In this review, we will be comparing Crystal 4.2 and A120, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and JBL. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 and JBL A120 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 and JBL A120 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Crystal 4.2 and A120 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
JBL A120 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
Crystal 4.2 features a 1" Soft-dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer . On the other hand, the A120 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
Crystal 4.2 has a frequency range of 60-20k Hz whereas A120 has a frequency range of 60-40k Hz.
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
Crystal 4.2 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the A120 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Crystal 4.2 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the A120's is rated at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL A120, 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. 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.
Crystal 4.2 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Crystal 4.2 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the A120.
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
Crystal 4.2 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 Crystal 4.2 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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2's and JBL A120's external dimensions. Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 has external dimensions of 266.0 x 181.0 x 220.0mm ( 10-7/16 x 7-1/8 x 8-5/8inch) 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) .
JBL A120 is 9mm narrower and 31mm less deeper than Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 but it is also 20mm 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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 is approximately 398.2cm2 / 61.7inch2 and base area of the JBL A120 is approximately 325.1cm2 / 50.4inch2. The Crystal 4.2 requires 22% 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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 weighs 4.20kg / 9.2lbs and the JBL A120 weighs 3.82kg / 8.4lbs. This makes the Crystal 4.2 10% heavier than the A120.
Here is a comparison of how Crystal 4.2 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 Wharfedale Crystal 4.2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Crystal 4.2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles (pre-installed)User-feets ManualInstallation Guide
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
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Height |
266mm
vs
286mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
Base Surface Area |
325cm2 (172x189mm)
vs
398cm2 (181x220mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Wharfedale Crystal 4.2 |
JBL Stage A120 |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
JBL |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-100 watts |
20-125 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
60-20k Hz |
60-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
4.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Polycellulose |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-dome |
Hard-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
266.0mm (10.5") |
286.0mm (11.3") |
Width |
181.0mm (7.1") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
Depth |
220.0mm (8.7") |
189.0mm (7.4") |
Weight |
4.20kg (9.2lbs) |
3.82kg (8.4lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF, Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Walnut |
Black |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
Keyholes w/ bracket |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
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 |