Short answer: the JBL CBT 70J-1. It ranks #10 of 13 line array and installation pa speakers by sound quality (rated 3.4/5); the Coda Audio CoRay4 ranks #13 (rated 3.0/5).
What the JBL CBT 70J-1 does well: Independently measured by Audio Science Review, with a 5.87 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and a 3.20 directivity-index deviation. The catch: 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.
The case for the Coda Audio CoRay4: Two 4-inch planar wave drivers above four 5-inch woofers give 97dB sensitivity and a very high 144dB peak, with 120°, 60° or asymmetric 90° horizontal coverage and an asymmetric 12° vertical pattern. The catch: High-quality manufacturer measurements give a low 1.96 standalone preference score and 5.04 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 0.619 listening-window deviation, so tonal balance is uneven.
Buy the JBL CBT 70J-1. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Coda Audio CoRay4.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL CBT 70J-1 | Coda Audio CoRay4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,480.00 | - |
| Ranked | #10 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers | #13 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column | Passive 2-way line source column (requires Coda controller) |
| Drivers | 4x 5” neodymium woofers, 16x 1” neodymium tweeters | 2x 4” neodymium planar wave drivers, 4x 5” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 27.3”H x 6.7”W x 9.3”D (694 x 170 x 237 mm) | 29.8”H x 6”W x 8.4”D (758 x 152 x 214 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Passive speaker; requires a Coda Audio LINUS amplifier/controller |
| Power Handling | 500W (2,000W peak) | 700W AES / 2,800W peak |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (narrow, speech mode, manufacturer specified) | 144dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | Switchable 25° or 45° vertical | 120°, 60° or 90° asymmetric horizontal x 12° vertical |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) | 34.6 lbs (15.7 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) | 120.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) | 82.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 61.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) | about 71.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.95 | 1.96 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.87 | 5.04 |
| Sensitivity | - | 97dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL CBT 70J-1 compares with other leading options:
- JBL CBT 1000 vs JBL CBT 70J-1
- Alcons Audio QRP20 vs JBL CBT 70J-1
- L-Acoustics SOKA vs JBL CBT 70J-1
- JBL CBT 70J-1 vs JBL COL800
- JBL CBT 70J-1 vs JBL COL600
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 70J-1: $1,480.00 Passive B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Independently measured by Audio Science Review, with a 5.87 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and a 3.20 directivity-index deviation. Sixteen 1-inch tweeters and four 5-inch woofers give switchable 25° or 45° vertical coverage for long-throw or medium rooms, with a 131dB peak and a speech or music voicing switch. A pan and tilt wall bracket is included. Measured bass extension of 120.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 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. A 4.0dB reference band and 0.573 listening-window deviation mean tonal balance is uneven. It is passive and needs an external amplifier.
Full JBL CBT 70J-1 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 61.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 120.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column |
| Coverage | Switchable 25° or 45° vertical |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 27.3”H x 6.7”W x 9.3”D (694 x 170 x 237 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 5” neodymium woofers, 16x 1” neodymium tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (narrow, speech mode, manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 500W (2,000W peak) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.95 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.87 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Coda Audio CoRay4 Passive eBay
Pros: Two 4-inch planar wave drivers above four 5-inch woofers give 97dB sensitivity and a very high 144dB peak, with 120°, 60° or asymmetric 90° horizontal coverage and an asymmetric 12° vertical pattern. Bass reaches 82.5Hz at -3dB, and columns can be linked into a longer array for touring or installation. Measured bass extension of 82.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: High-quality manufacturer measurements give a low 1.96 standalone preference score and 5.04 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 0.619 listening-window deviation, so tonal balance is uneven. It will not work without a Coda Audio system controller, weighs 15.7kg and is sold only through pro dealers with no published price.
Full Coda Audio CoRay4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires a Coda Audio LINUS amplifier/controller |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 71.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way line source column (requires Coda controller) |
| Coverage | 120°, 60° or 90° asymmetric horizontal x 12° vertical |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 29.8”H x 6”W x 8.4”D (758 x 152 x 214 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4” neodymium planar wave drivers, 4x 5” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 144dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 700W AES / 2,800W peak |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 97dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.96 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.04 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 34.6 lbs (15.7 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons