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 JBL COL600 ranks #16, rated 3.3/5, at $386, $191 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the JBL COL800 does well: A slim column that blends into a wall, with very wide coverage and a transformer option for distributed speech and background music. 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.
What the JBL COL600 does well: A slim, compact column for restaurants, shops and meeting rooms, with wide coverage and a transformer for distributed systems. The tradeoff: Bass measures 106Hz at -3dB and about 78Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 111dB, so it is for speech and background music.
Buy the JBL COL800. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $191 with the JBL COL600 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL COL800 | JBL COL600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $577.00 Passive | $386.00 Passive |
| Ranked | #12 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers | #16 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers |
| Rigging | M6 inserts on back, top, bottom and sides; wall and L-brackets included | M6 inserts on top, bottom and sides; wall and L-brackets included |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | Passive slim column (8 ohm or 70V/100V) | Passive slim column (8 ohm or 70V/100V) |
| Drivers | 4x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 2x 0.8” tweeters | 2x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 1x 1” tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 85Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 31.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (800 x 102 x 93 mm) | 23.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (598 x 102 x 93 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous pink noise (600W peak) | 80W continuous pink noise (320W peak) |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 160° x 60°, 10° down-tilt | 160° x 110°, 10° down-tilt |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m) | 86dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 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 85.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 77.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.67 | 2.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.34 | 6.11 |
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