In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by JBL. JBL Studio 680 is a Floor-standing speaker whereas the Studio 6 Architectural 8IW is a In-wall speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL Studio 680 and JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | JBL Studio 680 | JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW |
|---|
| Brand | JBL
United States · founded 1946 | JBL
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" compression driver with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide | 1" Horn-Loaded |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" PolyPlas | 8" Polyplas |
|---|
| Frequency response | 38-40k Hz | 43-20kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 200 watts | 10-80 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 22.68kg / 49.9lbs | — |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 40-3/4" x 8-15/16" x 12-1/16"
1036.0 x 228.0 x 307.0mm | 12.5000" x 8.7500" x 3.6875"
318.0 x 223.0 x 94.0mm |
|---|
Studio 680 and Studio 6 Architectural 8IW are members of JBL's Studio series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
JBL Studio Series
History
What size room are the JBL Studio 680 and JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW 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 680 |
JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Average |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Good |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Studio 680 and Studio 6 Architectural 8IW are 2-way speakers.
JBL Studio 680JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW
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 680 |
JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 8-inch
|
Studio 680 features a 1" compression driver with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" PolyPlas Woofer. On the other hand, the Studio 6 Architectural 8IW features a 1" Horn-Loaded Tweeter and 1 x 8" Polyplas Woofer.
Frequency Response
Studio 680 has a frequency range of 38-40k Hz whereas Studio 6 Architectural 8IW has a frequency range of 43-20kHz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the Studio 680 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Studio 6 Architectural 8IW's min frequency of 43Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Studio 6 Architectural 8IW
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 680 and Studio 6 Architectural 8IW have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Studio 680 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Studio 6 Architectural 8IW's is at 93 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL Studio 680, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Studio 6 Architectural 8IW
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.
Studio 680 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Studio 6 Architectural 8IW has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 120 watts less than the Studio 680.
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.
JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Studio 680 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Studio 6 Architectural 8IW has a Spring post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
JBL Studio 680's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
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 680's and JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW's external dimensions. JBL Studio 680 has external dimensions of 1036.0 x 228.0 x 307.0mm (40-3/4-inch x 8-15/16-inch x 12-1/16-inch) whereas JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW has external dimensions of 318.0 x 223.0 x 94.0mm (12.5000-inch x 8.7500-inch x 3.6875-inch).
JBL Studio 680 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 5mm wider, 718mm taller and 213mm deeper than JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW.
What's in the Box of JBL Studio 680?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Studio 680:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Washers
- 4 Locking-collars
- 4 Foot pads
- 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Card
What's in the Box of JBL Studio 6 Architectural 8IW?
Here are the items that come with the Studio 6 Architectural 8IW:
- In-wall loudspeaker
- Grille
- Cut-Out Template
- Quick Start Guide