One thing I like about Steve is he's not an audio snob.

I really like that you are including pictures of equipment that you mention in your reviews. Please keep doing this. I also like that you mentioned other speakers in the same price range and how they compare, even if only briefly. Thanks!

Steve, what is that little amp on the stack to the left of the shitt amp? Thank you!

I just contacted Harman to see how we can handle the alignment issue. In case you didn't know JBL sold thousands of Stage A series speakers with a defect in which a positive to positive connection at the posts results in trashed alignment which reduces one of the greatest bookshelf speakers ever made to one of mediocrity.

Wait so these have more detail than the Miccas correct? Looking for small apt home theater speakers, thx! 3010i Qs are also on my list!

Thank you for the recent reviews of JBL products. Any chance you will review the Stage A 190? Would love to hear your opinion on the dual 8s vs the 5.25s

Hi Steve, did you compare the A130 vs. A170 speakers side by side like in the vid? Are you not afraid of the bass-trap effect?

I couldn't help but notice the Brooklyn amp sitting there. Tell me, If you had to take ONE, only one to drive your Maggies/TADs/Klipsches, which amp would you keep to run your current stable of favorite speakers?

Steve How do you compare these to a pair of entry level Maggie's?

What about the A130 or A120 both from JBL as surround or surround back speakers for 5.1 or 7.1? As 5.1/7.1 is there any reason to spend more for the A130?

Steve, my bad actually meant the Studio 290's. i know your a very busy man but maybe since JBL is being pro-active with your reviews, if you have time . Also i'm looking for a cheap (under$200.00) but good quality DAC mostly streaming Spotify with some intention to go Tidal. was looking at the Schitt Modi 3 any suggestions? i understand the Modi 3 will only decode MQA at 24bit 96k since its not MQA capable.

Would this be suitable for my denon dm41?

Like my Advents back in the 70's, I usually buy 2 pairs of speakers of this size and stack them for a larger sound.

Thank you for the nice videos Steve. When are you going to share your thoughts on the Klipsch Forte III here? I'm waiting to hear your opinion before I purchase a pair. I know about your CNET review but I would really like to hear you comments and feelings in a video on how the Forte III differs from the Heresy which I already have. Thank you and keep up your great videos, I love them!

I'm having a heck of a time deciding on this vs the emotiva b1+.. Any thoughts?

I like how you give some feedback when driving speakers with amps that would probably fall in the similar budget as the speakers as well as an amp cost perhaps several times more. Personally I would even like feedback of how they sound connected to an exotically expensive amp. No doubt it would be hard to find a consumer who would run $200 speakers with a $10,000 + amp. Still would love to find out what speakers have the most potential even if the combination is impractical. Granted my curiosity would have me interested to find out which budget amp sounds best when feeding exotically expensive speakers.

Great review. Very through and Yes he's not an Audio Snob. I own a pair of its predecessor the JBL Arena #130 bookshelf speaker. Its outstanding for smaller setups , lots of volume and quality sound . I'm not surprised it's JBL...

Im rocking the a170 as well, these are amazing for small or medium rooms. Thought the drivers were too small for me but i got surprisingly more power from these 5.25 inch woofers than the 6.5 inch pair of old ones i had. Im thinking about adding the a130 for extra sound

Where can you buy the A170 for $400?

Is this worth an upgrade over the Sony‘s core speakers

Even adding a $200 sub with the bookshelves should outdo the bass on those little towers.

Steve Steve Steve, you really need to rack all of your equipment.

JBL did not set out to build a speaker with boomy mid-bass, one dimensional transients and recessed vocals. A130 with these traits have a phase error. Red should be connected to black. These speakers are mind boggling once the polarity is corrected. They have the sonics of headphones. I'm not sure which years have this "mistake". Mine were purchased from JBL late 2023. You just have to try it and see.

Enjoying your review of the JBLs any chance of getting the Studio 190s?

Would the a130 work as a single center speaker? Or am i better off with the center channel of this line?

