In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by JBL. JBL Stage A135C is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Stage 260W is a In-wall speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL Stage A135C and JBL Stage 260W first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
JBL Stage A135C Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" dome with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide technology Tweeter
- 6 x 3" polycellulose Woofer
- 75-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:20-150watts
- Weight:7.46kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 105.0" x 29-3/8" x 7-5/16"( 105.0 x 747.0 x 186.0mm )
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 )
A135C and Stage 260W 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 A135C 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 Stage A135C |
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 Stage A135C 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.
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Drivers
Both A135C and Stage 260W are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
JBL Stage A135C |
JBL Stage 260W |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
6 x 3-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
A135C features a 1" aluminum dome with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide technology Tweeter and 6 x 3" polycellulose Woofer . On the other hand, the Stage 260W features a 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
A135C has a frequency range of 75-40k 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 A135C'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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel 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
A135C 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. A135C sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Stage 260W's is rated at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the JBL Stage A135C a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL Stage 260W, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
A135C can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Stage 260W has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the A135C.
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
A135C features Spring clip type posts and Stage 260W has a Spring clip type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 A135C's and JBL Stage 260W's external dimensions. JBL Stage A135C has external dimensions of 105.0 x 747.0 x 186.0mm ( 4-1/8 x 29-3/8 x 7-5/16inch) 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 Stage 260W is 562mm narrower and 95mm less deeper than JBL Stage A135C but it is also 207mm taller.
What's in the Box of JBL Stage A135C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of A135C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille4 Leveling feet4 Rubber feetOwners ManualWarranty Card
What's in the Box of JBL Stage 260W?
Here are the items that come with the Stage 260W:
In-wall loudspeakerGrilleCut-Out TemplateQuick Start Guide
Max Input Power 
Sensitivity 
Number of Woofers 
High Frequency Response 
Height 
Nominal Impedance 
Base Surface Area