Short answer: the L-Acoustics SOKA. It ranks #9 of 13 line array and installation pa speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5); the JBL COL800 ranks #11 (rated 3.4/5).
The case for the L-Acoustics SOKA: An ultra-shallow line source only about 10cm deep and 9.4kg that reaches 133dB with 140° horizontal coverage, which lets it hide against a wall or column. 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 COL800 does well: Manufacturer measurements give a 6.34 preference score with an ideal subwoofer from a slim 93mm-deep column that blends into a wall. The tradeoff: Bass measures 115Hz at -3dB and about 86Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 116dB, so it suits speech and background music rather than loud programs.
Buy the L-Acoustics SOKA. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL COL800.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| L-Acoustics SOKA | JBL COL800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $577.00 |
| Ranked | #9 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers | #11 of 13 in Line Array and Installation PA Speakers |
| 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 | 4x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 2x 0.8” tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 85Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 41.9”H x 3.9”W x 4.1”D (1065 x 99 x 104 mm) | 31.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (800 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) | 116dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 140° horizontal, +5°/-21° vertical | 160° x 60°, 10° down-tilt |
| DSP | No (passive; processing comes from the amplified controller) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 128Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 115Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.21 | 2.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.99 | 6.34 |
| 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 | - | 150W continuous pink noise (600W peak) |
| Sensitivity | - | 88dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 85.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How L-Acoustics SOKA compares with other leading options:
- Alcons Audio QRP40 vs L-Acoustics SOKA
- Alcons Audio QRP20 vs L-Acoustics SOKA
- L-Acoustics SOKA vs JBL CBT 70J-1
- L-Acoustics SOKA vs JBL COL600
- L-Acoustics SOKA vs Coda Audio CoRay4
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
L-Acoustics SOKA Passive eBay
Pros: An ultra-shallow line source only about 10cm deep and 9.4kg that reaches 133dB with 140° horizontal coverage, which lets it hide against a wall or column. Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 3.21 standalone and 6.99 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 128Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 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. Listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.348 and pricing is dealer quoted.
Full L-Acoustics SOKA review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (L-Acoustics amplified controller) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 128Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way ultra-shallow line source |
| Coverage | 140° horizontal, +5°/-21° vertical |
| DSP | No (passive; processing comes from the amplified controller) |
| Dimensions | 41.9”H x 3.9”W x 4.1”D (1065 x 99 x 104 mm) |
| Drivers | 9x 3.5” neodymium cone drivers, 3x 1” neodymium compression drivers |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 133dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.21 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.99 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL COL800: $577.00 Passive B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Manufacturer measurements give a 6.34 preference score with an ideal subwoofer from a slim 93mm-deep column that blends into a wall. Four racetrack woofers and two tweeters give wide 160° horizontal coverage with a built-in 10° downward tilt, and a 70V/100V transformer or 8 ohm direct mode suits distributed systems. Measured bass extension of 115Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass measures 115Hz at -3dB and about 86Hz at -10dB, and output tops out at 116dB, so it suits speech and background music rather than loud programs. The data is manufacturer supplied, rated low quality, and the standalone score is 2.67.
Full JBL COL800 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 85.6Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 115Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive slim column (8 ohm or 70V/100V) |
| Coverage | 160° x 60°, 10° down-tilt |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 31.5”H x 4”W x 3.7”D (800 x 102 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 5” x 2.25” racetrack woofers, 2x 0.8” tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 85Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous pink noise (600W peak) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.34 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons