Customer Reviews for JBL - Stage2 280F 2.5-Way Dual 8" Floorstanding Loudspeaker - Each - Espresso
Customer Rating
5
Oustanding sound
on August 9, 2024
Posted by: BRaup
from Danville, PA
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I absolutely love these freestanding speakers. Not only do they sound great, they look great. Whether we are watching a movie, the news or just listening to music, these speakers are crisp and really make you feel the sound. I also really like the small spikes on the bottom that allow the speakers to remain in one place on the carpet. Lastly, the magnetic cover is awesome. Fits perfect and maintains a perfect match to the other JBL speakers in the system.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
4
JBL Stage 280F Review
on August 13, 2024
Posted by: Dogsnif
from Near Raleigh, NC
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] When looking to upgrade my home audio setup, I opted for the JBL Stage 280F floor-standing speakers, and I’m glad I did. These speakers are part of JBL’s Stage series, which is all about delivering great sound without breaking the bank. What drew me to the 280F model was its sweet spot between affordability and high-quality audio performance—a perfect fit for those of us who love rich sound but are mindful of our budget.
The JBL Stage 280F has a lot going for it, starting with its design. It features a ported (bass-reflex) enclosure with a rear-firing port that boosts low-frequency response. The cabinet is made from MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard), a common choice in this price range, which helps reduce unwanted resonances that can muddy the sound. My pair came in a finish called “Expresso,” which has been a stylish complement to my listening room décor.
The speakers are fairly large, measuring around 14-1/8" wide by 43-13/16" high and 16-1/2" deep, and each weigh about 55.2 pounds. They’re hefty enough to deliver deep bass but not so massive that they’re impossible to handle. When mine arrived, the boxes were pretty beat up from shipping, but I was relieved to find the speakers in perfect condition. It was clear JBL put a lot of thought into the packaging, which was a nice touch. Moving them alone was a bit of a workout, though, so you might want to enlist a friend for that part.
One feature that really impressed me was the included base. Many speaker brands skip this detail, even on higher-end models, but JBL made sure to include a base that fits perfectly with the 280F. This small addition made setting up the speakers a lot easier and provided a stable platform, which is great for ensuring they stay put.
The Stage 280F is a 2-1/2-way speaker with dual 8" ribbed polycellulose woofers and a 1" aluminum dome tweeter. The polycellulose material is a step up from traditional paper cones, providing better rigidity and damping for more precise bass. The tweeter is paired with JBL’s Next Generation HDI™ waveguide, which helps disperse sound evenly throughout the room. The bass-reflex enclosure includes dual rear ports to extend low-frequency response.
One nice touch is the three pairs of 5-way gold-plated binding posts. The bottom posts allow for bi-wiring or bi-amping, and the top posts can pass through height-channel signals if you add height (or Atmos capable) speakers later.
The frequency response of these speakers ranges from 45Hz to 20kHz. This means you get pretty deep bass and clear high frequencies. With a sensitivity rating of around 91 dB, the 280F can produce a high output with less power, which means it pairs well with a range of amplifiers. I tested them with both a vintage tube amp and a modern 5.1 channel AV receiver, and the speakers performed admirably with both.
In terms of sound quality, the JBL Stage 280F offers a balanced audio profile. The mids are clear, the highs are detailed, and the bass is strong without being overpowering. It’s a great all-rounder for music and movies, although if you’re after extremely deep or punchy bass, you might find it a bit lacking.
Placement is important with these speakers. They work best when positioned a few feet away from the rear wall to avoid excessive bass boominess. I experimented with different placements and angles, and despite trying various setups, the speakers consistently delivered good imaging. While they didn’t create a “holographic” soundstage, their imaging was better than many other speakers I’ve encountered.
In summary, the JBL Stage 280F is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a floor-standing speaker that balances price and performance. With its solid build, versatile design, and balanced sound, it’s a great choice for enhancing your home audio system without breaking the bank.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
The Two Towers
on August 14, 2024
Posted by: Dan Dan
from Indianapolis, IN
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I received my two JBL 280F a few weeks ago. I have used it for more than just home theater use. First off, the installation/wiring was very easy and simple. The sound quality has been top tier. The speakers can push a lot of air. The speakers have the same equilibrium at a lower and higher volume. I am really impressed with the craftsmanship of the enclosure. The speaker enclosure is solid and has a wide base to accommodate the height. It stands at almost 45” tall and has a very appealing wood grain finish on the sides, and top, matte black finish on the front. I really appreciate the optional magnet speaker screen. The fact that JBL uses 8 high energetic hidden magnets to attach the screen, goes to show that they have ingenuity. I would highly recommend these speakers to someone who cares about build quality and wants a sound system that can be very universal.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
This is a review of the JBL 280F floor speakers
on August 18, 2024
Posted by: kingfish94
from OKC, OK
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] JBL MA9100HP and JBL 280F
This is a review of the JBL MA9100HP A/V receiver and a pair of the JBL 280F floor speakers. Let me start out by saying that this JBL system sounds great!
