Short answer: the JBL COL800. It ranks #12 of 33 column and line array PA speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $577; the Coda Audio CoRay4 ranks #26, rated 3.0/5, and costs $2,380, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL COL800 is the more accurate pick. A slim column that blends into a wall, with very wide coverage and a transformer option for distributed speech and background music. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.67 against 1.96 for the Coda Audio CoRay4. 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 Coda Audio CoRay4 is the deeper-bass pick. A touring and installation column with planar wave drivers and very high peak output, and columns link into longer arrays for big venues. Its bass reaches about 82.5Hz before falling 3dB, against 115Hz for the JBL COL800. The tradeoff: 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 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL COL800 | Coda Audio CoRay4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $577.00 Passive | $2,380 Passive |
| Ranked | #12 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers | #26 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers |
| Rigging | M6 inserts on back, top, bottom and sides; wall and L-brackets included | CODA mobile suspension and flange adapter; optional CF4 flying frame |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
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