With all of the outstanding entry-level speakers out there, when you use words like "nice" and "pretty good" I hear a voice in the back of my head screaming, "NEEEEEEXT!" It really sounds like what you "are trying" to say is, "Pony up for the Big Boys and you'll be REALLY happy". 😁🤘🎵

Price aside, Is this better than the the Studio 530?

with a proper sub, A130 can sound as good as 170? or better ?

Can't beat the look of those towers.

At last some hi-fi equipment that makes some sense and doesn’t cost more than the house it’s in! Notice that these speakers are SIMPLE!ALL YOU NEED!

I'm just getting started. For sure I am planning to get the Sony DH190. I have considered the Sony SS-CS5, bookshelf speakers. But for a few dollars more, if it is worth it, those JBL stage a130.

Good Day from 2024: Given that JBL, on average, excessively, excessively over prices their products, considering the low price of these speakers, are the speakers Really Made By JBL OR some other cheaper company?

Dear Steve Any Klipsch tower suggestion in relation to the Klipsch 600 M, to complete complete your current tour of the perfect budget audiophile speaker? Thank you for the daily delightful and generous videos. Marc @ Beijing

I wonder how the A130 compares to the Emotiva B1? They are pretty much the same price.

Damned by faint praise. LOL

If the Arena series two-way pops up on the JBL website, might be the preferred way to go. Can always buy, try, return if not to your liking.

The second one the 8 inches that's the real deal bro.

Note: components are vented for cooling air flow. Those openings should not be obstructed.

They take up the same space??? So just get the towers!

Oh, btw ;-) … Hasn't it become obvious, that a Bookshelf speaker "properly set-up" on Stands; "makes the same footprint" ??? Then of course, If either speaker is Real Ported; It will probably need to be further out into most rooms, than even a Front Ported one ? That being said, if the " disposable cash" is available. Any such Tower vs. It's "sibling" Bookshelf scenario. The Tower is the logical choice. Even if the intended placement is a Near Field / Desktop arrangement; If the Tweeter height on the tower is "reasonable", from a chair. It should not, out of hand, be deemed inappropriate. ie. Dayton 442 T towers. Now those are slim (Dual 4inch Woofers) about 6'' wide and are 36 " tall. The JBL A-170 is 7.48 inches wide ( Dual 5.25 inch Mid - Bass drivers; Did you note the distinction ?) and 36.6 inches tall. So, "prima facia"; It could work like the Dayton in a Near Field. But I'd still be concerned about the influence, of that rear port.

how would jbl stage 190 compare to 170?

None if the Jones budget alternatives sound as good 😊 They are all hampered by the miserable Kevlar woofers. Here it is nice to see JBL adding a similar paper woofer to the ones used in their L models

Sounds like the bookshelves would be good for a desk or surround duties.

... for smaller spaces Steve. Tiny apts and housing, trailer living

Sins of omission don't bother me nearly as much as sins of commission...

Steve, Why do you review small speakers while touting their larger brethren? There are reasons why bookshelf speakers are produced. If you can't maintain your focus on their attributes within their own category, then stop reviewing them.

It's summer time how bout some reviews on outdoor speakers.

Make a good set of computer speakers.

That Reichert guy weirds me out.

semi decent toys,, even after 100 hours,,, we are better served by klipsch r50m... borea 02,,, dali spektor 2,,, or even 50 yr old diatone..

初めまして。ジャズを聴かないのでこのスピーカーは購入する必要はありませんでした。低音が出過ぎます。ごめんなさい。

Well, pbpbpbpbpb...

are you aware JBL is selling two different models of these stage series?? I bought the a130 and a190.. they both sound TERRIBLE. Vocals sound like they're coming from a $20 radio inside a cardboard box. PLEASE do not promote these. I'd be happy to send the set I received for you to listen to.

Rear ported, meh....

5.25" 'woofer' doesn't WOOF, it mumbles. 10" - 15" woofers WOOF

These audiophiles are the worst and need to be put down. Them just innocent kids dammit.