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Zorba1446 10.5K Views
Mar 3, 2026 6:53 PM

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
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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.
  • 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
For those setting up a multichannel system, if you cannot do a 3rd 690 as a vertical center speaker (ideal), the "matching" 665C center is also on clearance at Amazon at 50% off.
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Studio...0BJTQR6B6/
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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.
  • 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
For those setting up a multichannel system, if you cannot do a 3rd 690 as a vertical center speaker (ideal), the "matching" 665C center is also on clearance at Amazon at 50% off.
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Studio...0BJTQR6B6/

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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.

  • The 690 towers can deliver bigger and bassier sound when listening farther away or louder than typical levels.

  • The 690 can benefit from solid clean power because the speakers are not the most efficient option.

  • The deal can be meaningful versus Crutchfield pricing, with a cited savings of about $100 per pair.

  • Amazon shipping reportedly arrived earlier than expected after selecting a slow-shipping option to lock in the deal.

  • The 690 may offer only slight improvement for normal home theater use compared with smaller Studio models.

  • The 690 may not be worth the hype because real side-by-side differences versus alternatives can be small.

  • The 690 deal is less compelling when comparable alternatives like Klipsch RP 8000F II are available on sale for less.

  • The 690 may be a poor fit for surround duty because surround channels often carry limited audio content.

Common Questions (5)

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39 Comments

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Mar 6, 2026 12:28 PM
92 Comments
Joined Feb 2019
Ben3031Mar 6, 2026 12:28 PM
92 Comments
How do these compare to the jbl hd 3800's?
Mar 6, 2026 1:14 PM
13.4K Comments
Joined Jul 2010
supermanrobMar 6, 2026 1:14 PM
13.4K Comments
Quote from Ben3031 View quoted comment :
How do these compare to the jbl hd 3800's?
Depends who you ask.
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.
2
Original Poster
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Mar 6, 2026 2:12 PM
1.6K Comments
Joined Sep 2018
Zorba1446Mar 6, 2026 2:12 PM
Original Poster
Pro
1.6K Comments
Quote from Ben3031 View quoted comment :
How do these compare to the jbl hd 3800's?
Any SVS shills or salesmen will of course denigrate the JBLs, lol.
Original Poster
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Mar 6, 2026 9:02 PM
1.6K Comments
Joined Sep 2018
Zorba1446Mar 6, 2026 9:02 PM
Original Poster
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1.6K Comments
Quote from Ben3031 View quoted comment :
How do these compare to the jbl hd 3800's?
The HD3800 will be a little more refined during any critical music listening in 2-channel mode, and offer nicer cosmetics/build-quality. Your judgement on whether that is worth paying an extra $850 (Audio Advisor price) or an extra $2K (Best Buy price) apiece, is of course up to you. 😊
Mar 6, 2026 11:52 PM
13.4K Comments
Joined Jul 2010
supermanrobMar 6, 2026 11:52 PM
13.4K Comments
Quote from Ben3031 View quoted comment :
How do these compare to the jbl hd 3800's?
Bad idea, there is zero objective data of the sonic benefit over these.
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!
1
Mar 8, 2026 2:57 AM
191 Comments
Joined Nov 2011
MaDequipmentMar 8, 2026 2:57 AM
191 Comments
Quote from Ben3031 View quoted comment :
How do these compare to the jbl hd 3800's?
I'd get the HDI3800 based on looks alone.
Original Poster
Pro
Mar 8, 2026 4:18 PM
1.6K Comments
Joined Sep 2018
Zorba1446Mar 8, 2026 4:18 PM
Original Poster
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1.6K Comments
Quote from MaDequipment View quoted comment :
I'd get the HDI3800 based on looks alone.
I agree, if cosmetics are a big deal for you and you don't mind paying the eye candy tax for it, the HDI do offer nicer looks.

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Mar 8, 2026 7:23 PM
917 Comments
Joined Feb 2023
PoltaGeistMar 8, 2026 7:23 PM
917 Comments
Quote from supermanrob View quoted comment :

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.
now hdi series is more my taste if i did not have my aria evo x no2 i would have picked up the top towers of those
Apr 8, 2026 5:56 PM
6 Comments
Joined Oct 2020
egg4637Apr 8, 2026 5:56 PM
6 Comments
Anyone having problems getting their speakers? Ordered Feb 27, first one got "lost in transit", 2nd one looks to be the same also.

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