Short answer: the JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E. It ranks #2 of 13 line array and installation pa speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $4,945. The JBL CBT 1000 ranks #3, rated 4.1/5, at $3,075, $1,870 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E: Adding the CBT 1000E extension below the CBT 1000 gives a 5.70 standalone preference score, one of the highest of any PA speaker we list, and 7.96 with an ideal subwoofer. Watch for: The measurements are manufacturer supplied and spinorama rates their quality as low.
The case for the JBL CBT 1000: Its 8.13 preference score with an ideal subwoofer is one of the highest of any PA speaker we list, and a 0.168 listening-window deviation shows a very even tonal balance for listeners across the coverage area. The catch: The measurements are manufacturer supplied and spinorama rates their quality as low.
Buy the JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1,870 with the JBL CBT 1000 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E | JBL CBT 1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,945.00 | $3,075.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers | #3 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column with matching extension | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column |
| Drivers | CBT 1000: 6x 6.5” woofers, 24x 1” tweeters; CBT 1000E adds a matching extension array | 6x 6.5” neodymium woofers, 24x 1” neodymium tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, CBT 1000 alone, manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Power Handling | 1,500W (6,000W peak), CBT 1000 | 1,500W (6,000W peak) |
| Coverage | Switchable vertical patterns, wide horizontal | Switchable vertical patterns, wide horizontal |
| Sensitivity | 102dB (highest setting, CBT 1000) | 102dB (highest setting) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms (CBT 1000) | 4 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| 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) | 51.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 115Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 39.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 48.3Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.70 | 4.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.96 | 8.13 |
| Dimensions | - | 40.2”H x 9.8”W x 13.6”D (1020 x 250 x 345 mm) |
| Weight | - | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E compares with other leading options:
- L-Acoustics SYVA-low+top vs JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E
- JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E vs Kling Freitag PIA M
- JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E vs L-Acoustics SYVA
- JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E vs Alcons Audio QR24
- L-Acoustics SYVA-low+top vs JBL CBT 1000
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
JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E: $4,945.00 Passive B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Adding the CBT 1000E extension below the CBT 1000 gives a 5.70 standalone preference score, one of the highest of any PA speaker we list, and 7.96 with an ideal subwoofer. Bass reaches 51.5Hz at -3dB and about 40Hz at -10dB, so the pair can run full range without a subwoofer, and a 1.4dB reference band keeps the tonal balance very even. JBL’s Constant Beamwidth Technology gives switchable vertical coverage for long rooms. Measured bass extension of 51.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measurements are manufacturer supplied and spinorama rates their quality as low. At $4945 the combination is expensive, stands about 2m tall and weighs around 50kg, and it needs an external amplifier.
Full JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 39.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column with matching extension |
| Coverage | Switchable vertical patterns, wide horizontal |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Drivers | CBT 1000: 6x 6.5” woofers, 24x 1” tweeters; CBT 1000E adds a matching extension array |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, CBT 1000 alone, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 4 ohms (CBT 1000) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 1,500W (6,000W peak), CBT 1000 |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 102dB (highest setting, CBT 1000) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.96 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL CBT 1000: $3,075.00 Passive B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Its 8.13 preference score with an ideal subwoofer is one of the highest of any PA speaker we list, and a 0.168 listening-window deviation shows a very even tonal balance for listeners across the coverage area. Six 6.5-inch woofers and 24 one-inch tweeters in JBL’s Constant Beamwidth design give switchable vertical coverage, 102dB sensitivity and a 1,500W rating. The optional CBT 1000E extension adds bass and throw. Measured bass extension of 115Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measurements are manufacturer supplied and spinorama rates their quality as low. On its own the standalone score is 4.67, and the measured bass response is uneven, reaching 115Hz at -3dB but about 48Hz at -10dB, so a subwoofer or the CBT 1000E helps. It is passive, weighs 24.5kg and needs an external amplifier.
Full JBL CBT 1000 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 48.3Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 115Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column |
| Coverage | Switchable vertical patterns, wide horizontal |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 40.2”H x 9.8”W x 13.6”D (1020 x 250 x 345 mm) |
| Drivers | 6x 6.5” neodymium woofers, 24x 1” neodymium tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 1,500W (6,000W peak) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 102dB (highest setting) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.13 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons