The JBL CBT 1000 is a high-output, two-way column array loudspeaker that utilizes patented Constant Beamwidth Technology to deliver precise, consistent sound coverage for professional fixed installation applications. Unlike conventional column speakers, this model employs a complex arrangement of transducers and specialized signal processing to produce a cylindrical wavefront that maintains a constant vertical coverage pattern over a wide frequency range. This engineering achievement makes it exceptionally effective in acoustically challenging spaces with high ceilings and reflective surfaces, such as worship facilities, auditoriums, transportation hubs, and performing arts centers, where controlling vertical dispersion is key to maximizing intelligibility and minimizing unwanted reflections.

The system integrates multiple 2.5-inch full-range drivers and a dedicated 1-inch exit compression driver, all working in concert within a elegantly slim, vertical enclosure. The integrated DSP (Digital Signal Processing) is fundamental to its operation, applying precise delays and equalization to the individual drivers to shape the vertical coverage pattern. Users can select from multiple preset coverage patterns, such as 30°, 60°, or 90°, to best match the venue's architecture, ensuring sound is directed precisely at the audience and not wasted on empty ceilings or walls. This results in remarkably even sound pressure distribution from the front to the back of the coverage area, with minimal tonal changes for listeners at different distances.

Built for permanent installation, the enclosure is constructed from durable, extruded aluminum with a textured black finish, designed to be both aesthetically discreet and highly robust. It includes integrated rigging points for secure flying or wall-mounting. The CBT 1000 is a passive system, requiring external amplification and processing, typically provided by a matched system controller or amplifier with the correct presets. By combining advanced acoustical physics with practical installation features, the JBL CBT 1000 provides system designers with a powerful tool to achieve uniform, intelligible, and high-fidelity sound coverage in spaces where traditional loudspeaker designs struggle to perform effectively.