Floorstanding loudspeakers — JBL STAGE 260F

The Stage 260F is the smaller of two floor-standing models in JBL's Stage 2 loudspeaker line, announced on 17 July 2024 together with the MA series AV receivers and shipped from that month. The range also covers the 280F tower, the 250B and 240B bookshelf models, the 245C centre, the 240H Dolby Atmos height module and the 200P and 220P subwoofers. At launch the 260F cost USD 999 per pair, and both finishes, Espresso and Latte, share a slim cabinet profile.

Key specs that matter

Every 260F uses two 165 mm woofers with ribbed polycellulose cones and a 25 mm anodised aluminium dome tweeter set in JBL's next-generation HDI waveguide. The crossover is a 2.5-way network with points at 1.3 kHz and 1.7 kHz. JBL lists a frequency range of 40 Hz to 25 kHz at the -6 dB points, sensitivity of 90 dB for 2.83 V at 1 m and a nominal impedance of 6 ohm. Including its base the cabinet measures 1036 mm high, 310 mm wide and 362 mm deep, and the body alone is 201 mm wide by 353 mm deep. One speaker weighs 19.5 kg, rising to 24.1 kg in the carton.

Engineering and use context

In the 2.5-way arrangement both woofers play the bass, but the upper one is crossed over right below the tweeter while the lower one rolls off at a lower frequency. As a result the pair of cones shares the load in the deep bass, while only the upper cone continues up to meet the tweeter. The tweeter sits in a patented High-Definition waveguide, a JBL geometry that the brand now uses across the whole Stage 2 range together with anodised tweeter domes. Bass is vented through twin flared racetrack ports on the rear panel, and the flares slow the air as it leaves the cabinet so the ports do not chuff at high levels. The grilles are detachable and held by magnets, and JBL backs the speakers with a five-year warranty.

Pairing

JBL recommends amplification between 20 W and 225 W, which covers everything from a modest stereo integrated to a multichannel receiver such as the MA series, rated from 60 W in the MA310 to 140 W in the MA9100HP. The rear panel has 5-way binding posts for the main signal plus a second dedicated set for Atmos, so the tower is ready for a 240H module that adds Dolby Atmos height channels. A 245C centre and one of the Stage 2 subwoofers complete a surround system.

Alternatives

JBL's Stage 280F is the larger floor-standing model in the same series, with dual 8-inch woofers, a 38 Hz lower limit and a launch price of USD 1,199 per pair.