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); the Kling Freitag PIA M ranks #4 (rated 4.1/5).
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.
What the Kling Freitag PIA M does well: High-quality manufacturer measurements give preference scores of 4.50 standalone and 7.92 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 1.7dB reference band and 0.82 predicted in-room smoothness. The tradeoff: Bass is limited, at 95Hz for -3dB and about 82Hz for -10dB in bass-reflex mode, so it needs a subwoofer for music.
Buy the JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Kling Freitag PIA M.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E | Kling Freitag PIA M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,945.00 | - |
| Ranked | #2 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers | #4 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column with matching extension | Passive 3-way column loudspeaker |
| Drivers | CBT 1000: 6x 6.5” woofers, 24x 1” tweeters; CBT 1000E adds a matching extension array | 4x 0.75” compression drivers on adjustable horn, 2x 4” midrange (cardioid chamber), 4x 4” woofers (switchable bass-reflex/cardioid) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, CBT 1000 alone, manufacturer specified) | 85Hz - 23kHz (±10dB, bass-reflex mode, manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Power Handling | 1,500W (6,000W peak), CBT 1000 | 150W nominal / 325W program / 650W peak |
| Coverage | Switchable vertical patterns, wide horizontal | 100° x 5° to 25° (adjustable) |
| Sensitivity | 102dB (highest setting, CBT 1000) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms (CBT 1000) | 8 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) | 95Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 39.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 81.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.70 | 4.50 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.96 | 7.92 |
| Dimensions | - | 47.1”H x 5.5”W x 6.6”D (1196 x 139 x 168 mm) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 132dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) |
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- JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E vs Alcons Audio QR24
- JBL CBT 1000 vs Kling Freitag PIA M
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
Kling Freitag PIA M Passive eBay
Pros: High-quality manufacturer measurements give preference scores of 4.50 standalone and 7.92 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 1.7dB reference band and 0.82 predicted in-room smoothness. The 3-way column has an adjustable tweeter array (5°, 15° or 25° vertical), a cardioid midrange and a woofer section switchable between bass reflex and cardioid to cut sound behind the speaker. It reaches 132dB from a slim 12.2kg cabinet. Measured bass extension of 95Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass is limited, at 95Hz for -3dB and about 82Hz for -10dB in bass-reflex mode, so it needs a subwoofer for music. It is passive and meant for Kling & Freitag amplifiers, and it is sold only through pro dealers with no published price.
Full Kling Freitag PIA M review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 81.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 3-way column loudspeaker |
| Coverage | 100° x 5° to 25° (adjustable) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 47.1”H x 5.5”W x 6.6”D (1196 x 139 x 168 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 0.75” compression drivers on adjustable horn, 2x 4” midrange (cardioid chamber), 4x 4” woofers (switchable bass-reflex/cardioid) |
| Frequency Response | 85Hz - 23kHz (±10dB, bass-reflex mode, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 150W nominal / 325W program / 650W peak |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.50 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.92 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons