JBL CBT 100LA-1 - 325W 16 x 2-inch Passive 70V/100V Column Loudspeaker with 150 x 15/40-Degree Coverage in Black Finish

The JBL Professional CBT 100LA-1 is a high-performance passive column loudspeaker designed to deliver exceptional sound coverage and clarity in a variety of challenging acoustic environments. Utilizing JBL's patent-pending Constant Beamwidth Technology (CBT), the CBT 100LA-1 provides superior pattern control, reducing the typical vertical beaming and out-of-coverage lobing associated with conventional column speakers. This speaker is ideal for lecture halls, transit centers, conference rooms, cathedrals, multipurpose spaces, and architectural settings, as well as in-wall recessed locations where reliable and even coverage is required.

The CBT 100LA-1 features a sleek and compact design with a 100 cm (39.4 inches) tall line array, providing consistent vertical coverage throughout the intelligibility band. Its innovative design allows users to easily switch between narrow (15°) and broad (40°) vertical coverage settings, making it versatile for medium-throw and long-throw applications. The ability to adjust the vertical coverage ensures optimal sound performance, matching the coverage and throw requirements of the application. This feature allows a single loudspeaker model to excel in a wide range of project types and venues.

The speaker offers both a Music and Speech setting, allowing for flexible voicing to match the acoustics of the environment. The Music setting provides a flat frequency response, while the Speech setting boosts mid-range frequencies to enhance speech intelligibility, especially at long distances. This makes the CBT 100LA-1 a perfect solution for environments where both music and speech clarity are needed, such as auditoriums, public spaces, and worship venues.

Inside the CBT 100LA-1, you'll find 16 x 2-inch drivers with dual neodymium magnets, which provide a lightweight yet powerful audio output. These drivers feature copper-capped pole pieces, which reduce driver inductance and flux modulation, resulting in increased high-frequency extension and reduced distortion. The drivers also include butyl rubber surrounds, ensuring long life even in high humidity environments. The entire speaker system is weather-treated, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations. The fiberglass reinforced ABS cabinet and stainless steel external screws provide durability, and the painted aluminum grille resists rusting, ensuring the speaker can withstand the harshest conditions.

The CBT 100LA-1 incorporates Dynamic SonicGuard, which limits low-frequency excursion dynamically, minimizing distortion at high drive levels and ensuring the drivers remain protected from potential damage caused by overpowering. This ensures the speaker performs consistently, even under high-volume conditions.

Installation is flexible, with the included swivel (pan)/tilt wall-mount bracket allowing the speaker to be adjusted horizontally by up to 50° and vertically by up to 15°, offering maximum versatility for different installation needs. The speaker also features 18 M6 mounting inserts on the back panel, which are compatible with third-party mounting brackets or can be used with forged shoulder steel eyebolts for suspension. The speaker is designed to work seamlessly with additional JBL products, such as the MTC-PC2 panel cover and MTC-CBT-FMI flush-mount bracket, ensuring that it can be integrated into a variety of setups.

With its superior sound quality, excellent pattern control, and flexible installation options, the JBL Professional CBT 100LA-1 is an ideal solution for environments where high-performance, reliable sound coverage is essential. Whether for speech, music, or a combination of both, the CBT 100LA-1 delivers consistent and clear sound across a wide range of applications.

Features

• 325W power handling with 1300W peak for powerful, clear audio
• 16 x 2-inch drivers with dual neodymium magnets for lightweight, high-output performance
• Patent-pending Constant Beamwidth Technology provides consistent vertical coverage and reduced lobing
• Switchable vertical coverage between 15° for long-throw and 40° for medium-throw applications
• Music/Speech switch for customizable voicing with flat response or enhanced mid-range presence boost
• Dynamic SonicGuard overload protection to reduce distortion at high drive levels
• Weather-treated drivers and durable fiberglass reinforced ABS cabinet for outdoor and indoor use
• IP-55 rated for outdoor durability, with UV, moisture, and acid-air/salt-spray resistance
• Maximum SPL of 121 dB (speech mode) and 118 dB (music mode) for exceptional sound clarity
• Built-in 70V/100V transformer with multiple tap options for flexible installation
• Dimensions: 39.4 x 3.8 x 6 inches, weight: 15.8 lbs
• Included accessories: Swivel (pan)/tilt wall bracket
• Optional accessories: MTC-PC2 terminal panel cover, MTC-CBT-FMI flush mount low-profile wall-mount bracket, MTC-CBT-SMB1 stand-mount bracket

Specifications

System

• Frequency Range (-10 dB): 80 Hz - 20 kHz
• Vertical Coverage:
  • Narrow Mode: 15° (2 kHz - 16 kHz) (+10°)
  • Broad Mode: 40° (1 kHz - 16 kHz) (+10°)
• Horizontal: 1.5° (ave, 1 kHz - 4 kHz, z=0°)
• Sensitivity (2.83V@1m):
  • Narrow: (speech mode) 96 dB (2 kHz - 14 kHz)
  • Narrow: (music mode) 93 db (300 Hz - 18 kHz)
  • Broad: (music mode) 93 dB (300 Hz - 18 kHz)
  • Broad: (speech mode) 90 dB (300 Hz - 18 kHz)
• Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms (in Thru mode)
• Power Capacity:
  • 325 W (1300W peak), 2 hrs
  • 200 W (800W peak), 100 hrs (8 ohm setting)
• Max SPL:
  • Narrow: (speech mode) 121 dB cont ave (127 peak)
  • Narrow: (music mode) 118 dB cont ave (124 peak)
  • Broad: (music mode) 118 dB cont ave (124 peak)
  • Broad: (music mode) 115 dB cont ave (121 peak)
• 70V/100V Transformer Taps: 120W, 60W, 30W, (15W at 70V only), and 8Ω thru, via switch

Physical

• Enclosure: Fiberglass reinforced ABS cabinet, painted aluminum grille
• Outdoor Capability: IP-55 rated, per IEC529, when installed with optional MTC-PC2 panel cover. UV, moisture, and 200-hr ASTM G53 acid-air/salt-spray resistant.
• Colors: Black or White (-WH)
• Insert Points: 18 M6 insert points on back panel
• Mounting: Included swivel (pan)/tilt wall bracket provides continuously variable +/- 50 degree left-right swivel aiming (at no up/down tilt); see Bracket Guide for maximum swivel range at various up/down tilt angles, continuously adjustable +/- 15 degree tilt, as well as 5 degree fixed increment positions. Eighteen threaded mounting points located on back panel conform to industry standard rectangular 108 x 51 mm (4.25 x 2.0 in) pattern for OmniMount 30 and other compatible third-party brackets. Threaded mounting points can be utilized for suspension.
• Dimensions: 39.4 x 3.8 x 6 inches
• Net Weight: 15.8 lbs
• Included Accessories: Swivel (pan) / tilt wall bracket
• Optional Accessories: MTC-PC2 terminal panel cover, MTC-CBT-FMI flush mount low-profile wall-mount bracket, MTC-CBT-SMB1 Stand-Mount Bracket for use with 35 mm speaker stand