Short answer: the Alcons Audio QRP20. It ranks #9 of 33 column and line array PA speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5); the JBL CBT 70J-1 ranks #11 (rated 3.4/5).
The Alcons Audio QRP20 is the deeper-bass option. High-quality manufacturer measurements of the 90° version give preference scores of 3.38 standalone and 6.69 with an ideal subwoofer. Its bass reaches about 90Hz before falling 3dB, against 120.1Hz for the JBL CBT 70J-1. The catch: Bass reaches only 90Hz at -3dB and about 81Hz at -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for music.
Why pick the JBL CBT 70J-1: Independently measured by Audio Science Review, with a 5.87 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and a 3.20 directivity-index deviation. The catch: Bass measures 120Hz at -3dB and about 62Hz at -10dB, and the standalone score is only 2.95, so it needs a subwoofer for music.
Buy the Alcons Audio QRP20. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL CBT 70J-1.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Alcons Audio QRP20 | JBL CBT 70J-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Passive | $1,480.00 Passive |
| Ranked | #9 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers | #11 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers |
| Rigging | M10 inserts top and bottom; M6 bracket pattern on back | 10 x M6 rear inserts; swivel/tilt wall bracket included |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way point-source column (pro-ribbon) | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column |
| Drivers | 1x 4” RBN401 pro-ribbon driver, 4x 5” woofers (sealed) | 4x 5” neodymium woofers, 16x 1” neodymium tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 72Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 29.2”H x 5.9”W x 5.9”D (742 x 150 x 150 mm) | 27.3”H x 6.7”W x 9.3”D (694 x 170 x 237 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (Alcons Sentinel) | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Maximum SPL | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 131dB peak (narrow, speech mode, manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 15° (120° version available) | Switchable 25° or 45° vertical |
| Sensitivity | 99dB (200Hz - 10kHz) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs (12 kg) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 120.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 80.8Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 61.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 | 2.95 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | 5.87 |
| Power Handling | - | 500W (2,000W peak) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Alcons Audio QRP20 (measured by the manufacturer) and JBL CBT 70J-1 (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Alcons Audio QRP20:
- L-Acoustics SYVA vs Alcons Audio QRP20
- Alcons Audio QRP40 vs Alcons Audio QRP20
- Alcons Audio QRP20 vs L-Acoustics SOKA
- Alcons Audio QRP20 vs JBL COL800
- Alcons Audio QRP20 vs JBL COL600
Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Alcons Audio QRP20 Passive eBay
Same family: the Alcons Audio QR24 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 4/5) and the Alcons Audio QRP40 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: High-quality manufacturer measurements of the 90° version give preference scores of 3.38 standalone and 6.69 with an ideal subwoofer. A 4-inch pro-ribbon driver on a Morpher lens above four sealed 5-inch woofers gives 99dB sensitivity and a 128dB peak from a slim 150mm-square, 12kg column, with 90° or 120° horizontal versions. Measured bass extension of 90Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches only 90Hz at -3dB and about 81Hz at -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for music. The 120° version measures slightly worse, at 3.00 standalone. It needs Alcons Sentinel amplification and is sold only through pro dealers with no published price.
Full Alcons Audio QRP20 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (Alcons Sentinel) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 80.8Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way point-source column (pro-ribbon) |
| Coverage | 90° x 15° (120° version available) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 29.2”H x 5.9”W x 5.9”D (742 x 150 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” RBN401 pro-ribbon driver, 4x 5” woofers (sealed) |
| Frequency Response | 72Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | Yes |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | M10 inserts top and bottom; M6 bracket pattern on back |
| Sensitivity | 99dB (200Hz - 10kHz) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs (12 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL CBT 70J-1: $1,480.00 Passive Amazon $1,480.00 B&H Photo Video $1,480.00 eBay
Same family: the JBL CBT 50LA-1 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 3.1/5), the JBL CBT 100LA-1 (larger model, ranked lower, estimated 3.1/5), the JBL CBT 200LA-1 (larger model, ranked lower, estimated 3.2/5) and the JBL CBT 1000 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: Independently measured by Audio Science Review, with a 5.87 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and a 3.20 directivity-index deviation. Sixteen 1-inch tweeters and four 5-inch woofers give switchable 25° or 45° vertical coverage for long-throw or medium rooms, with a 131dB peak and a speech or music voicing switch. A pan and tilt wall bracket is included. Measured bass extension of 120.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass measures 120Hz at -3dB and about 62Hz at -10dB, and the standalone score is only 2.95, so it needs a subwoofer for music. A 4.0dB reference band and 0.573 listening-window deviation mean tonal balance is uneven. It is passive and needs an external amplifier.
Full JBL CBT 70J-1 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 61.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 120.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column |
| Coverage | Switchable 25° or 45° vertical |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 27.3”H x 6.7”W x 9.3”D (694 x 170 x 237 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 5” neodymium woofers, 16x 1” neodymium tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (narrow, speech mode, manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 500W (2,000W peak) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 10 x M6 rear inserts; swivel/tilt wall bracket included |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.95 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.87 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons