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 L-Acoustics SYVA ranks #5 (rated 4.0/5).
Why pick 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. Watch for: The measurements are manufacturer supplied and spinorama rates their quality as low.
What the L-Acoustics SYVA does well: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.01 standalone and 7.58 with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: On its own it reaches only about 106Hz (-3dB), so it cannot be used without a subwoofer.
Buy the JBL CBT 1000. It is rated higher for sound quality than the L-Acoustics SYVA.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL CBT 1000 | L-Acoustics SYVA | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,075.00 | - |
| Ranked | #3 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers | #5 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column | Passive 2-way line source |
| Drivers | 6x 6.5” neodymium woofers, 24x 1” neodymium tweeters | 6x 5” cone drivers, 3x 1.75” compression drivers |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 87Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 40.2”H x 9.8”W x 13.6”D (1020 x 250 x 345 mm) | 51.2”H x 5.7”W x 8.2”D (1301 x 144 x 209 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Passive speaker; requires an L-Acoustics amplified controller (LA4X, LA12X or LA7.16i) |
| Power Handling | 1,500W (6,000W peak) | - |
| Coverage | Switchable vertical patterns, wide horizontal | 140° horizontal, +5°/-21° vertical |
| Sensitivity | 102dB (highest setting) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | - |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive; processing and protection come from the amplified controller) |
| Weight | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) | 46.3 lbs (21 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) | 106Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 48.3Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.67 | 4.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.13 | 7.58 |
| Inputs | - | Speakon (via L-Acoustics amplified controller) |
| Cabinet Material | - | Baltic beech and birch plywood |
| Maximum SPL | - | 137dB (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 Alcons Audio QR24
- 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
L-Acoustics SYVA Passive eBay
Pros: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.01 standalone and 7.58 with an ideal subwoofer. Six 5-inch drivers and three compression drivers form a slim 21kg line source with 140° horizontal coverage and 137dB peak SPL. It is intended to be paired with SYVA Low or a subwoofer, which is where the system’s bass comes from. Measured bass extension of 106Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On its own it reaches only about 106Hz (-3dB), so it cannot be used without a subwoofer. It is a passive line source that needs L-Acoustics amplified controllers, and the narrow 25° vertical coverage limits placement flexibility. Listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.319 and on-axis deviation is higher than the coaxial competition.
Full L-Acoustics SYVA review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires an L-Acoustics amplified controller (LA4X, LA12X or LA7.16i) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 106Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Baltic beech and birch plywood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way line source |
| Coverage | 140° horizontal, +5°/-21° vertical |
| DSP | No (passive; processing and protection come from the amplified controller) |
| Dimensions | 51.2”H x 5.7”W x 8.2”D (1301 x 144 x 209 mm) |
| Drivers | 6x 5” cone drivers, 3x 1.75” compression drivers |
| Frequency Response | 87Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Speakon (via L-Acoustics amplified controller) |
| Maximum SPL | 137dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 46.3 lbs (21 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons