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forum threadZorba1446 posted Jun 09, 2026 03:31 PM
forum threadZorba1446 posted Jun 09, 2026 03:31 PM

JBL Studio 698, 3-way TOWER speaker with Compression Driver tweeter, $799.95

$800

$1,100

27% off
Crutchfield
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The 698 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 Compression Driver tweeter.
  • Dual 8" PolyPlas Low-Frequency Woofers = 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.
  • 6" dedicated Midrange woofer for crystal clear vocals
  • 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.
For those setting up a multichannel system, if you cannot do a 3rd 698 as a vertical center speaker (ideal), the "matching" 665C center is also on deep discount at Crutchfield.

Full Klippel measurements + both text and YouTube review:
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/...tudio_698/

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_109...-Wood.html
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The 698 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 Compression Driver tweeter.
  • Dual 8" PolyPlas Low-Frequency Woofers = 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.
  • 6" dedicated Midrange woofer for crystal clear vocals
  • 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.
For those setting up a multichannel system, if you cannot do a 3rd 698 as a vertical center speaker (ideal), the "matching" 665C center is also on deep discount at Crutchfield.

Full Klippel measurements + both text and YouTube review:
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/...tudio_698/

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_109...-Wood.html

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Jun 09, 2026 03:58 PM
4,391 Posts
Joined Oct 2011
turbodogJun 09, 2026 03:58 PM
4,391 Posts
Oooooooo. Tempting.

Oh nevermind that's $800 each,

Where's my deal on some JBL 4349?
Last edited by turbodog June 9, 2026 at 09:04 AM.
Jun 10, 2026 01:39 AM
782 Posts
Joined Feb 2023
IndigoManatee4695Jun 10, 2026 01:39 AM
782 Posts
Is this better then the hdi series
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Jun 10, 2026 04:07 AM
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Zorba1446Jun 10, 2026 04:07 AM
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Quote from IndigoManatee4695 :
Is this better then the hdi series
The HDI are the higher end model line, as reflected in their pricing. Folks on the AVS Speaker Forum (recommend asking there if you wish to verify) who have owned both report the HDI do outshine the Studio series during critical music listening, not as wide a margin during movies. If you care about cabinet aesthetics/build-quality then the HDI are a significant upgrade. However, the interesting wrinkle in all this is that all the HDI towers are 2.5 way, whereas this 698 is actually 3 way, which might account for the narrower audible margin.

Crutchfield does have the HDI towers on closeout pricing too, so the price gap is a lot narrower too: https://slickdeals.net/f/19397862
The 3800 is sold out except for one "Scratch and Dent" model there, though---and its 8" woofers would make it more of the equivalent model to the 698, whereas the 3600 is more equivalent to the Studio 680 with their 6.5" woofers. You can still get it from this website, albeit at exactly double the price of the 698...your call on whether it's worth it or not: https://www.audioadvice.com/produ...8071118932
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Jun 10, 2026 07:16 AM
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supermanrob
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Jun 10, 2026 07:16 AM
12,781 Posts
Quote from IndigoManatee4695 :
Is this better then the hdi series
Depends who ask.
On paper hdis are the higher end model.

From personal experience, in short, the hdis aren't worth the extra cost over these.
As a matter of fact unless you had a very large open environment, these aren't worth the cost over the 690/680s.

Even the smaller versions are way more cost effective especially if you use a sub.

JBL is phasing out this series.
If a blind buy or in no hurry.
Probably better to see if they go down even lower.

Plenty of other good options in this price range also.
Last edited by supermanrob June 11, 2026 at 07:27 AM.

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