Short answer: the Alcons Audio QRP20. It ranks #8 of 13 line array and installation pa speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5); the JBL CBT 70J-1 ranks #10 (rated 3.4/5).
Why pick the Alcons Audio QRP20: High-quality manufacturer measurements of the 90° version give preference scores of 3.38 standalone and 6.69 with an ideal subwoofer. The tradeoff: 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 | - | $1,480.00 |
| Ranked | #8 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers | #10 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers |
| 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) |
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 September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
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 |
| RCA Input | No |
| 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 B&H Photo Video eBay
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 →
| 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 |
| Power Handling | 500W (2,000W peak) |
| RCA Input | No |
| 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