Short answer: the Alcons Audio QRP40. It ranks #7 of 13 line array and installation pa speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5); the JBL COL800 ranks #11 (rated 3.4/5).
What the Alcons Audio QRP40 does well: High-quality manufacturer measurements give preference scores of 3.80 standalone and 6.67 with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: A 4.22 directivity-index deviation means off-axis tone varies more than its QR24 sibling, and it needs a subwoofer below about 70Hz.
The case for the JBL COL800: Manufacturer measurements give a 6.34 preference score with an ideal subwoofer from a slim 93mm-deep column that blends into a wall. Watch for: Bass measures 115Hz at -3dB and about 86Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 116dB, so it suits speech and background music rather than loud programs.
Buy the Alcons Audio QRP40. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL COL800.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Alcons Audio QRP40 | JBL COL800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $577.00 |
| Ranked | #7 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers | #11 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers |
| 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) | 4x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 2x 0.8” tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 71Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 85Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 44”H x 6.3”W x 9.3”D (1118 x 161 x 236 mm) | 31.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (800 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) | 116dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 20° (120° version available) | 160° x 60°, 10° down-tilt |
| Sensitivity | 103dB (200Hz - 10kHz) | 88dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 48.5 lbs (22 kg) | 11.5 lbs (5.2 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) | 115Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 63.8Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 85.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.80 | 2.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.67 | 6.34 |
| Power Handling | - | 150W continuous pink noise (600W peak) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Alcons Audio QRP40 compares with other leading options:
- Kling Freitag PIA M vs Alcons Audio QRP40
- Alcons Audio QR24 vs Alcons Audio QRP40
- Alcons Audio QRP40 vs Alcons Audio QRP20
- Alcons Audio QRP40 vs L-Acoustics SOKA
- Alcons Audio QRP40 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 QRP40 Passive eBay
Pros: High-quality manufacturer measurements give preference scores of 3.80 standalone and 6.67 with an ideal subwoofer. A 12-inch pro-ribbon driver sits coaxially within eight sealed 5-inch woofers, giving 103dB sensitivity and a 131dB peak with 90° or 120° horizontal coverage. Bass reaches 73Hz at -3dB, and the shallow 236mm cabinet is easy to hide on a wall. Measured bass extension of 73Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A 4.22 directivity-index deviation means off-axis tone varies more than its QR24 sibling, and it needs a subwoofer below about 70Hz. It needs Alcons Sentinel amplification and is sold only through pro dealers with no published price.
Full Alcons Audio QRP40 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (Alcons Sentinel) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 63.8Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 73Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way point-source column (pro-ribbon) |
| Coverage | 90° x 20° (120° version available) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 44”H x 6.3”W x 9.3”D (1118 x 161 x 236 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 12” RBN1203 pro-ribbon driver, 8x 5” woofers (sealed) |
| Frequency Response | 71Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 103dB (200Hz - 10kHz) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.67 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 48.5 lbs (22 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL COL800: $577.00 Passive B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Manufacturer measurements give a 6.34 preference score with an ideal subwoofer from a slim 93mm-deep column that blends into a wall. Four racetrack woofers and two tweeters give wide 160° horizontal coverage with a built-in 10° downward tilt, and a 70V/100V transformer or 8 ohm direct mode suits distributed systems. Measured bass extension of 115Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass measures 115Hz at -3dB and about 86Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 116dB, so it suits speech and background music rather than loud programs. The data is manufacturer supplied, rated low quality, and the standalone score is 2.67.
Full JBL COL800 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 85.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 115Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive slim column (8 ohm or 70V/100V) |
| Coverage | 160° x 60°, 10° down-tilt |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 31.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (800 x 102 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 2x 0.8” tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 85Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous pink noise (600W peak) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.34 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons