Short answer: the JBL Control 29AV-1. It ranks #9 of 13 outdoor speakers by sound quality (rated 3.0/5) at $1,144 and is still sold new; the JBL Control 25T ranks #13 (rated 2.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The JBL Control 29AV-1 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Exceptional bass extension for an outdoor cabinet, measuring down to 48.3Hz (-6dB) and 41Hz (-10dB) thanks to a heavy-duty 8” Kevlar woofer in a large ported enclosure. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.24 against 0.32 for the JBL Control 25T. Its bass reaches about 54.2Hz before falling 3dB, against 150Hz for the JBL Control 25T. The catch: Uneven raw frequency response through the crossover region and ragged on-axis treble yield a modest 2.24 preference score without DSP correction.
What the JBL Control 25T does well: Durable commercial outdoor construction with included InvisiBall multi-angle mounting system and built-in multi-tap 70V/100V transformer (30W, 15W, 7.5W taps). The tradeoff: Vendor spinorama measurements show a sharply band-limited frequency response optimized for commercial voice paging rather than music, yielding a low 0.32 preference score.
Buy the JBL Control 29AV-1. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Control 25T is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Control 29AV-1 | JBL Control 25T | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,144 per pair | $350 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #9 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers | #13 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers |
| Drivers | 8” (200mm) Kevlar cone woofer, 1” (25mm) titanium diaphragm compression driver on rotatable 110° x 85° horn | 5.25” (135mm) polypropylene coated woofer with WeatherEdge, 0.75” (19mm) titanium coated polycarbonate tweeter |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way | Passive 2-way |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | 88dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 300W | 150W |
| Enclosure | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather |
| Dimensions | 20.5”H x 12”W x 10.9”D (520 x 306 x 277 mm) | 9.3”H x 7.4”W x 5.9”D (236 x 188 x 149 mm) |
| Weight | 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 150.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 128.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 112.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.24 | 0.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.50 | 4.69 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Control 29AV-1 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Control X Wireless vs JBL Control 29AV-1
- Revel M80XC vs JBL Control 29AV-1
- Focal Chorus OD 706 V vs JBL Control 29AV-1
- Focal 100 OD6 vs JBL Control 29AV-1
- Revel M55XC vs JBL Control 29AV-1
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Control 29AV-1: $1,144 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Exceptional bass extension for an outdoor cabinet, measuring down to 48.3Hz (-6dB) and 41Hz (-10dB) thanks to a heavy-duty 8” Kevlar woofer in a large ported enclosure. Massive 300W power handling and high 90dB sensitivity deliver huge SPL capability outdoors. Built-in 70V/100V transformer with 8-ohm bypass and rotatable high-frequency horn. Measured bass extension of 54.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Uneven raw frequency response through the crossover region and ragged on-axis treble yield a modest 2.24 preference score without DSP correction. Very large and heavy (12.2 kg per box), making wall mounting demanding.
Full JBL Control 29AV-1 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
| Dimensions | 20.5”H x 12”W x 10.9”D (520 x 306 x 277 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (200mm) Kevlar cone woofer, 1” (25mm) titanium diaphragm compression driver on rotatable 110° x 85° horn |
| Enclosure | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 300W |
| Sensitivity | 90dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.50 |
| Weight | 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs JBL Control X
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs OSD Audio AP650
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs Polk Audio Atrium 4
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs JBL Stage XD-5
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs RSL Outsider II
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs JBL Control 25-1
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs Revel M55XC
- JBL Control 29AV-1 vs Focal 100 OD6
- See all 11 comparisons
JBL Control 25T: $350 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Control 25-1, ranked higher, estimated 2.4/5.
Pros: Durable commercial outdoor construction with included InvisiBall multi-angle mounting system and built-in multi-tap 70V/100V transformer (30W, 15W, 7.5W taps). High durability and weather resistance against humidity and salt air. Measured bass extension of 150.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Vendor spinorama measurements show a sharply band-limited frequency response optimized for commercial voice paging rather than music, yielding a low 0.32 preference score. Bass roll-off begins early at 128Hz (-6dB), and the model is superseded by the Control 25-1. Discontinued.
Full JBL Control 25T review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 112.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 150.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 128.0Hz (measured, JBL vendor data on spinorama.org) |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 7.4”W x 5.9”D (236 x 188 x 149 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (135mm) polypropylene coated woofer with WeatherEdge, 0.75” (19mm) titanium coated polycarbonate tweeter |
| Enclosure | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 150W |
| Sensitivity | 88dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.69 |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons