Sensitivity 91 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 6 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 82-25k Hz 50-25kHz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 4 1
    Woofer Size 4.5" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition Polycellulose Polycellulose
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Horn-Loaded
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver N/A" N/A"
    Firing Direction rear n/a
    Physical Specs
    Height 156.0mm (6.1") 312.0mm (12.3")
    Width 740.0mm (29.1") 185.0mm (7.3")
    Depth 216.0mm (8.5") 91.0mm (3.6")
    Weight 12.00kg (26.4lbs) n/a
    Enclosure Bass Reflex In-wall
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl n/a
    Available Colors Espresso,Latte n/a
    Grille Yes n/a
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 years 5 Years

    Most Popular Speakers
    Klipsch Reference R-51M
    Klipsch R-51M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    3-way | 89 dB | 4 ohms
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    2-way | 87 dB | 6 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
    B&W 606 S2
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    KEF Q150
    KEF Q150
    2-way | 86 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Klipsch RP-500M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    2-way | 87 dB | 8 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606
    B&W 606
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    Copyright © 2025 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

    Report a Correction