Short answer: the L-Acoustics SOKA on measured sound quality, the JBL COL800 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 COL800 ranks #12, rated 3.4/5, at $577, $4,823 cheaper.
The L-Acoustics SOKA is the more accurate option. 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 2.67 for the JBL COL800. The tradeoff: 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 COL800 is the deeper-bass choice. A slim column that blends into a wall, with very wide coverage and a transformer option for distributed speech and background music. Its bass reaches about 115Hz before falling 3dB, against 128Hz for the L-Acoustics SOKA. The catch: 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 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL COL800 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete 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 COL800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,400 Passive | $577.00 Passive |
| Ranked | #10 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers | #12 of 33 in Column and Line Array PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 6 x M6 inserts | M6 inserts on back, 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 | 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) |
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