The 125w speakers are massive (44in high x 9 in wide {14” wide at base} x 16.5 in deep) and they include a tweeter, 8”main driver and 8” treble/base. Normal sound ports are on the back.
The receiver has only 8 buttons on the front and 11 buttons on the remote. The MA9100HP receiver has a color LED screen (2” x 6”) That’s the beauty of this system: Less buttons means less clutter. But more on-screen menus means total control of ALL aspects of this 9.2, 7.1, 5.1, Stereo 2.1 or 2.0 system. (Speaker count is up to to the individual)
From Spotify, Apple Airplay, Chromecast to online movies, TV, DVD’s, CD’s, tapes, phonographs, etc., I haven’t found one input that this JBL MA9100HP can’t handle. It’s even ATMOS compatible and it works great with my Cox cable service. I cannot say enough GOOD about this system that has Wi-fi, Bluetooth, digital inputs (HDMI), analog inputs and phono inputs.
I tested as many of these inputs as I could…ALL with ‘Thumbs Up’ results. (I don’t know what ‘Safe to turn beyond 11’ means on the unit’s main volume dial?)
Great job JBL! You knocked it out of the park with this system.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Oh my goodness!! What??
on August 19, 2024
Posted by: jduun2
from Omaha, NE
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I SAID "OH MY GOODNESS!!"
And I needed to yell that because these speakers sound so good, you just want to push the volume up as high as it will go!! When listening to stereo music, it is concert quality without all the annoying people bumping into you and trying to have conversations instead of paying attention to the music. I want all my concert experiences to be aa clear and crisp as these speakers produce. They are fantastic!!
For home theater use as the front side speakers, you have no question where that noise is coming from when it is off-screen. That car is coming in fast from the left. That was a gunshot from the right. And when paired with the JBL Stage 240H speakers, that plane is coming in hot from the right way up high. Again, unbelievable quality that is crisp and clear.
And these speakers are BUILT to last. Each speaker weighs in at 55 pounds. I don't mid because I am not moving these anywhere!! They are sooo good!! Each speaker also has 2 8-inch woofers that have different cutoff points. Add in the prominent tweeter at the top and you have full sound blissfulness. On the backside are two ports to help push the low end around the room. Also on the backside are three speaker connections - two of them are to help with cable management if you opt to use the 240H speakers mentioned above to use for Dolby ATMOS, or "height" sounds.
There is only 1 thing I can say is a minus, but it is also a big plus. The grills for these speakers are held on by magnets. I love that!! So, if someone/something brushes against the grill or bumps the grill from the side, they just pop off and no damage. There are no "posts" to break off or to snag and possibly cause the speaker to fall over. That being said, our big dog has a long tail and when he is happy, he can knock those suckers loose in an instant.
Therefore, all I can say is - you cannot go wrong with these speakers. They are quite incredible and I am more than delighted with the results. And for the full home theater experience, I do also recommend getting the whole JBL Stage 2 series since they were all developed to work together. Other parts in my system include the following: 240H (height), 245C (Center), 250B (Surround), and the 220P (subwoofer). I could not be happier!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
A significant upgrade to any home theater system.
on August 21, 2024
Posted by: Btotheryan64
from Kansas City, MO
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] - The JBL 280F is really impressive with its balanced audio performance. With its dual 8-inch woofers and a 1-inch tweeter, these speakers deliver clear highs, well-defined mids, and decent bass. The speaker’s frequency response range ensures that it handles both subtle details and powerful sound effects effectively, whether you're listening to music or watching movies.
I love the sleek, modern design. They’re built very solid and have a high quality feel to them. They also have a classic floorstanding design with a slim profile, which helps them blend into any room.
Although they’re a lot taller than I’m used to, it’s 100% worth it thanks to the superb audio performance.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Elite Home Sound System (Setup Required)
on August 24, 2024
Posted by: jhalnbk
from Hartford, CT
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] These speakers are fantastic. The sound quality is elite, it exceeds the JBL standard. They are sleek black, with a solid base that you can anchor the speaker to, to prevent any kind of movement while on the platform.
The mesh that goes over the speakers is really cool, it attaches with magnets and is very easy to put on remove based on the way you like the look of the speaker. Whether you are listening to your favorite artist, or watching your favorite movie these speakers can do it both!
A couple things with the setup. They are heavy, one person can move them but might be easier to have two. The setup process takes some time as they do not connect via Bluetooth to the receiver. They are about 5 Feet tall, so best to have a bigger room to put them in.
All in all, great speakers that are bound to make your house shake at a fun party or make you feel like you are in the middle of your favorite movie.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
A great tower speaker, with amazing sound!
on August 26, 2024
Posted by: Mightyd463
from Chino, CA
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] What an amazing difference in sound quality when using a tower speaker! I've only have had small bookshelf speakers in the past and this is an amazing upgrade. The depth and range of sound coming these speakers are very good. Speakers are very well packaged for shipping, showing they care about your purchase.