In this review, we will be comparing M126Be and A120, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Revel and JBL. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Revel M126Be and JBL A120 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Revel M126Be and JBL A120 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Revel M126Be and JBL A120 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 M126Be and A120 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Revel M126Be |
JBL A120 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
M126Be features a 1" beryllium Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" DCC Aluminum Woofer . On the other hand, the A120 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
M126Be has a frequency range of 54-44k Hz whereas A120 has a frequency range of 60-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 54Hz, the M126Be can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A120's min frequency of 60Hz.
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
High Frequency
Bookshelf 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
M126Be is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the A120 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 86 dBdB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
M126Be can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas A120 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the M126Be.
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
M126Be features 5-way post type posts and A120 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both M126Be and A120 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
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 Revel M126Be's and JBL A120's external dimensions. Revel M126Be has external dimensions of 388.0 x 212.0 x 262.0mm ( 15-1/4 x 8-5/16 x 10-5/16inch) whereas JBL A120 has external dimensions of 286.0 x 172.0 x 189.0mm ( 11-1/4 x 6-3/4 x 7-7/16inch) .
Revel M126Be is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 40mm wider, 102mm taller and 73mm deeper than JBL A120.
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 Revel M126Be is approximately 555.4cm2 / 86.1inch2 and base area of the JBL A120 is approximately 325.1cm2 / 50.4inch2. The M126Be requires 71% more surface area than the A120 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 Revel M126Be weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the JBL A120 weighs 3.82kg / 8.4lbs. This makes the M126Be 162% heavier than the A120.
Here is a comparison of how M126Be and A120's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Revel M126Be?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of M126Be:
Bookshelf loudspeakerGrilleFoam port plugOwners Manual
What's in the Box of JBL A120?
Here are the items that come with the A120:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Foam plugs4 Brackets8 Rubber feet8 Screws (M6 x 8mm)Owner-feets ManualWarranty Card
Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
54 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
44k Hz
vs
40k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
Height |
286mm
vs
388mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
325cm2 (172x189mm)
vs
555cm2 (212x262mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
250USD
vs
4400USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Revel PerformaBe M126Be |
JBL Stage A120 |
Brand |
Revel |
JBL |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
50-150 watts |
20-125 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
54-44k Hz |
60-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
4.5" |
Woofer Composition |
DCC Aluminum |
Polycellulose |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
388.0mm (15.3") |
286.0mm (11.3") |
Width |
212.0mm (8.3") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
Depth |
262.0mm (10.3") |
189.0mm (7.4") |
Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
3.82kg (8.4lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Wood/Lacquer |
MDF, Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Walnut,Black,White,Silver |
Black |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
Keyholes w/ bracket |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
26-28" |
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 |