Short answer: the L-Acoustics SOKA for better sound quality, the JBL CBT 70J-1 for the lower price. The L-Acoustics SOKA ranks #10 of 33 column and line array PA speakers, rated 3.5/5, at $5,400. The JBL CBT 70J-1 ranks #11, rated 3.4/5, at $1,480, $3,920 cheaper.
What the L-Acoustics SOKA does well: An ultra-shallow passive column only about 10cm deep, with very wide coverage and high output that hides against a wall. The catch: Bass reaches only about 128Hz (-3dB), so it needs a subwoofer or a bass companion, and it is passive, so it requires L-Acoustics amplified controllers.
What the JBL CBT 70J-1 does well: A passive column with switchable vertical coverage for long or medium rooms, a speech or music switch, and a wall bracket included. Watch for: Bass measures 120Hz at -3dB and about 62Hz at -10dB, and the standalone score is only 2.95, so it needs a subwoofer for music.
Buy the L-Acoustics SOKA if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL CBT 70J-1 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| L-Acoustics SOKA | JBL CBT 70J-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,400 Passive | $1,480.00 Passive |
| Ranked | #10 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers | #11 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 6 x M6 inserts | 10 x M6 rear inserts; swivel/tilt wall bracket included |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way ultra-shallow line source | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column |
| Drivers | 9x 3.5” neodymium cone drivers, 3x 1” neodymium compression drivers | 4x 5” neodymium woofers, 16x 1” neodymium tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 41.9”H x 3.9”W x 4.1”D (1065 x 99 x 104 mm) | 27.3”H x 6.7”W x 9.3”D (694 x 170 x 237 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (L-Acoustics amplified controller) | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Maximum SPL | 133dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 131dB peak (narrow, speech mode, manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 140° horizontal, +5°/-21° vertical | Switchable 25° or 45° vertical |
| DSP | No (passive; processing comes from the amplified controller) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 128Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 120.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.21 | 2.95 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.99 | 5.87 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 500W (2,000W peak) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 61.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
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