Short answer: the L-Acoustics SOKA on measured sound quality, the JBL COL600 on price. The L-Acoustics SOKA ranks #10 of 33 column and line array PA speakers, rated 3.5/5, at $5,400. The JBL COL600 ranks #16, rated 3.3/5, at $386, $5,014 cheaper.
The L-Acoustics SOKA is the more accurate choice. An ultra-shallow passive column only about 10cm deep, with very wide coverage and high output that hides against a wall. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.21 against 2.64 for the JBL COL600. Watch for: 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.
The JBL COL600 is the deeper-bass pick. A slim, compact column for restaurants, shops and meeting rooms, with wide coverage and a transformer for distributed systems. Its bass reaches about 106Hz before falling 3dB, against 128Hz for the L-Acoustics SOKA. The tradeoff: Bass measures 106Hz at -3dB and about 78Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 111dB, so it is for speech and background music.
Buy the L-Acoustics SOKA if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL COL600 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| L-Acoustics SOKA | JBL COL600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,400 Passive | $386.00 Passive |
| Ranked | #10 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers | #16 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 6 x M6 inserts | M6 inserts on top, bottom and sides; wall and L-brackets included |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way ultra-shallow line source | Passive slim column (8 ohm or 70V/100V) |
| Drivers | 9x 3.5” neodymium cone drivers, 3x 1” neodymium compression drivers | 2x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 1x 1” tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 41.9”H x 3.9”W x 4.1”D (1065 x 99 x 104 mm) | 23.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (598 x 102 x 93 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (L-Acoustics amplified controller) | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Maximum SPL | 133dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 140° horizontal, +5°/-21° vertical | 160° x 110°, 10° down-tilt |
| DSP | No (passive; processing comes from the amplified controller) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 128Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 106Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.21 | 2.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.99 | 6.11 |
| 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 | - | 80W continuous pink noise (320W peak) |
| Sensitivity | - | 86dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 77.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for L-Acoustics SOKA: