Short answer: the JBL COL800. It ranks #11 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).
The case for the JBL COL800: Manufacturer measurements give a 6.34 preference score with an ideal subwoofer from a slim 93mm-deep column that blends into a wall. Watch for: Bass measures 115Hz at -3dB and about 86Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 116dB, so it suits speech and background music rather than loud programs.
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 COL800. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Coda Audio CoRay4.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL COL800 | Coda Audio CoRay4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $577.00 | - |
| Ranked | #11 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers | #13 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive slim column (8 ohm or 70V/100V) | Passive 2-way line source column (requires Coda controller) |
| Drivers | 4x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 2x 0.8” tweeters | 2x 4” neodymium planar wave drivers, 4x 5” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 85Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 31.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (800 x 102 x 93 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 | 150W continuous pink noise (600W peak) | 700W AES / 2,800W peak |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 144dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 160° x 60°, 10° down-tilt | 120°, 60° or 90° asymmetric horizontal x 12° vertical |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m) | 97dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 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) | 115Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 82.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 85.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 71.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.67 | 1.96 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.34 | 5.04 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL COL800 compares with other leading options:
- Alcons Audio QRP40 vs JBL COL800
- Alcons Audio QRP20 vs JBL COL800
- L-Acoustics SOKA vs JBL COL800
- JBL CBT 70J-1 vs JBL COL800
- JBL COL800 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 COL800: $577.00 Passive B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Manufacturer measurements give a 6.34 preference score with an ideal subwoofer from a slim 93mm-deep column that blends into a wall. Four racetrack woofers and two tweeters give wide 160° horizontal coverage with a built-in 10° downward tilt, and a 70V/100V transformer or 8 ohm direct mode suits distributed systems. Measured bass extension of 115Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass measures 115Hz at -3dB and about 86Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 116dB, so it suits speech and background music rather than loud programs. The data is manufacturer supplied, rated low quality, and the standalone score is 2.67.
Full JBL COL800 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 85.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 115Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive slim column (8 ohm or 70V/100V) |
| Coverage | 160° x 60°, 10° down-tilt |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 31.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (800 x 102 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 2x 0.8” tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 85Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous pink noise (600W peak) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.34 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 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