Short answer: the Pioneer Elite for Atmos flexibility, the JBL for installs, though neither ranks well in its class. The Pioneer pairs a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver designed by Andrew Jones, but a wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound dull without EQ and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier. The Control 1 Pro is the tougher install piece, but its sound power and in-room response are badly uneven. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 178 bookshelf speakers, and the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini, ranked #2 at $900, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Buy the JBL Control 1 Pro. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
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.
Parts Express $240 eBay
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.
eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Control 1 Pro | Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $240 per pair | $749 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #162 of 178 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #169 of 178 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 64.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45.9Hz (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 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.87 | 3.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 | 5.53 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: JBL Control 1 Pro (measured by Audio Science Review) and Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Control 1 Pro compares with other leading options: