The JBL CBT 1000 is rated 4.1/5 for sound quality, #3 of 33 Column and Line Array PA Speakers. See all PA & Live Sound rankings for every top pick.
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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Brand: JBL
#3 JBL CBT 1000: $3,075.00 Passive Amazon $3,075.00 B&H Photo Video $3,075.00 eBay
Same family: the JBL CBT 50LA-1 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 3.1/5), the JBL CBT 70J-1 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 3.4/5), the JBL CBT 100LA-1 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 3.1/5) and the JBL CBT 200LA-1 (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 3.2/5).
Pros: A passive column speaker with accurate, even sound across a wide audience and switchable vertical coverage for long rooms. Its 8.13 preference score with an ideal subwoofer is one of the highest of any PA speaker we list, and a 0.168 listening-window deviation shows a very even tonal balance for listeners across the coverage area. Six 6.5-inch woofers and 24 one-inch tweeters in JBL’s Constant Beamwidth design give switchable vertical coverage, 102dB sensitivity and a 1,500W rating. The optional CBT 1000E extension adds bass and throw. Measured bass extension of 115Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measurements are manufacturer supplied and spinorama rates their quality as low. On its own the standalone score is 4.67, and the measured bass response is uneven, reaching 115Hz at -3dB but about 48Hz at -10dB, so a subwoofer or the CBT 1000E helps. It is passive, weighs 24.5kg and needs an external amplifier.
Is the JBL CBT 1000 right for you?
Buy it if
- you want measurably neutral sound (preference score 8.1 with a subwoofer).
Skip it if
- you will not add a subwoofer: bass rolls off below about 115 Hz.
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 48.3Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 115Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way Constant Beamwidth Technology column |
| Coverage | Switchable vertical patterns, wide horizontal |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 40.2”H x 9.8”W x 13.6”D (1020 x 250 x 345 mm) |
| Drivers | 6x 6.5” neodymium woofers, 24x 1” neodymium tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 130dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 1,500W (6,000W peak) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 14 x M8 rear inserts; 4 x M8 top and bottom; wall bracket included |
| Sensitivity | 102dB (highest setting) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.13 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 54 lbs (24.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
Price history
$3,075 is about its usual price. The lowest we have tracked since Sep 2026 is $2,985, in Sep 2026.
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