Short answer: the JBL CBT 1000. It ranks #3 of 13 line array and installation pa speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5); the Alcons Audio QR24 ranks #6 (rated 4.0/5).
What the JBL CBT 1000 does well: 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 tradeoff: The measurements are manufacturer supplied and spinorama rates their quality as low.
Why pick the Alcons Audio QR24: High-quality manufacturer measurements give preference scores of 4.38 standalone and 7.25 with an ideal subwoofer, with a tight 1.4dB reference band and 0.279 listening-window deviation. Watch for: Bass drops quickly below about 70Hz, so a subwoofer is needed for full-range music.
Buy the JBL CBT 1000. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Alcons Audio QR24.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL CBT 1000 | Alcons Audio QR24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,075.00 | - |
| Ranked | #3 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers | #6 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column | Passive 2-way modular column (pro-ribbon) |
| Drivers | 6x 6.5” neodymium woofers, 24x 1” neodymium tweeters | 2x 12” RBN1203 pro-ribbon drivers, 4x 6.5” neodymium woofers (vented) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 74Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 40.2”H x 9.8”W x 13.6”D (1020 x 250 x 345 mm) | 25.9”H x 9.8”W x 13.2”D (658 x 248 x 336 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (Alcons Sentinel) |
| Power Handling | 1,500W (6,000W peak) | - |
| Coverage | Switchable vertical patterns, wide horizontal | 80° or 110° horizontal x 3.6° per module |
| Sensitivity | 102dB (highest setting) | 109dB (200Hz - 10kHz) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) | 48.5 lbs (22 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) | 115Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 71Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 48.3Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 62.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.67 | 4.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.13 | 7.25 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL CBT 1000 compares with other leading options:
- L-Acoustics SYVA-low+top vs JBL CBT 1000
- JBL CBT 1000 + CBT 1000E vs JBL CBT 1000
- JBL CBT 1000 vs Kling Freitag PIA M
- JBL CBT 1000 vs L-Acoustics SYVA
- JBL CBT 1000 vs JBL CBT 70J-1
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: $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
Alcons Audio QR24 Passive eBay
Pros: High-quality manufacturer measurements give preference scores of 4.38 standalone and 7.25 with an ideal subwoofer, with a tight 1.4dB reference band and 0.279 listening-window deviation. Two 12-inch pro-ribbon drivers above four 6.5-inch woofers give 109dB sensitivity and a 135dB peak, and bass reaches 71Hz at -3dB. It works alone or stacked with more modules as a vertical array, in 80° or 110° horizontal versions. Measured bass extension of 71Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass drops quickly below about 70Hz, so a subwoofer is needed for full-range music. It needs Alcons Sentinel amplification for its presets, weighs 22kg, and is sold only through pro dealers with no published price.
Full Alcons Audio QR24 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (Alcons Sentinel) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 62.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way modular column (pro-ribbon) |
| Coverage | 80° or 110° horizontal x 3.6° per module |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 25.9”H x 9.8”W x 13.2”D (658 x 248 x 336 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 12” RBN1203 pro-ribbon drivers, 4x 6.5” neodymium woofers (vented) |
| Frequency Response | 74Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 109dB (200Hz - 10kHz) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.25 |
| 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