JBL Control 328CT - 250W 8-inch Passive 70V/100V Ceiling Loudspeaker with Pre-Attached Ported Baffle and 120-Degree Coverage in Black Finish

The JBL Professional Control 328CT is a high-performance 8-inch ceiling loudspeaker, designed to deliver exceptional sound clarity and consistent coverage for a wide range of professional audio applications. Featuring a coaxial point-source design, the Control 328CT is built for seamless integration into commercial, industrial, and residential environments where clear speech, detailed vocals, and extended music frequencies are essential. With 120° broadband pattern control, this loudspeaker provides expansive coverage, ensuring even sound distribution across large areas, whether installed vertically or horizontally.

At the heart of the Control 328CT is its innovative 8-inch Kevlar-reinforced low-frequency driver, designed to deliver excellent reliability and durability under high-power conditions. The high-temperature 2-inch voice coil offers excellent heat dissipation and minimal distortion, ensuring consistent performance even during prolonged usage. This low-frequency driver is coupled with a 25mm (1-inch) exit compression driver featuring a JBL 2412H-1 diaphragm. The high-frequency driver benefits from a pure titanium diaphragm for long-lasting durability, a diamond surround for resonance control, and FerroFluid for enhanced power handling. These features together ensure an extended high-frequency response, exceptional clarity, and natural midrange reproduction.

One of the standout features of the Control 328CT is its highly consistent 120° coverage, which ensures broad and uniform sound distribution throughout the listening area. The combination of the low-frequency driver and the precisely engineered shaped mounting baffle acts as a 300mm (12-inch) diameter waveguide, optimizing the frequency response and minimizing high-frequency beaming, which is a common issue in this category of speaker. This results in a coaxial speaker that maintains consistent coverage across the entire frequency range, whether used for speech or music reproduction.

The Control 328CT is also designed for ease of installation. The pre-attached ported baffle and the innovative EZRail feature help simplify the mounting process, allowing one side of the speaker to be temporarily held in place until the baffle is securely affixed to the backcan. The removable multi-pin locking connector with screw-down terminals ensures quick and reliable connections, allowing for pre-wiring and easy clip-on installation. The clean, modern appearance of the speaker makes it ideal for a variety of settings, and the optional MTC-RG6/8 round grille adds an elegant finishing touch, blending seamlessly into high-end venues. Additionally, the optional MTC-300BB8 backbox, made from thick 16-gauge steel and lined with medium-density fiberboard, enhances the speaker's bass performance and durability.

As a transformer-equipped model, the Control 328CT is ideal for large-scale distributed audio systems. It comes with a 68W multi-tap transformer, offering various settings for 70V and 100V systems, ensuring versatility for different installation requirements. The transformer allows for easy impedance matching and reliable power delivery to the speaker, whether in public address systems, retail spaces, or commercial environments. With JBL's rigorous 100-hour power test, the Control 328CT is built for long-term reliability and exceptional performance.

Features

• 8-inch Kevlar-reinforced woofer with 2-inch voice coil for high sensitivity and minimal distortion
• 25mm (1-inch) compression driver with pure titanium diaphragm and FerroFluid cooling for extended high-frequency response
• 120° broadband coverage ensures even sound distribution across large spaces
• 250W continuous power handling (1000W peak), with 118 dB continuous SPL (124 dB peak)
• Frequency range from 45 Hz to 18 kHz, with smooth frequency response from 60 Hz to 16 kHz
• Advanced high-slope crossover network for smooth midrange and high-frequency transitions
• Pre-attached ported baffle for easy installation, with the innovative EZRail feature for secure mounting
• Removable multi-pin locking connector with screw-down terminals for easy and reliable connections
• Optional MTC-RG6/8 round grille for an elegant, modern look
• Optional MTC-300BB8 backbox for enhanced bass performance and durability
• 68W multi-tap transformer for 70V/100V distributed speaker lines with multiple impedance taps for flexible installation
• Suitable for use in air-handling spaces per UL1480, UL2043, NFPA90 & NFPA 70 with UL-listed backcan

Specifications

System

• Frequency Range: 45 Hz - 18 kHz
• Frequency Response: 60 Hz - 16 kHz
• Long-Term System Power Rating (IEC):
  • 250W (1000W peak), 2 hrs
  • 150W (600W peak), 100 hrs
• Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m): 93 dB measured half-space
• Maximum SPL: 118 dB continuous average (124 dB peak)
• Crossover Network: 1.9 kHz, 3rd order (18 dB/oct) high-pass plus conjugate to HF, 2nd order low-pass to LF
• Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
• Transformer Taps:
  • 70V: 68W, 34W, 17W, 8.5W
  • 100V: 68W, 34W, 17W

Transducers

• Low Frequency Driver: Kevlar reinforced cone, 2 in voice coil
• High Frequency Driver: JBL 2412H-1 compression driver, 1 in voice coil

Physical

• Input Connector: Removable locking connector with screw-down terminals. Max wire 12 AWG (2.5 mm2)
  • 1) + in
  • 2) + loop out
  • 3) - loop out
  • 4) - in
• Safety Agency Rating: Suitable for use in air handling spaces per UL1480, UL2043, NFPA90 & NFPA 70 when installed with UL listed backcan such as JBL MTC-300BB8. S7232/UL Listed, Signaling Speaker. Transformer UL registered per UL1876. In accordance with IEC60849/EN60849.
• Baffle: Metal, round, 12.0 in diameter, driver pre-mounted to baffle, ported
• Baffle Attachment to MTC-300BB8 Backbox: Attach via 4 #10 x 0.75 in (19 mm) sheet metal screws
• Grille Attachment to Baffle: 4 pcs 4 mm machine screws in corners
• Dimensions: 12.0 in diameter round baffle x depth from back of baffle of 6.3 in (on 328C) & 8.6 in (on 328CT)
• Net Weight: 10.0 lbs (328C), 12.0 lbs (328CT)
• Shipping Weight: 12.7 lbs (328C), 14.7 lbs (328CT)
• Included Accessories: Ported baffle pre-attached, transformer on 328CT
• Optional Accessories: MTC-RG6/8 Grille, round contoured, white, MTC-SG6/8 Grille, square contoured, white, MTC-300BB8 Backbox, 25 liters (1 cubic foot)