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JBL Stage 250WL vs JBL A130 Comparison

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JBL Stage 250WL

Passive In-wall | 52-25kHz

JBL Stage 250WL
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JBL A130

Passive Bookshelf | 55-40k Hz

JBL Stage A130
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JBL Stage 250WL JBL Stage 250WL
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JBL A130 JBL A130
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JBL Stage 250WL
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JBL A130
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JBL Stage 250WL vs JBL A130 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by JBL. JBL Stage 250WL is a In-wall speaker whereas the A130 is a Bookshelf speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of JBL Stage 250WL and JBL A130 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

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 )

JBL A130 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 5.25" Polycellulose Woofer
  • 55-40k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:20-125watts
  • Weight:5.46kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 323.0" x 7-1/2" x 9-13/16"( 323.0 x 191.0 x 250.0mm )

Stage 250WL and A130 are members of JBL's Stage series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

JBL Stage Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
JBL A130
Bookshelf 55-40k Hz 86 dB6Ω 1 x 5.25"
JBL A120
  
Bookshelf 60-40k Hz 86 dB6Ω 1 x 4.5"
JBL Stage A190
  
Floor-standing 36-40k Hz 91 dB6Ω 2 x 8"
JBL Stage A180
  
Floor-standing 40-40k Hz 90 dB6Ω 2 x 6.5"
JBL Stage A135C
  
Center Channel 75-40k Hz 90 dB6Ω 6 x 3"
JBL Stage A170
  
Floor-standing 44-40k Hz 89 dB6Ω 2 x 5.25"
JBL Stage A125C
  
Center Channel 75-40k Hz 88 dB6Ω 2 x 5.24"
JBL Stage 280W
  
In-wall 42-25kHz 90 dB8Ω 1 x 8"
JBL Stage 260W
  
In-wall 50-25kHz 87 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
JBL Stage 250WL
In-wall 52-25kHz 90 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"

What size room are the JBL Stage 250WL and JBL A130 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 250WL JBL A130
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 JBL Stage 250WL and JBL A130 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 250WL and A130 are 2-way speakers.

Driver JBL Stage 250WL JBL A130
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 5.25-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

Stage 250WL features a 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Polycellulose Woofer . On the other hand, the A130 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polycellulose Woofer .

Frequency Response

Stage 250WL has a frequency range of 52-25kHz whereas A130 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the Stage 250WL can go slightly deeper then the A130'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

Stage 250WL
A130
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

In-wall Speakers

JBL Stage 250WL
JBL A130
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 250WL is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the A130 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Stage 250WL sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the A130's is rated at 86 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the JBL Stage 250WL a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL A130, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

In-wall Speakers

Stage 250WL
A130
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 250WL can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Stage 250WL has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 5 watts less than the A130.

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 250WL features 5-way post type posts and A130 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

JBL A1305-way post Terminals
JBL A130's 5-way post terminals

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 250WL's and JBL A130's external dimensions. 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) whereas JBL A130 has external dimensions of 323.0 x 191.0 x 250.0mm ( 12-11/16 x 7-1/2 x 9-13/16inch) .

JBL Stage 250WL is 29mm narrower and 153mm less deeper than JBL A130 but it is also 138mm taller.

What's in the Box of JBL Stage 250WL?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Stage 250WL:
  • In-wall loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • Cut-Out Template
  • Quick Start Guide
  • What's in the Box of JBL A130?

    Here are the items that come with the A130:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 8 Rubber feet
  • Owners Manual
  • Warranty Card

  • Reasons to choose JBL Stage 250WL over JBL Stage A130
    Sensitivity 90 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 6 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
    Low Frequency Response 52 Hz vs 55 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Base Surface Area 157cm2 vs 477cm2 Takes less floor space

    Reasons to choose JBL Stage A130 over JBL Stage 250WL

    Max Input Power 125 watts vs 120 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    High Frequency Response 40k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 323mm vs 461mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Price per pair* 300USD vs 500USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    JBL Stage 250WL vs JBL A130 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General JBL Stage 250WL JBL Stage A130
    Brand JBL JBL
    Speaker Type Passive In-wall Speaker Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 20-120 watts 20-125 watts
    Sensitivity 90 dB 86 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 6 ohms
    Frequency Response 52-25kHz 55-40k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 1
    Woofer Size 5.25" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition Polycellulose Polycellulose
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Horn-Loaded Hard-Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver N/A" No
    Firing Direction n/a rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 461.0mm (18.1") 323.0mm (12.7")
    Width 162.0mm (6.4") 191.0mm (7.5")
    Depth 97.0mm (3.8") 250.0mm (9.8")
    Weight n/a 5.46kg (12lbs)
    Enclosure In-wall Bass Reflex
    Finish n/a MDF, Vinyl
    Available Colors n/a Black
    Mounting Bracket No
    Recommended Stand Height n/a 24-26"
    Grille n/a Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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