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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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Community Notes
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.
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39 Comments
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The die hards/on paper believers say these sound as good as $4k speakers(not even close imo).
These clearly do not fall in that category.
Even by that belief, even if they did(they don't imo), they would be a side sound move for more cost.
In real world listening, you might hear a small difference in a side by side listening.
Outside that, good luck hearing much of a difference if at all ime.
You would be naively assuming that inflated pricetag means superior performance and be an easy mark!
People say if you use a sub, towers are useless and are all marketing propaganda.
An example: The also well measured 620s are $349/pr & you match it with the $400 RSL 10e entry sub that is said to be so well measured it provides $3k tower bass!
That could easily crush these in an AB comparison!
All at a fraction of the cost of these speakers!
Only an audio snob would recommend these over that!
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You might hear a small difference side by side.
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.
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