Short answer: the JBL Control 29AV-1, if you are buying new. The JBL Control X Wireless ranks higher than it (#1 vs #9 of 13 outdoor speakers, 4.1/5 vs 3.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Control 29AV-1 is still sold new at $1,144.
The JBL Control X Wireless is the more accurate pick. 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. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.51 against 2.24 for the JBL Control 29AV-1. The catch: Bass rolls off rapidly below 66Hz (-6dB) and battery life is modest at around 4 hours at moderate volume.
The JBL Control 29AV-1 is the deeper-bass pick. 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 bass reaches about 54.2Hz before falling 3dB, against 75.5Hz for the JBL Control X Wireless. 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.
Buy the JBL Control 29AV-1 if you want one new; the JBL Control X Wireless is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Control X Wireless | JBL Control 29AV-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.95 per pair Discontinued | $1,144 per pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 13 in Outdoor Speakers | #9 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 | 8” (200mm) Kevlar cone woofer, 1” (25mm) titanium diaphragm compression driver on rotatable 110° x 85° horn |
| 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 | Ported high-impact polystyrene, all-weather |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 6.5”W x 6.3”D (235 x 165 x 159 mm) | 20.5”H x 12”W x 10.9”D (520 x 306 x 277 mm) |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) | 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 54.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 66.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 48.3Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.51 | 2.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.35 | 4.50 |
| Sensitivity | - | 90dB |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | - | 300W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to 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 OSD Audio AP650
- See all 11 comparisons
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 JBL Control 25T
- See all 11 comparisons