Short answer: the JBL Control 1 Pro. It ranks #46 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $164; the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR ranks #51 and costs $749, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the JBL Control 1 Pro side: 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. Set against that: Sound power and predicted in-room response measurements are badly uneven compared to the JBL 305P Mark II tested alongside it.
What the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR gets right: Unique dual-driver design combines a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver in one cabinet, designed by Andrew Jones. The catch: A wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound “somewhat dull” without EQ, and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier.
Buy the JBL Control 1 Pro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR 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 | Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $164 | $749 pair, discontinued |
| Ranked | #46 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Drivers | 5.25" low frequency driver, 0.75" polycarbonate dome tweeter | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4" aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1" silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Dimensions | 9.3H x 6.3W x 5.6D in | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg each | 15.7 lbs / 7.1 kg each |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz -10dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | below 4 ohms minimum |
| Power Handling | 150W | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | - |
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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 Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- 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 Q Acoustics 3020i
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Klipsch R-41M
- See all 12 comparisons
Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR: $749 pair, discontinued
Pros: Unique dual-driver design combines a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver in one cabinet, designed by Andrew Jones. With corrective EQ applied, the reviewer found “substantially more brilliance and detail,” and the up-firing Atmos driver produced “remarkable” spatial effects from a single box.
Cons: A wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound “somewhat dull” without EQ, and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier. Distortion is elevated at the crossover points, around 180Hz and 2600Hz. Amir concluded: “The hole in frequency response and high distortion around the crossover point rule out this speaker for any kind of hifi use, certainly at these prices.” Long discontinued.
Full Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4" aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1" silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Impedance | below 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs / 7.1 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Klipsch R-41M
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Polk T15
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs JBL Stage A130
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Micca RB42
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- See all 9 comparisons