In this review, we will be comparing Studio 698 and Studio 680, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by JBL.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL Studio 698 and JBL Studio 680 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | JBL Studio 698 | JBL Studio 680 |
|---|
| Brand | JBL
United States · founded 1946 | JBL
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Compression Horn | 1" compression driver with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide |
|---|
| Midrange | 6" | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 8" | 2 x 6.5" PolyPlas |
|---|
| Frequency response | 36-40k Hz | 38-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 35.83kg / 78.8lbs | 22.68kg / 49.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 43-1/4" x 11-3/4" x 16-1/16"
1098.6 x 298.5 x 408.0mm | 40-3/4" x 8-15/16" x 12-1/16"
1036.0 x 228.0 x 307.0mm |
|---|
Studio 698 and Studio 680 are members of JBL's Studio series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
JBL Studio Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Studio 698 is a 3-way design whereas the Studio 680 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
JBL Studio 698JBL Studio 680
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
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 698 |
JBL Studio 680 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 8-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Studio 698 features a 1" Compression Horn Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 8" Woofer. On the other hand, the Studio 680 features a 1" compression driver with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" PolyPlas Woofer.
Frequency Response
Studio 698 has a frequency range of 36-40k Hz whereas Studio 680 has a frequency range of 38-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 36Hz, the Studio 698 can go slightly deeper then the Studio 680's min frequency of 38Hz.
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
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 698 and Studio 680 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Studio 698 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Studio 680's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the JBL Studio 698 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL Studio 680, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
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 680 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Studio 698 has a 5-Way 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 698's and JBL Studio 680's external dimensions. JBL Studio 698 has external dimensions of 1098.6 x 298.5 x 408.0mm () whereas 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).
JBL Studio 698 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 70.5mm wider, 62.6mm taller and 101mm deeper than JBL Studio 680.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
JBL Studio 698 needs about 74% more floor or shelf area. JBL Studio 698 is 101mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. JBL Studio 698 is 63mm 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 Studio 698 is approximately 1217.9cm2 / 188.8inch2 and base area of the JBL Studio 680 is approximately 700.0cm2 / 108.5inch2. The Studio 698 requires 74% more surface area than the Studio 680 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 698 weighs 35.83kg / 78.8lbs and the JBL Studio 680 weighs 22.68kg / 49.9lbs. This makes the Studio 698 58% heavier than the Studio 680.
Here is a comparison of how Studio 698 and Studio 680's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of JBL Studio 680?
Here are the items that come with the 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
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
36 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1036mm
vs
1098mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
700cm2
vs
1217cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
JBL Studio 698 |
JBL Studio 680 |
| Brand |
JBL |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
36-40k Hz |
38-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
PolyPlas |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Compression Horn |
compression driver with HDI (High Definition Imaging) waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6" |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1098.6mm (43.3") |
1036.0mm (40.8") |
| Width |
298.5mm (11.8") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Depth |
408.0mm (16.1") |
307.0mm (12.1") |
| Weight |
35.83kg (78.8lbs) |
22.68kg (49.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Espresso |
Wood, Dark Wood |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in JBL's Studio series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (36Hz vs 38Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | JBL Studio 698 is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | JBL Studio 680 is easier to place; JBL Studio 698 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | JBL Studio 680: bi-amping. |
A JBL Studio 698 B JBL Studio 680
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. In a large or open-plan room, JBL Studio 698 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, JBL Studio 680 is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, JBL Studio 698 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.