Short answer: the JBL Control 1 Pro. It ranks #46 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $164; the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 ranks #48 and costs $249, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JBL Control 1 Pro: Magnetically shielded transducers and a rugged molded enclosure make it a durable choice for wall-mount or install use, with SonicGuard overload protection built into the crossover. The tradeoff: Sound power and predicted in-room response measurements are badly uneven compared to the JBL 305P Mark II tested alongside it.
What the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 gets right: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. The catch: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz.
Buy the JBL Control 1 Pro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 56 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Control 1 Pro | Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $164 | $249.00 |
| Ranked | #46 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5.25" low frequency driver, 0.75" polycarbonate dome tweeter | 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25" planar bass radiator |
| Dimensions | 9.3H x 6.3W x 5.6D in | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg each | 7.3 lbs / 3.29 kg each |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz -10dB (Manufacturer specified) | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 150W | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | passive radiator |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Stage A120 vs Polk T15
- Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Polk T15
- Micca RB42 vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- Polk T15 vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Control 1 Pro: $164 Parts Express
Pros: Magnetically shielded transducers and a rugged molded enclosure make it a durable choice for wall-mount or install use, with SonicGuard overload protection built into the crossover. Feels solidly built despite the low price, and the professional crossover network uses steep slopes.
Cons: Sound power and predicted in-room response measurements are badly uneven compared to the JBL 305P Mark II tested alongside it, with no waveguide to control directivity as the woofer beams before handing off to the tweeter. The reviewer performed no distortion or dedicated listening test on this unit and concluded he didn’t “think there is a reason to purchase it” over a proper studio monitor at a similar price.
Full JBL Control 1 Pro review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 9.3H x 6.3W x 5.6D in |
| Drivers | 5.25" low frequency driver, 0.75" polycarbonate dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz -10dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 150W |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Polk T15
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Fluance Signature HFS
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs JBL Stage A130
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Q Acoustics 5020
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Micca RB42
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Klipsch R-41M
- See all 12 comparisons
Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000: $249.00 Amazon
Pros: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. Ships with a footer that keeps the small cabinet planted despite its light weight.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz. Distortion at 96dB SPL was so bad the reviewer limited testing to 86dB. Direct comparison to a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR left the reviewer calling the $500/pair ProMonitor 1000 “a bad experiment that should be forgotten” and concluding “there is nothing Pro about it.”
Full Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in |
| Drivers | 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25" planar bass radiator |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.29 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Polk T15
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs JBL Stage A130
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Klipsch R-41M
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Micca RB42
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- See all 10 comparisons