In this review, we will be comparing A120 and Crystal 4.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from JBL and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL A120 and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the JBL A120 and Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 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 A120 and Crystal 4.2 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
JBL A120 |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
A120 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer . On the other hand, the Crystal 4.2 features a 1" Soft-dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
A120 has a frequency range of 60-40k Hz whereas Crystal 4.2 has a frequency range of 60-20k Hz.
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 Crystal 4.2 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. A120 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Crystal 4.2's is rated at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL A120, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Crystal 4.2 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the A120.
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
A120 features 5-way post type posts and Crystal 4.2 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both A120 and Crystal 4.2 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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2'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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 has external dimensions of 266.0 x 181.0 x 220.0mm ( 10-7/16 x 7-1/8 x 8-5/8inch) .
JBL A120 is 9mm narrower and 31mm less deeper than Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 but it is also 20mm taller.
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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 is approximately 398.2cm2 / 61.7inch2. The A120 requires 18% less surface area than the Crystal 4.2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 weighs 4.20kg / 9.2lbs. This makes the Crystal 4.2 10% heavier than the A120.
Here is a comparison of how A120 and Crystal 4.2'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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2?
Here are the items that come with the Crystal 4.2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles (pre-installed)User-feets ManualInstallation Guide
Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
Base Surface Area |
325cm2 (172x189mm)
vs
398cm2 (181x220mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Height |
266mm
vs
286mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
General |
JBL Stage A120 |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
Brand |
JBL |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-125 watts |
20-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
60-40k Hz |
60-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
Polycellulose |
Woven Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Soft-dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
286.0mm (11.3") |
266.0mm (10.5") |
Width |
172.0mm (6.8") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
Depth |
189.0mm (7.4") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
Weight |
3.82kg (8.4lbs) |
4.20kg (9.2lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
Finish |
MDF, Vinyl |
Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
Keyholes w/ bracket |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
24-28" |
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 |