In this review, we will be comparing Studio 620 and A130, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by JBL.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL Studio 620 and JBL A130 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | JBL Studio 620 | JBL A130 |
|---|
| Brand | JBL
United States · founded 1946 | JBL
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" High Frequency Compression | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" PolyPlas | 5.25" Polycellulose |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-40k Hz | 55-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 84 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | 20-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.88kg / 15.1lbs | 5.46kg / 12lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.3" x 7-1/2" x 9-1/2"
312.0 x 190.0 x 240.0mm | 12-11/16" x 7-1/2" x 9-13/16"
323.0 x 191.0 x 250.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the JBL Studio 620 and JBL A130 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 Studio 620 |
JBL A130 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Studio 620 and A130 are 2-way speakers.
JBL Studio 620JBL A130
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
JBL Studio 620 |
JBL A130 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Studio 620 features a 1" High Frequency Compression Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" PolyPlas Woofer. On the other hand, the A130 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polycellulose Woofer.
Frequency Response
Studio 620 has a frequency range of 50-40k Hz whereas A130 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Studio 620 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A130's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Studio 620 and A130 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Studio 620 sensitivity is rated at 84 dB and the A130's is at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the JBL A130 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL Studio 620, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
A130 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS, whereas Studio 620 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the A130.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Studio 620 features 5-way post type posts and A130 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
JBL A130's 5-way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Studio 620 and A130 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
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 Studio 620's and JBL A130's external dimensions. JBL Studio 620 has external dimensions of 312.0 x 190.0 x 240.0mm (12.3 x 7-1/2inch x 9-1/2inch) whereas 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).
JBL A130 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 1mm wider, 11mm taller and 10mm deeper than JBL Studio 620.
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 Studio 620 is approximately 456.0cm2 / 70.7inch2 and base area of the JBL A130 is approximately 477.5cm2 / 74.0inch2. The Studio 620 requires 5% less surface area than the A130 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 Studio 620 weighs 6.88kg / 15.1lbs and the JBL A130 weighs 5.46kg / 12lbs. This makes the Studio 620 26% heavier than the A130.
Here is a comparison of how Studio 620 and A130'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 Studio 620?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Studio 620:
- 2 x JBL Studio 630 Bookshelf Loudspeaker
- 1 x Owner’s Manual
- 1 x Warranty Card
- 8 x Feet Pads
What's in the Box of JBL A130?
Here are the items that come with the A130:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Card
 Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
312mm
vs
323mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
456cm2
vs
477cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
JBL Studio 620 |
JBL Stage A130 |
| Brand |
JBL |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
84 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-40k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
PolyPlas |
Polycellulose |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
High Frequency Compression |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
312.0mm (12.3") |
323.0mm (12.7") |
| Width |
190.0mm (7.5") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
240.0mm (9.4") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
| Weight |
6.88kg (15.1lbs) |
5.46kg (12lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF, Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Wood, Dark Wood |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| 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 |
These sit in different price classes - JBL Studio 620 costs roughly 2x what JBL A130 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | JBL Studio 620 digs deeper - 50Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | JBL A130 is more sensitive (86dB vs 84dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | JBL A130 takes more power (125W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. JBL Studio 620 sits in a wider range (15 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | JBL A130 is cheaper - $300 against $600, about 50% less; arguably a different class. |
A JBL Studio 620 B JBL A130
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
JBL A130 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper JBL A130 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate JBL Studio 620 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and JBL A130 for a mid-size room and a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.