In this review, we will be comparing A120 and L200, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from JBL and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL A120 and Polk L200 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the JBL A120 and Polk L200 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the JBL A120 and Polk L200 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 A120 and L200 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
JBL A120 |
Polk L200 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
A120 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer . On the other hand, the L200 features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz.
Frequency Response
A120 has a frequency range of 60-40k Hz whereas L200 has a frequency range of 46-38k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the L200 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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf 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
A120 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the L200 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the L200 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. A120 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the L200's is rated at 85.5 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
A120 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas A120 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS , 75 watts less than the L200.
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
L200 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. A120 has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both A120 and L200 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 A120's and Polk L200's external dimensions. 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) whereas Polk L200 has external dimensions of 399.0 x 213.0 x 339.0mm ( 15-11/16 x 8-3/8 x 13-5/16inch) .
Polk L200 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 41mm wider, 113mm taller and 150mm deeper than JBL A120.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of JBL A120 and Polk L200 in scale.
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 A120 is approximately 325.1cm2 / 50.4inch2 and base area of the Polk L200 is approximately 722.1cm2 / 111.9inch2. The A120 requires 55% less surface area than the L200 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The JBL A120 weighs 3.82kg / 8.4lbs and the Polk L200 weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the L200 162% heavier than the A120.
Here is a comparison of how A120 and L200's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of JBL A120?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of A120:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Foam plugs4 Brackets8 Rubber feet8 Screws (M6 x 8mm)Owner-feets ManualWarranty Card
What's in the Box of Polk L200?
Here are the items that come with the L200:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles Cleaning cloth Owners Manual Online Registration
Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
38k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
Height |
286mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
325cm2 (172x189mm)
vs
722cm2 (213x339mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
250USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
General |
JBL Stage A120 |
Polk Audio Legend L200 |
Brand |
JBL |
Polk Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-125 watts |
30-200 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
85.5 dB |
Impedance |
6 ohms |
4 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
3 ohms |
Frequency Response |
60-40k Hz |
46-38k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
4.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Polycellulose |
Polypropylene |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Ring Radiator |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2600Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
286.0mm (11.3") |
399.0mm (15.7") |
Width |
172.0mm (6.8") |
213.0mm (8.4") |
Depth |
189.0mm (7.4") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
Weight |
3.82kg (8.4lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF, Vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Available Colors |
Black |
Brown Walnut, Black Ash |
Mounting Bracket |
Keyholes w/ bracket |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
22-26" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |