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JBL Studio 690 towers, 2.5-way with Compression Driver tweeter and dual 8” Woofers $499 each at IQ Home Entertainment via Amazon
$499
$825
39% off
Amazon
AmazonDeal Details
Get these before they're gone for good! Samsung now owns Harman International, which owns JBL and Revel and is doing some massive reorganizing by phasing out its mid-level product lines (the highest price-to-performance but probably lower-profit) speaker series, leaving only the basic entry level (JBL Stage series) and high-dollar professional (JBL Synthesis) series.
The 690 can stand alone in a 2.0 music system, or as part of a surround sound HT system. It will particularly excel at movies/TV due to the CD tweeter.
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Studio...0BJTQR
The 690 can stand alone in a 2.0 music system, or as part of a surround sound HT system. It will particularly excel at movies/TV due to the CD tweeter.
- Dual 8" PolyPlas Low-Frequency Woofer provides satisfying bass down to 36Hz = no subwoofer needed for music, and in a pinch (e.g. you live in an apartment with thin walls/floors) even for movies
- High Definition Imaging (HDI) Waveguide with 1" (25mm) High Frequency Compression Driver (not a metal dome tweeter as found in Klipsch) = this is the magic sauce!
- Sensitivity: 90dB @ 1M, 2.83V = very dynamic and easy to drive to high levels cleanly even by entry-level receivers, rather than needing an expensive external amplifier.
- Rear-ported bass-reflex enclosure
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Studio...0BJTQR
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About the Poster
Get these before they're gone for good! Samsung now owns Harman International, which owns JBL and Revel and is doing some massive reorganizing by phasing out its mid-level product lines (the highest price-to-performance but probably lower-profit) speaker series, leaving only the basic entry level (JBL Stage series) and high-dollar professional (JBL Synthesis) series.
The 690 can stand alone in a 2.0 music system, or as part of a surround sound HT system. It will particularly excel at movies/TV due to the CD tweeter.
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Studio...0BJTQR
The 690 can stand alone in a 2.0 music system, or as part of a surround sound HT system. It will particularly excel at movies/TV due to the CD tweeter.
- Dual 8" PolyPlas Low-Frequency Woofer provides satisfying bass down to 36Hz = no subwoofer needed for music, and in a pinch (e.g. you live in an apartment with thin walls/floors) even for movies
- High Definition Imaging (HDI) Waveguide with 1" (25mm) High Frequency Compression Driver (not a metal dome tweeter as found in Klipsch) = this is the magic sauce!
- Sensitivity: 90dB @ 1M, 2.83V = very dynamic and easy to drive to high levels cleanly even by entry-level receivers, rather than needing an expensive external amplifier.
- Rear-ported bass-reflex enclosure
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Studio...0BJTQR
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Community Reviews
JBL Studio 690 towers are framed as big, bassy speakers that make the most sense for farther listening distances, louder playback, or two channel music without a subwoofer. The compression driver tweeter is described as a bit more refined than the Studio 5 series, and the cabinet is seen as less polarizing than older JBL designs. For home theater surrounds, the towers are widely treated as overkill, with placement and line of sight mattering more than the extra woofer size. The deal also lands about $100 below Crutchfield, though several alternatives are viewed as stronger value or more dynamic.
Home theater listeners with a subwoofer who want full-size front speakers, because the towers add bigger, bassier sound at louder levels and farther seating distances.
Listeners who prefer a smoother treble presentation, because the compression driver avoids the aggressive high-end complaints some rival horn speakers can have.
Buyers comparing premium tower options, because this model is a lower-cost step that can sound close enough without paying much more for a bigger jump.
Two-channel music listeners in larger rooms, because the towers stay more rewarding when you sit farther away and play louder without a subwoofer.
Critical two-channel listeners chasing a clearly more refined upgrade, because the audible change is small and the step up is not dramatic.
Surround-channel setups beside a couch, because movie surround tracks carry limited content and towers are overkill there.
Subwoofer-based systems seeking maximum value, because towers add little once bass is handled elsewhere and cheaper alternatives can outperform them in comparison.
Power-limited systems, because these speakers are not especially efficient and work better with solid clean amplification.
Common Questions (5)
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39 Comments
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Seems like every time I think I've got the right component for the system I'm building, something new goes on sale and turns my head.
You can inspect the audio of your favorite movie to see what spectrum is being sent to the surround channels for yourself, it's not much.
Except if you listen to content exclusively in multi-channel stereo or something, then there are no rules, go crazy!
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Keep in mind the science behind all this says quality performance is based mainly on bass frequencies.
Thee most important portion is the integration of the one speaker(subwoofer) for the lowest frequency into the rest of the speakers.
People always point to how low is goes and the quality of that speaker(subwoofer) as very important.
Contrary to popular belief, that science does not change for the rest of the speakers.
I would also point out, these aren't the most efficient speakers so solid clean power is a plus ime.
Would it be $1k worth a difference, not at all imo.
I thought it was more a side move.
If you're big on JBL maybe HDI series, even then not sure it's worth the much higher cost to switch TBH.
Proper placement and clear line of ear sight to all woofers to all seating positions are the main challenges ime.
Seems like every time I think I've got the right component for the system I'm building, something new goes on sale and turns my head.
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Now, if you want towers for surrounds but might prefer a smaller footprint, the JBL 680 is also on sale on Amazon for $50 less apiece...it uses dual 6.5" woofers instead of these dual 8" woofers, so you will get a slimmer and less deep cabinet, if that is desired. Will you hear any difference between the 680 and 690 when used as HT surrounds? Highly unlikely.
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