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JBL Stage 280F vs JBL A120 Comparison

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JBL Stage 280F

Passive Floor-standing | 39-25k Hz

JBL Stage 280F
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JBL A120

Passive Bookshelf | 60-40k Hz

JBL Stage A120
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JBL Stage 280F JBL Stage 280F
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JBL A120 JBL A120
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JBL Stage 280F
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JBL A120
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JBL Stage 280F vs JBL A120 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by JBL. JBL Stage 280F is a Floor-standing speaker whereas the A120 is a Bookshelf speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of JBL Stage 280F and JBL A120 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

JBL Stage 280F Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 8" Polycellulose Woofer
  • 39-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 91 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:20-225watts
  • Weight:25.09kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1113.0" x 14-1/8" x 16-1/2"( 1113.0 x 359.0 x 420.0mm )

JBL A120 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer
  • 60-40k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:20-125watts
  • Weight:3.82kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 286.0" x 6-3/4" x 7-7/16"( 286.0 x 172.0 x 189.0mm )

What size room are the JBL Stage 280F and JBL A120 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 280F JBL A120
Near-field Bad Poor
Small Room Poor Average
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Good Average
Very Large Room Average 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 280F and JBL A120 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

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Stage 280F is a 3-way design whereas the A120 is a 2-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 280F JBL A120
Driver Setup 3-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 8-inch 1 x 4.5-inch

Stage 280F features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 8" Polycellulose Woofer . On the other hand, the A120 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer .

Frequency Response

Stage 280F has a frequency range of 39-25k Hz whereas A120 has a frequency range of 60-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 39Hz, the Stage 280F can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A120's min frequency of 60Hz.

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 Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

Stage 280F
A120
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

JBL Stage 280F
JBL A120
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 280F and A120 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Stage 280F sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the A120's is at 86 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the JBL Stage 280F a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL A120, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

Stage 280F
A120
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 280F can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS from the amp the whereas A120 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Stage 280F.

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 280F features 5-way post type posts and A120 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

JBL A1205-way post Terminals
JBL A120's 5-way post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Stage 280F and A120 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 280F's and JBL A120's external dimensions. JBL Stage 280F has external dimensions of 1113.0 x 359.0 x 420.0mm ( 43-13/16inch x 14-1/8inch x 16-1/2inch ) whereas JBL A120 has external dimensions of 286.0 x 172.0 x 189.0mm ( 11-1/4 x 6-3/4 x 7-7/16inch) .

JBL Stage 280F is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 187mm wider, 827mm taller and 231mm deeper than JBL A120.

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 280F is approximately 1507.8cm2 / 233.7inch2 and base area of the JBL A120 is approximately 325.1cm2 / 50.4inch2. The Stage 280F requires 364% more surface area than the A120 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of JBL Stage 280F?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Stage 280F:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker Grille Plinth 4 Spikes 4 Screws Hex-key Quick Start Guide Important Safety Instructions
  • What's in the Box of JBL A120?

    Here are the items that come with the A120:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 2 Foam plugs
  • 4 Brackets
  • 8 Rubber feet
  • 8 Screws (M6 x 8mm)
  • Owner-feets Manual
  • Warranty Card

  • Reasons to choose JBL Stage 280F over JBL Stage A120
    Max Input Power 225 watts vs 125 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Sensitivity 91 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 8 inches vs 4.5 inches Larger woofer
    Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
    Low Frequency Response 39 Hz vs 60 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Dolby Atmos Drivers Optional vs No Dolby Atmos Compatibility

    Reasons to choose JBL Stage A120 over JBL Stage 280F

    High Frequency Response 40k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 286mm vs 1113mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 325cm2 vs 1507cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 250USD vs 1199USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    JBL Stage 280F vs JBL A120 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General JBL Stage 280F JBL Stage A120
    Brand JBL JBL
    Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 20-225 watts 20-125 watts
    Sensitivity 91 dB 86 dB
    Impedance 6 ohms 6 ohms
    Frequency Response 39-25k Hz 60-40k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 1
    Woofer Size 8" 4.5"
    Woofer Composition Polycellulose Polycellulose
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Hard-Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver N/A" No
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 1113.0mm (43.8") 286.0mm (11.3")
    Width 359.0mm (14.1") 172.0mm (6.8")
    Depth 420.0mm (16.5") 189.0mm (7.4")
    Weight 25.09kg (55.2lbs) 3.82kg (8.4lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF, Vinyl
    Available Colors Espresso,Latte Black
    Mounting Bracket Keyholes w/ bracket
    Recommended Stand Height n/a 26-28"
    Grille Yes 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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