Short answer: the JBL Control 25-1, if you are buying new. The JBL Control X Wireless ranks higher than it (#1 vs #12 of 13 outdoor speakers, 4.1/5 vs 2.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Control 25-1 is still sold new at $470.
The JBL Control X Wireless is the better-sounding option. Spinorama measurements on spinorama.org yield a preference score of 4.51 (7.35 with a subwoofer) with smooth predicted in-room response (0.655 smoothness) and tightly controlled directivity (SPDI deviation 3.14dB) from JBL’s High Definition Imaging waveguide. Watch for: Bass rolls off rapidly below 66Hz (-6dB) and battery life is modest at around 4 hours at moderate volume.
Why pick the JBL Control 25-1: Direct successor to the long-standing Control 25T with an upgraded 5.25” woven-fiberglass cone woofer, 0.75” PEI diaphragm fluid-cooled tweeter, and wider 100° x 100° constant directivity coverage. Watch for: Compact commercial form factor and voice-optimized voicing limit deep bass extension, with low-end rolling off rapidly below 85Hz (-3dB) and 60Hz (-10dB).
Buy the JBL Control 25-1 if you want one new; the JBL Control X Wireless is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Control X Wireless | JBL Control 25-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.95 per pair Discontinued | $470.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers | #12 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers |
| Drivers | 5.25” (133mm) polypropylene graphite-filled cone woofer, 1” (25mm) CMMD Lite dome tweeter with High Definition Imaging (HDI) waveguide | 5.25” (135mm) woven-fiberglass cone woofer with WeatherEdge, 0.75” (19mm) PEI diaphragm tweeter with fluid cooling |
| Amplifier Power | 30W Class-D per speaker | - |
| Configuration | Active 2-way | Passive 2-way |
| Bluetooth | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 | - |
| Battery Life | 4 hours | - |
| Enclosure | Ported, rear Slipstream port | High impact polystyrene (HIPS), IP44 weather-resistant |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 6.5”W x 6.3”D (235 x 165 x 159 mm) | 9.6”H x 7.4”W x 5.7”D (243 x 188 x 145 mm) |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) | 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 66.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.51 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.35 | - |
| Sensitivity | - | 90dB (1W @ 1m) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | - | 100W continuous / 200W program |
| Coverage | - | 100° x 100° |
| Frequency Response | - | 85Hz - 17kHz (+/- 3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response (-10dB) | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Control X Wireless:
- JBL Control X Wireless vs Revel M80XC
- JBL Control X Wireless vs Focal Chorus OD 706 V
- JBL Control X Wireless vs Focal 100 OD6
- JBL Control X Wireless vs Revel M55XC
- JBL Control X Wireless vs RSL Outsider II
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 X Wireless: $499.95 per pair Active Discontinued eBay
Pros: Spinorama measurements on spinorama.org yield a preference score of 4.51 (7.35 with a subwoofer) with smooth predicted in-room response (0.655 smoothness) and tightly controlled directivity (SPDI deviation 3.14dB) from JBL’s High Definition Imaging waveguide. Independent built-in 30W Class-D bi-amplification and wireless stereo Bluetooth operation make it fully self-contained for patio or outdoor listening without running speaker wire or needing an external amplifier. Measured bass extension of 75.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off rapidly below 66Hz (-6dB) and battery life is modest at around 4 hours at moderate volume. The model is discontinued so availability is restricted to existing stock or the pre-owned market. High-frequency extension drops off above 16kHz on-axis.
Full JBL Control X Wireless review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W Class-D per speaker |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 66.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Battery Life | 4 hours |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Configuration | Active 2-way |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 6.5”W x 6.3”D (235 x 165 x 159 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (133mm) polypropylene graphite-filled cone woofer, 1” (25mm) CMMD Lite dome tweeter with High Definition Imaging (HDI) waveguide |
| Enclosure | Ported, rear Slipstream port |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.35 |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Control X Wireless vs Revel M80XC
- JBL Control X Wireless vs Focal Chorus OD 706 V
- JBL Control X Wireless vs Focal 100 OD6
- JBL Control X Wireless vs Revel M55XC
- JBL Control X Wireless vs RSL Outsider II
- JBL Control X Wireless vs JBL Stage XD-5
- JBL Control X Wireless vs JBL Control X
- JBL Control X Wireless vs JBL Control 29AV-1
- See all 11 comparisons
JBL Control 25-1: $470.00 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Control 25T (ranked lower, rated 2.2/5).
Pros: Direct successor to the long-standing Control 25T with an upgraded 5.25” woven-fiberglass cone woofer, 0.75” PEI diaphragm fluid-cooled tweeter, and wider 100° x 100° constant directivity coverage. Solid 200W program power handling (8-ohm bypass) and built-in 30W multi-tap 70V/100V transformer provide versatile commercial integration. WeatherEdge enclosure design achieves an IP44 outdoor rating with dependable InvisiBall mounting hardware.
Cons: Compact commercial form factor and voice-optimized voicing limit deep bass extension, with low-end rolling off rapidly below 85Hz (-3dB) and 60Hz (-10dB). Full laboratory-grade Klippel NFS Spinorama directivity curves have not yet been published, so tonal linearity is estimated from lineage.
Full JBL Control 25-1 review and specifications →
| Configuration | Passive 2-way |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 100° x 100° |
| Dimensions | 9.6”H x 7.4”W x 5.7”D (243 x 188 x 145 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (135mm) woven-fiberglass cone woofer with WeatherEdge, 0.75” (19mm) PEI diaphragm tweeter with fluid cooling |
| Enclosure | High impact polystyrene (HIPS), IP44 weather-resistant |
| Frequency Response | 85Hz - 17kHz (+/- 3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response (-10dB) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 100W continuous / 200W program |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (1W @ 1m) |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Control 25-1 vs Polk Audio Atrium 4
- JBL Control 25-1 vs JBL Control 25T
- JBL Control 25-1 vs OSD Audio AP650
- JBL Control 25-1 vs JBL Control 29AV-1
- JBL Control 25-1 vs JBL Control X
- JBL Control 25-1 vs JBL Stage XD-5
- JBL Control 25-1 vs RSL Outsider II
- JBL Control 25-1 vs Revel M55XC
- See all 11 comparisons