In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by JBL. JBL Stage 280W is a In-wall speaker whereas the A125C is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL Stage 280W and JBL Stage A125C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
JBL Stage 280W Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter
- 8" Polycellulose Woofer
- 42-25kHz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-120watts
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 374.0" x 9.3750" x 3.8750"( 374.0 x 239.0 x 99.0mm )
JBL Stage A125C Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" dome with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide technology Tweeter
- 2 x 5.24" polycellulose Woofer
- 75-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:20-150watts
- Weight:7.97kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 191.0" x 18-1/2" x 9-1/2"( 191.0 x 470.0 x 242.0mm )
Stage 280W and A125C are members of JBL's Stage series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
What size room are the JBL Stage 280W and JBL Stage A125C 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 280W |
JBL Stage A125C |
| 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 280W and JBL Stage A125C 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
Both Stage 280W and A125C are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
JBL Stage 280W |
JBL Stage A125C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
2 x 5.24-inch
|
Stage 280W features a 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter and 1 x 8" Polycellulose Woofer . On the other hand, the A125C features a 1" aluminum dome with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide technology Tweeter and 2 x 5.24" polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
Stage 280W has a frequency range of 42-25kHz whereas A125C has a frequency range of 75-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Stage 280W can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A125C's min frequency of 75Hz.
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
High Frequency
In-wall 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 280W is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the A125C which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Stage 280W sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the A125C's is rated at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the JBL Stage 280W a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL Stage A125C, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall 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 280W can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Stage 280W has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 30 watts less than the A125C.
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 280W features 5-Way post type posts and A125C has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
JBL Stage A125C'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 280W's and JBL Stage A125C's external dimensions. JBL Stage 280W has external dimensions of 374.0 x 239.0 x 99.0mm ( 14.6875-inch x 9.3750-inch x 3.8750-inch) whereas JBL Stage A125C has external dimensions of 191.0 x 470.0 x 242.0mm ( 7-1/2 x 18-1/2 x 9-1/2inch) .
JBL Stage 280W is 231mm narrower and 143mm less deeper than JBL Stage A125C but it is also 183mm taller.
What's in the Box of JBL Stage 280W?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Stage 280W:
In-wall loudspeakerGrilleCut-Out TemplateQuick Start Guide
What's in the Box of JBL Stage A125C?
Here are the items that come with the A125C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille4 Leveling feet4 Rubber feetOwners ManualWarranty Card
Sensitivity 
Nominal Impedance 
Woofer Size 
Base Surface Area 
Max Input Power 
High Frequency Response 
Height 
Price per pair*