JBL AC28/26 vs JBL AC18/26

Short answer: the JBL AC28/26 if sound quality matters most, the JBL AC18/26 if price matters most. The JBL AC28/26 ranks #6 of 26 surface-mount and background music speakers, rated 3.1/5, at $1,990. The JBL AC18/26 ranks #10, rated 3.0/5, at $1,070.67, $919.33 cheaper.

What the JBL AC28/26 does well: A compact JBL Professional installation speaker from the same AC range as the measured JBL AC25: two 8” woofers with a rotatable 120° x 60° horn, the largest of the compact models. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.

The case for the JBL AC18/26: A compact JBL Professional installation speaker from the same AC range as the measured JBL AC25: an 8” woofer with a rotatable 120° x 60° horn. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.

Buy the JBL AC28/26 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the JBL AC18/26 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.

About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: JBL AC28/26 2.7 to 3.5; JBL AC18/26 2.6 to 3.4). Treat this verdict as provisional.

Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Speaker Comparisons

More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL AC28/26:

• JBL AC28/26 vs JBL AC26
• JBL AC28/26 vs JBL AC15
• JBL AC18/26 vs JBL AC26
• JBL AC18/26 vs JBL AC15
• JBL AC18/26 vs Yamaha VXS8

Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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

JBL AC28/26: $1,990.00 each Passive Estimated Amazon eBay

Same family: the JBL AC15 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 2.6/5), the JBL AC16 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 2.8/5), the JBL AC25 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.6/5), the JBL AC26 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 2.9/5) and the JBL AC18/26 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 3/5).

Pros: A compact JBL Professional installation speaker from the same AC range as the measured JBL AC25: two 8” woofers with a rotatable 120° x 60° horn, the largest of the compact models. JBL rates it at 94dB sensitivity and 120dB maximum SPL with 120° x 60° coverage and bass to 53Hz (-10dB), in an enclosure weighing 18.6 kg with mounting points for walls and ceilings.

Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. It is a passive installation speaker that needs an amplifier and, for best results, JBL’s recommended EQ, and the only measured AC model scored poorly, so treat the estimate with caution.

Full JBL AC28/26 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power	Passive speaker; requires external amplification
Bass Extension (-3dB)	65Hz (manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	No
Configuration	Passive 2-way installation speaker
Coverage	120° x 60°
DSP	No (passive)
Drivers	2x 8” woofers, 1” compression driver
Frequency Response	53Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified)
Maximum SPL	120dB (manufacturer specified)
Passive	Yes
Power Handling	750W program
Rigging	6 x M8 suspension points; 4 x M8 rear for MultiMount bracket
Sensitivity	94dB
Weight	41 lbs (18.6 kg)
XLR Input	No

• Links
  • JBL AC28/26 Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • JBL AC28/26 vs JBL AC26
  • JBL AC28/26 vs JBL AC15

JBL AC18/26: $1,070.67 each Passive Estimated Amazon eBay

Same family: the JBL AC15 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 2.6/5), the JBL AC16 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 2.8/5), the JBL AC25 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.6/5), the JBL AC26 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 2.9/5) and the JBL AC28/26 (larger model, ranked higher, estimated 3.1/5).

Pros: A compact JBL Professional installation speaker from the same AC range as the measured JBL AC25: an 8” woofer with a rotatable 120° x 60° horn. JBL rates it at 92dB sensitivity and 116dB maximum SPL with 120° x 60° coverage and bass to 52Hz (-10dB), in an enclosure weighing 12.8 kg with mounting points for walls and ceilings.

Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. It is a passive installation speaker that needs an amplifier and, for best results, JBL’s recommended EQ, and the only measured AC model scored poorly, so treat the estimate with caution.

Full JBL AC18/26 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power	Passive speaker; requires external amplification
Bass Extension (-3dB)	63Hz (manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	No
Configuration	Passive 2-way installation speaker
Coverage	120° x 60°
DSP	No (passive)
Drivers	8” woofer, 1” compression driver
Frequency Response	52Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified)
Maximum SPL	116dB (manufacturer specified)
Passive	Yes
Power Handling	500W program
Rigging	6 x M8 suspension points; 4 x M6 rear for OmniMount bracket
Sensitivity	92dB
Weight	28.2 lbs (12.8 kg)
XLR Input	No

• Links
  • JBL AC18/26 Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • JBL AC18/26 vs Yamaha VXS8
  • JBL AC18/26 vs JBL AC26
  • JBL AC18/26 vs JBL AC15