Short answer: the JBL COL600. It ranks #13 of 23 column and line array PA speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $386; the Yamaha VXL1-8 ranks #21, rated 2.6/5, and costs $444.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The JBL COL600 is the more accurate choice. Manufacturer measurements give a 6.11 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and a 2.1dB reference band from a 598mm column only 93mm deep. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.64 against -0.38 for the Yamaha VXL1-8. The catch: Bass measures 106Hz at -3dB and about 78Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 111dB, so it is for speech and background music.
The case for the Yamaha VXL1-8: A slim column speaker for commercial installations with eight 1.5” drivers in a line array. The tradeoff: Bass is very limited, so it needs a subwoofer, and the on-axis response is very uneven (2.37 average deviation).
Buy the JBL COL600. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Yamaha VXL1-8 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL COL600 | Yamaha VXL1-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $386.00 Passive | $444.99 each Passive |
| Ranked | #13 of 23 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers | #21 of 23 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers |
| Rigging | M6 inserts on top, bottom and sides; wall and L-brackets included | Wall mount bracket included |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | Passive slim column (8 ohm or 70V/100V) | - |
| Drivers | 2x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 1x 1” tweeter | 8x 1.5” full-range drivers (line array) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 23.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (598 x 102 x 93 mm) | - |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | - |
| Power Handling | 80W continuous pink noise (320W peak) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 160° x 110°, 10° down-tilt | - |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m) | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | - |
| DSP | No (passive) | - |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 106Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 77.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.64 | -0.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.11 | 4.48 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: JBL COL600 (measured by the manufacturer) and Yamaha VXL1-8 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
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- JBL CBT 70J-1 vs JBL COL600
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 COL600: $386.00 Passive B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the JBL COL800 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: Manufacturer measurements give a 6.11 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and a 2.1dB reference band from a 598mm column only 93mm deep. Two racetrack woofers and a 1-inch tweeter give 160° x 110° coverage with a 10° downward tilt, and a 70V/100V transformer or 8 ohm direct mode suits restaurants, shops and meeting rooms. Measured bass extension of 106Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass measures 106Hz at -3dB and about 78Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 111dB, so it is for speech and background music. The data is manufacturer supplied, rated low quality, and the standalone score is 2.64.
Full JBL COL600 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 77.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 106Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive slim column (8 ohm or 70V/100V) |
| Coverage | 160° x 110°, 10° down-tilt |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 23.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (598 x 102 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 1x 1” tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 80W continuous pink noise (320W peak) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | M6 inserts on top, bottom and sides; wall and L-brackets included |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.11 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha VXL1-8: $444.99 each Passive Amazon eBay
Same family: the Yamaha VXL1-16 (larger model, ranked lower, estimated 2.6/5) and the Yamaha VXL1-24 (larger model, ranked lower, rated 2.5/5).
Pros: A slim column speaker for commercial installations with eight 1.5” drivers in a line array. Yamaha’s measurements show a preference score of -0.38 that reaches 4.48 with an ideal subwoofer, with 0.69 listening window deviation.
Cons: Bass is very limited, so it needs a subwoofer, and the on-axis response is very uneven (2.37 average deviation). The data comes from Yamaha.
Full Yamaha VXL1-8 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Drivers | 8x 1.5” full-range drivers (line array) |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Rigging | Wall mount bracket included |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -0.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.48 |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons