Short answer: the JBL CBT 1000. It ranks #3 of 33 column and line array PA speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $3,075. The JBL CBT 70J-1 ranks #11, rated 3.4/5, at $1,480, $1,595 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The JBL CBT 1000 is the more accurate option. A passive column speaker with accurate, even sound across a wide audience and switchable vertical coverage for long rooms. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.67 against 2.95 for the JBL CBT 70J-1. The catch: The measurements are manufacturer supplied and spinorama rates their quality as low.
What the JBL CBT 70J-1 does well: A passive column with switchable vertical coverage for long or medium rooms, a speech or music switch, and a wall bracket included. Watch for: Bass measures 120Hz at -3dB and about 62Hz at -10dB, and the standalone score is only 2.95, so it needs a subwoofer for music.
Buy the JBL CBT 1000. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,595 saving on the JBL CBT 70J-1 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL CBT 1000 | JBL CBT 70J-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,075.00 Passive | $1,480.00 Passive |
| Ranked | #3 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers | #11 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 14 x M8 rear inserts; 4 x M8 top and bottom; wall bracket included | 10 x M6 rear inserts; swivel/tilt wall bracket included |
| Maximum SPL | 130dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 131dB peak (narrow, speech mode, manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column |
| Drivers | 6x 6.5” neodymium woofers, 24x 1” neodymium tweeters | 4x 5” neodymium woofers, 16x 1” neodymium tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 40.2”H x 9.8”W x 13.6”D (1020 x 250 x 345 mm) | 27.3”H x 6.7”W x 9.3”D (694 x 170 x 237 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Power Handling | 1,500W (6,000W peak) | 500W (2,000W peak) |
| Coverage | Switchable vertical patterns, wide horizontal | Switchable 25° or 45° vertical |
| Sensitivity | 102dB (highest setting) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 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) | 120.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 48.3Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 61.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.67 | 2.95 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.13 | 5.87 |
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