JBL
JBL CBT 1000
Best professional column speaker for challenging acoustic environments and outdoor venues.
The JBL CBT 1000 is an advanced line array column speaker featuring Constant Beamwidth Technology™ for superior and consistent vertical coverage. It utilizes patented analog beam-forming to avoid typical beaming and lobing issues found in traditional column speakers. With adjustable vertical coverage and a tapered horizontal waveguide, it offers enhanced aiming versatility to accurately map sound to room geometry. The asymmetrical coverage settings ensure more even front-to-back SPL levels, while the independently adjustable vertical patterns provide sixteen different coverage combinations without external DSP. Its two-way coaxial design delivers a wide 45 Hz – 20 kHz bandwidth, and the robust aluminum grille allows for outdoor installation.
$3075.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
578
/ 8447
#578 in Speakers
Price vs Category Average
+110%
Above average
Components
61656.524251
/ Six () mm ( in) LF drivers; Twenty-four () mm ( in) HF drivers
Who it's for
- Audio engineers managing difficult, echo-prone acoustic environments
- Public speakers needing crystal-clear vocal clarity in large spaces
- Venue managers requiring scalable audio for diverse event layouts
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious organizations with limited capital for audio upgrades
- DIY installers lacking specialized acoustic engineering expertise
- Designers prioritizing minimalist or hidden architectural aesthetics
Performance breakdown
Beamforming Precision
Patented analog beam-forming eliminates typical lobing for exceptionally consistent vertical coverage.
Acoustic Versatility
Sixteen coverage combinations allow for precise sound mapping without external DSP.
SPL Output
Delivers massive 131 dB output capable of filling large, demanding acoustic spaces.
Environmental Durability
IP-55 rating ensures reliable performance in challenging outdoor and weather-exposed installations.
Installation Flexibility
Fourteen mounting points and included swivel brackets simplify complex wall-mount configurations.
Frequency Range
Broad 45 Hz to 20 kHz bandwidth provides full-range audio clarity.
Key Specs
Components
Six (6) 165 mm (6.5 in) LF drivers; Twenty-four (24) 25 mm (1 in) HF drivers
Frequency Range (-10 DB)
45 Hz – 20 kHz
Sensitivity
102 dB
Nominal Impedance
4 ohms
Power Capacity
1500 W (6000 W peak), 2 hrs; 1000 W (4000 W peak), 100 hrs
Maximum Input Voltage
65.0 Volts RMS (2 hrs), 130.0 Volts Peak
Max SPL (highest directivity setting, Speech voicing)
131 dB continuous average pink noise
Vertical Coverage Settings
Sixteen (16) different coverage combinations
Features
- Constant Beamwidth Technology™ for consistent directivity
- Adjustable vertical pattern coverage with 16 combinations
- Asymmetrical vertical settings for improved front-to-back SPL consistency
- Patent-pending Tapered Horizontal Waveguide for continuously varying horizontal dispersion
- Switchable voicing for music or speech modes
- High sound pressure levels up to 131 dB continuous average
- Durable construction with fiberglass reinforced ABS and aluminum grille for outdoor capability
- Integrated mounting points for versatile installation
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the JBL CBT 1000 for its exceptional sound quality, particularly its clear and consistent audio coverage across large spaces. Users frequently highlight its robust and reliable performance, making it a trusted choice for demanding professional installations. The speaker's ability to deliver powerful, articulate sound without distortion, even at high volumes, is a recurring positive point, underscoring its premium build and acoustic engineering. This combination of superior audio fidelity and dependable operation solidifies its reputation among audio professionals.
Know before you buy
Yes, the speaker is built for outdoor use with an IP-55 rating. It features a durable fiberglass-reinforced ABS cabinet and a powder-coated aluminum grille to withstand environmental exposure.
This technology uses analog beam-forming to maintain consistent sound coverage across the entire frequency range. It prevents the common 'beaming' or 'lobing' issues found in standard column speakers, ensuring the audio sounds the same regardless of where you are standing in the room.
No, you do not need external DSP. The speaker allows you to choose between sixteen different vertical coverage combinations using built-in switches, making it easy to tailor the sound to your specific room geometry.
Yes, the CBT 1000 includes switchable voicing modes. You can toggle between music and speech settings to optimize the frequency response for the specific type of audio being played.
The speaker comes with a two-part swivel and tilt wall bracket included in the box. Additionally, it features fourteen M8 threaded mounting points on the back panel for flexible installation options.
The tapered horizontal waveguide provides continuously varying horizontal dispersion. This design helps ensure that sound is distributed evenly across the listening area, rather than being concentrated in a narrow, unnatural beam.
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$3075