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popularZorba1446 posted Mar 03, 2026 06:53 PM
popularZorba1446 posted Mar 03, 2026 06:53 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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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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Model: JBL - Studio 690 Dual 8" 2.5-Way Compression Driver Floorstanding Loud Speaker (Each) - Dark Wood

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Sort: Lowest to Highest | Last Updated 3/4/2026, 08:03 PM
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26 Comments

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Mar 03, 2026 07:30 PM
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CalmMitten9192Mar 03, 2026 07:30 PM
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank CalmMitten9192

Get 3 of these for behind your AT screen ftw.
1
Mar 03, 2026 09:13 PM
416 Posts
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northjasonMar 03, 2026 09:13 PM
416 Posts
Well... I thought I was set with the JBL 630 Bookshelf set I just got at 499. Are these twice as good as those?
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.
Mar 03, 2026 09:14 PM
531 Posts
Joined Aug 2014
Boss93Mar 03, 2026 09:14 PM
531 Posts
Good for surrounds? Have klipsch rp-8000f up front
Mar 03, 2026 09:34 PM
1,466 Posts
Joined Mar 2014
CharlieC9067Mar 03, 2026 09:34 PM
1,466 Posts
Quote from Boss93 :
Good for surrounds? Have klipsch rp-8000f up front
overkill, surrounds only go beep, bop and woosh. I have kl-7800-thx for my sides and rears(x4)
Last edited by CharlieC9067 March 3, 2026 at 02:44 PM.
1
Mar 03, 2026 09:51 PM
1,768 Posts
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maheeinfyMar 03, 2026 09:51 PM
1,768 Posts
Are these improvement over 590
Mar 03, 2026 10:25 PM
14 Posts
Joined Nov 2019
wfcdogman1Mar 03, 2026 10:25 PM
14 Posts
After I already bought speakers.
Mar 03, 2026 10:31 PM
132 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
mrjed7Mar 03, 2026 10:31 PM
132 Posts
Quote from Boss93 :
Good for surrounds? Have klipsch rp-8000f up front
Unless you want to have giant speakers to impress other people, there's no reason to get anything close to towers for surround duty. Get some nice klipsch RP bookshelves and save yourself the embarrassment of being that guy who thinks he needs towers next to the couch for surround speakers.

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!
Last edited by mrjed7 March 4, 2026 at 01:24 PM.
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Mar 03, 2026 10:35 PM
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SmileyMicrobeMar 03, 2026 10:35 PM
9 Posts
I guess if you're already in the market for these you'll save a cool hundred over crutchfield who has em at 599. Otherwise pass and save up for something more dynamic.
Mar 03, 2026 10:51 PM
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benedictMar 03, 2026 10:51 PM
1,183 Posts
Quote from maheeinfy :
Are these improvement over 590
i'm wondering the same as well.
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Mar 03, 2026 11:27 PM
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supermanrob
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Mar 03, 2026 11:27 PM
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Quote from northjason :
Well... I thought I was set with the JBL 630 Bookshelf set I just got at 499. Are these twice as good as those?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.
Depends who you ask.

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.
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NaPra
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Why only 2 reviews?
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supermanrob
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Quote from maheeinfy :
Are these improvement over 590
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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supermanrob
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Quote from mrjed7 :
Unless you want to have giant speakers to impress other people, there's no reason to get anything close to towers for surround duty. Get some nice klipsch RP bookshelves and save yourself the embarrassment of being that guy who thinks he needs towers next to the couch for surround speakers. 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. Unless you listen to content exclusively in multi-channel stereo or something, then there are no rules, go crazy!
Content being sent isn't the issue.
Proper placement and clear line of ear sight to all woofers to all seating positions are the main challenges ime.
Last edited by supermanrob March 3, 2026 at 07:04 PM.
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Zorba1446Yesterday 02:23 AM
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Quote from northjason :
Well... I thought I was set with the JBL 630 Bookshelf set I just got at 499. Are these twice as good as those?
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.
If you're happy with your 630s, keep 'em. If you sit further away than the typical 8-10ft and listen louder than the typical 60-75db, then a tower version will simply offer you bigger and bassier sound. If you don't have a subwoofer and actually do a lot of 2-channel music listening at louder than average SPLs then yes it would be worth it.

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Zorba1446Yesterday 02:25 AM
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Quote from Boss93 :
Good for surrounds? Have klipsch rp-8000f up front
You can use any speakers for surrounds; these would be a bit of overkill but hey overkill never killed anybody in this hobby 🤣🤣🤣

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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