Short answer: the Alcons Audio QRP40 for better sound quality, the JBL COL600 for the lower price. The Alcons Audio QRP40 ranks #8 of 33 column and line array PA speakers, rated 3.7/5, at $7,500. The JBL COL600 ranks #16, rated 3.3/5, at $386, $7,114 cheaper.
The Alcons Audio QRP40 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A shallow wall-mount ribbon column with high output and wide coverage that is easy to hide in a room. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.80 against 2.64 for the JBL COL600. Its bass reaches about 73Hz before falling 3dB, against 106Hz for the JBL COL600. The tradeoff: A 4.22 directivity-index deviation means off-axis tone varies more than its Alcons Audio QR24 sibling, and it needs a subwoofer below about 70Hz.
Why pick the JBL COL600: A slim, compact column for restaurants, shops and meeting rooms, with wide coverage and a transformer for distributed systems. The tradeoff: Bass measures 106Hz at -3dB and about 78Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 111dB, so it is for speech and background music.
Buy the Alcons Audio QRP40 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL COL600 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Alcons Audio QRP40 | JBL COL600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,500 Passive | $386.00 Passive |
| Ranked | #8 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers | #16 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way point-source column (pro-ribbon) | Passive slim column (8 ohm or 70V/100V) |
| Drivers | 1x 12” RBN1203 pro-ribbon driver, 8x 5” woofers (sealed) | 2x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 1x 1” tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 71Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 44”H x 6.3”W x 9.3”D (1118 x 161 x 236 mm) | 23.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (598 x 102 x 93 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (Alcons Sentinel) | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 20° (120° version available) | 160° x 110°, 10° down-tilt |
| Sensitivity | 103dB (200Hz - 10kHz) | 86dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 48.5 lbs (22 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 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) | 73Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 106Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 63.8Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 77.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.80 | 2.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.67 | 6.11 |
| Rigging | - | M6 inserts on top, bottom and sides; wall and L-brackets included |
| Power Handling | - | 80W continuous pink noise (320W peak) |
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