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JBL A130 vs JBL Stage 260W Comparison

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JBL A130

Passive Bookshelf | 55-40k Hz

JBL Stage A130
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JBL Stage 260W

Passive In-wall | 50-25kHz

JBL Stage 260W
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JBL A130 JBL A130
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JBL Stage 260W JBL Stage 260W
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JBL A130
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JBL Stage 260W
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JBL A130 vs JBL Stage 260W Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by JBL. JBL Stage A130 is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Stage 260W is a In-wall speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of JBL A130 and JBL Stage 260W first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

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 )

JBL Stage 260W Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter
  • 6.5" Polycellulose Woofer
  • 50-25kHz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-100watts
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 312.0" x 7.2500" x 3.5625"( 312.0 x 185.0 x 91.0mm )

A130 and Stage 260W 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 A130 and JBL Stage 260W 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 A130 JBL Stage 260W
Near-field Poor Average
Small Room Average Good
Mid-size Room Good Average
Large Room Average Poor
Very Large Room Poor Bad

(* 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 A130 and JBL Stage 260W 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 A130 and Stage 260W are 2-way speakers.

Driver JBL A130 JBL Stage 260W
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5.25-inch 1 x 6.5-inch

A130 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polycellulose Woofer . On the other hand, the Stage 260W features a 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polycellulose Woofer .

Frequency Response

A130 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz whereas Stage 260W has a frequency range of 50-25kHz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Stage 260W can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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 Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

A130
Stage 260W
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

JBL A130
JBL Stage 260W
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

A130 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Stage 260W which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. A130 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Stage 260W's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the JBL Stage 260W a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL A130, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

A130
Stage 260W
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.

A130 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Stage 260W has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 25 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

A130 features Spring clip type posts and Stage 260W has a Spring clip type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

JBL A130 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 A130's and JBL Stage 260W's external dimensions. 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) whereas JBL Stage 260W has external dimensions of 312.0 x 185.0 x 91.0mm ( 12.2500-inch x 7.2500-inch x 3.5625-inch) .

JBL A130 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 6mm wider, 11mm taller and 159mm deeper than JBL Stage 260W.

What's in the Box of JBL A130?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of A130:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 8 Rubber feet
  • Owners Manual
  • Warranty Card
  • What's in the Box of JBL Stage 260W?

    Here are the items that come with the Stage 260W:
  • In-wall loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • Cut-Out Template
  • Quick Start Guide

  • Reasons to choose JBL Stage A130 over JBL Stage 260W
    Max Input Power 125 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    High Frequency Response 40k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency

    Reasons to choose JBL Stage 260W over JBL Stage A130

    Sensitivity 87 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 6.5 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 50 Hz vs 55 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Height 312mm vs 323mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 168cm2 vs 477cm2 Takes less floor space
    JBL A130 vs JBL Stage 260W Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General JBL Stage A130 JBL Stage 260W
    Brand JBL JBL
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Passive In-wall Speaker
    Power Range 20-125 watts 20-100 watts
    Sensitivity 86 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 6 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 55-40k Hz 50-25kHz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5.25" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition Polycellulose Polycellulose
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Horn-Loaded
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No N/A"
    Firing Direction rear n/a
    Physical Specs
    Height 323.0mm (12.7") 312.0mm (12.3")
    Width 191.0mm (7.5") 185.0mm (7.3")
    Depth 250.0mm (9.8") 91.0mm (3.6")
    Weight 5.46kg (12lbs) n/a
    Enclosure Bass Reflex In-wall
    Finish MDF, Vinyl n/a
    Available Colors Black n/a
    Mounting Bracket No
    Recommended Stand Height 24-26" n/a
    Grille Yes n/a
    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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