JBL COL800 – Slim Column Loudspeaker with Wide Coverage and IP54 Rating

Product Overview

The JBL COL800 WH is a slim 800 mm (32-inch) white column loudspeaker engineered for commercial installed sound systems where aesthetics and audio performance must coexist. Featuring four 5-inch by 2.25-inch racetrack woofers and two 0.8-inch tweeters, the COL800 delivers a 160-degree horizontal by 60-degree vertical coverage pattern with a built-in 10-degree downward tilt, covering large horizontal listening areas while keeping vertical energy focused on the audience. At 3.7 inches (93 mm) deep, the cabinet meets ADA flush-wall installation clearances and presents a minimal visual profile in finished architectural spaces. The COL800 supports both 8-ohm direct drive and 70V/100V distributed operation via an integrated 60W multitap transformer, making it equally suitable for conference rooms, retail environments, transit spaces, and house of worship installations.

Product Description

The COL800’s driver configuration positions two 0.8-inch tweeters near the top of the array, above four racetrack woofers, to prevent the woofer drivers from masking HF dispersion at seated listening height. This arrangement produces clean, unobstructed sound reproduction across the 85 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range, with the ±3 dB window running from 125 Hz to 18 kHz. Continuous pink noise power handling is 150W (300W continuous program) with a 600W peak rating, and maximum SPL reaches 110 dB continuous and 116 dB peak at the 88 dB sensitivity rating.

The 10-degree downward tilt is built into the cabinet geometry rather than requiring a tilted wall bracket, so the speaker can be mounted flush without angled hardware. Additional precision is available through the included low-profile swivel/tilt wall bracket and two L-brackets, which support horizontal pan or vertical tilt adjustment for specific coverage requirements. Connectivity uses a 4-pin Euroblock terminal accepting 24 to 14 AWG wire, simplifying field termination during installation.

IP54 ingress protection — rated for dust resistance and protection against water spray from any direction — makes the COL800 appropriate for covered outdoor areas, natatoriums, transit platforms, and commercial kitchens or servery environments where moisture exposure is possible. The enclosure is PC+ABS (UL94-V0 flame rated) with a plated SPCC grille finished in polyester powder coat. The COL800 WH ships in white finish; a black version (COL800 BK) is also available at creationnetworks.net.

Key Features

• Four 5" x 2.25" racetrack woofers and two 0.8" tweeters — full-range driver array covering 85 Hz to 20 kHz with unobstructed high-frequency dispersion.
• 160° horizontal x 60° vertical coverage — wide horizontal throw with controlled vertical pattern to minimize ceiling and floor reflections.
• Built-in 10° downward tilt — factory-integrated angle directs coverage toward listeners without angled mounting hardware.
• 3.7-inch (93 mm) cabinet depth — ADA-compliant for flush-wall installation; minimal visual intrusion in finished spaces.
• 150W continuous / 600W peak power handling — 88 dB sensitivity, 110 dB continuous SPL, 116 dB peak SPL.
• Integrated 60W multitap transformer — supports 70V and 100V distributed audio systems; bypasses to 8-ohm direct drive.
• IP54 environmental rating — dust-tight and water-spray resistant for covered outdoor and semi-exposed indoor environments.
• 4-pin Euroblock terminal (24–14 AWG) — field-installable wiring without special connectors.
• Swivel/tilt wall bracket and L-brackets included — flexible mounting options for precise coverage adjustment.
• UL94-V0 flame-rated PC+ABS enclosure — fire-rated enclosure material for commercial code compliance.

Typical Applications

• Conference room and boardroom wall-mounted audio
• Huddle room and commercial meeting space speaker coverage
• House of worship fill and distributed coverage systems
• Government space and training room speech reinforcement
• Multi-purpose room and all-hands room installed audio
• Retail, hospitality, and transit distributed system speakers

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the COL800 WH be used on a 70V distributed system? Yes. The integrated 60W multitap transformer supports 70V and 100V operation with taps at 60W, 30W, 15W (70V/100V), and 7.5W (70V). For 8-ohm direct operation, the transformer is bypassed via the thru setting.

Is the COL800 ADA compliant when wall-mounted? Yes. At 3.7 inches (93 mm) deep, the cabinet meets ADA clearance requirements for objects mounted flush to the wall, making it suitable for corridors and common areas subject to ADA compliance.

What is the difference between the COL800 WH and COL800 BK? The two models are identical in specifications and performance. The WH (white) finish suits lighter or neutral-colored walls and modern interiors; the BK (black) finish suits darker environments. Both are sold individually and are available at creationnetworks.net.

Does the built-in 10-degree tilt eliminate the need for a tilted bracket? For most standard wall heights, yes. The factory-integrated 10-degree downward tilt directs coverage toward the audience without angled mounting hardware. The included swivel/tilt bracket and L-brackets allow additional angular adjustment when room geometry requires it.

Can the COL800 be used outdoors? The IP54 rating makes the COL800 suitable for covered outdoor installations where it is protected from direct rainfall. It is not rated for direct exposure to rain or submersion. Verify project-specific environmental requirements before specifying for outdoor use.

What amplifier is recommended? The COL800 is compatible with any commercial amplifier or DSP amplifier capable of driving 8-ohm loads or 70V/100V distributed systems. For specific amplifier pairing and system design, contact Creation Networks.