The JBL Synthesis 800 Array ranks #119 out of 222 total Large Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.
Brand: JBL
Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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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#119 JBL Synthesis 800 Array: $6,000 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: A compact JBL Synthesis three-way with an 8-inch woofer and a horn-loaded compression driver sitting on top, for high, clean output from a stand-mount box. Published measurements give scores of 5.52 on its own and 7.34 with an ideal subwoofer, higher than the larger JBL Synthesis 1400 Array. Measured bass extension of 35.8Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Discontinued and found only used. Directivity varies a lot (4.12dB), so room reflections sound different from the direct sound, bass reaches 60.5Hz at -3dB, and the measurement data is low quality.
| Released | 2006 (20 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 35.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.5Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 29.3”H x 10.7”W x 14”D (743 x 273 x 356 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 175Nd compression driver on a horn, 045Ti ultra-high-frequency driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 40kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 39.7 lbs (18 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Frequency Response
How the JBL Synthesis 800 Array measures across the audible range. A flatter listening window (the sound arriving straight at you) is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. The estimated in-room response adds what a typical room does, and there a gentle, even tilt down toward the treble is ideal. Both curves are shifted so their 300 Hz to 3 kHz average sits at 0 dB.
Measurement data: spinorama.org, measured by an independent reviewer.
EQ for a Neutral Response
No EQ preset: the best simple EQ we can fit to these measurements improves the predicted preference score by less than 0.2. The listening window is already close to flat, and what holds the score back, such as narrow ripple in the response or uneven output off-axis, is not something EQ can fix without making it worse elsewhere.