Spinorama for the brand new JBL PRX900 serie

[pierre]

JBL PRX900 are PA speakers which are optimised for high output. They are active, relatively cheap, easy to get and have an internal DSP. JBL is nice enough to provide a lot of datas for these speakers. I used the data to generate the spinorama and derive some information.


Here is the marketing blurb from JBL:

JBL PRX900 Series powered loudspeakers and subwoofers take professional portable PA performance to a new level with advanced acoustics, comprehensive DSP,
unrivaled power performance and durability and complete BLE control via the JBL Pro Connect ecosystem. The line, which includes three powered two-way loudspeakers and two powered subwoofers, has been entirely built from the ground up to leverage JBL’s most advanced acoustic innovations. Next-generation driver systems—powered by ultra-efficient 2,000-watt (peak) Class D amplifiers—deliver clarity and definition at maximum volume, with improved dispersion and smooth low-frequency extension. The PRX900 Series is a versatile solution for DJs and bands, music venues, rental houses, corporate A/V providers, or anyone who needs durable professional systems that deliver powerful, room-filling sound in any portable or installed scenario.

All 3 speakers have common properties:

• 1.5'' compression driver with a wave guide
• active speaker
• optimised for high SPL
• DSP included (similar to a dbx DriveRack)

The name of the speaker give you the size of the woofer PRX915 is a 15'' woofer.


Some data from JBL website:

Model	Price (each)	-3dB point	SPL Max	Pattern
PRX908	900$	65Hz	126dB	105x60
PRX912	1000$	65Hz	132dB	90x50
PRX915	1100$	60Hz	135dB	90x50

JBL PRX908

Out of the box


Let's start with the standard graphs:

The directivity is not great (the green curve should be as linear as possible) but on axis and listening window are reasonably flat.
We have -3dB point at 62Hz. Frequency deviation is +/3.2dB. Tonality score is 3.9 and would be 6.4 with a perfect subwoofer.

You can see that the speaker has been optimised to have a nice PIR (Predicted in room response):

We have a good horizontal pattern:

And we see the classical pinch of dipoles:

More graphs are available.

With an EQ​

Here is a potential EQ. Filter 4-9 are sharp and can be removed. They may marginally help.

EQ for JBL PRX908 computed from Vendors-JBL data
Preference Score 3.5 with EQ 4.5
Generated from http://github.com/pierreaubert/spinorama/generate_peqs.py v0.16
Dated: 2022-11-03-09:15:17

Preamp: -4.4 dB

Filter  1: ON PK Fc    87 Hz Gain -4.92 dB Q 4.40
Filter  2: ON PK Fc  1958 Hz Gain +4.08 dB Q 3.63
Filter  3: ON PK Fc   927 Hz Gain -2.80 dB Q 1.92
Filter  4: ON PK Fc  4923 Hz Gain +2.57 dB Q 5.88
Filter  5: ON PK Fc    80 Hz Gain -1.40 dB Q 5.70
Filter  6: ON PK Fc  1629 Hz Gain +1.77 dB Q 5.49
Filter  7: ON PK Fc 13172 Hz Gain +4.29 dB Q 5.70
Filter  8: ON PK Fc 11761 Hz Gain -4.34 dB Q 5.87
Filter  9: ON PK Fc  7760 Hz Gain -2.57 dB Q 5.93

And you see that's the PIR is significantly flatter:

A more visual comparison:

JBL PRX912​

Out of the box​

Let's start with the standard graphs:

The directivity is still not great but a bit better (the green curve should be as linear as possible) but on axis and listening window are reasonably flat.
We have -3dB point at 62Hz. Frequency deviation is +/3.2dB. Tonality score is 3.9 and would be 6.4 with a perfect subwoofer. If you add an EQ, the the score goes up to 4.7 and 7.2 with both EQ and subwoofer.

You can see that the speaker has been optimised to have a nice PIR (Predicted in room response):

We have a good horizontal pattern:

And we see the classical pinch of dipoles with a narrowing of vertical response: stay at tweeter height.

More graphs are available.

With an EQ​

Here is a potential EQ.

EQ for JBL PRX912 computed from Vendors-JBL data
Preference Score 3.9 with EQ 4.7
Generated from http://github.com/pierreaubert/spinorama/generate_peqs.py v0.16
Dated: 2022-11-03-09:21:27

Preamp: -1.6 dB

Filter  1: ON PK Fc    95 Hz Gain -4.21 dB Q 4.91
Filter  2: ON PK Fc    82 Hz Gain -1.57 dB Q 6.00
Filter  3: ON PK Fc   189 Hz Gain +1.24 dB Q 3.07
Filter  4: ON PK Fc  1737 Hz Gain +2.21 dB Q 2.74
Filter  5: ON PK Fc   383 Hz Gain -1.38 dB Q 1.40
Filter  6: ON PK Fc   231 Hz Gain +1.37 dB Q 4.95
Filter  7: ON PK Fc  9603 Hz Gain -2.83 dB Q 4.96
Filter  8: ON PK Fc  1713 Hz Gain -1.56 dB Q 5.98
Filter  9: ON PK Fc  3441 Hz Gain +1.38 dB Q 2.79

And you see that's the PIR is significantly flatter:

A visual comparison:

JBL PRX915​

Out of the box​

Let's start with the standard graphs:

The directivity is not improving and on axis and listening window are less flat.
We have -3dB point at 62Hz. Frequency deviation is +/3.8dB. Tonality score is 2.9 and would be 5.2 with a perfect subwoofer.
If you add an EQ, the the score goes up to 3.6 and 6.0 with both EQ and subwoofer.

This one is significantly less good than the other two.

You can see that the speaker has been optimised to have a nice PIR (Predicted in room response).

We have a good horizontal pattern:

And we see the classical pinch of dipoles but also the speaker is significantly more directional.

More graphs are available.

With an EQ​

Here is a potential EQ.

EQ for JBL PRX915 computed from Vendors-JBL data
Preference Score 2.9 with EQ 3.6
Generated from http://github.com/pierreaubert/spinorama/generate_peqs.py v0.16
Dated: 2022-11-03-09:22:25

Preamp: -3.3 dB

Filter  1: ON PK Fc    84 Hz Gain -4.55 dB Q 4.29
Filter  2: ON PK Fc   363 Hz Gain -1.89 dB Q 3.83
Filter  3: ON PK Fc  1539 Hz Gain +3.20 dB Q 1.62
Filter  4: ON PK Fc    78 Hz Gain -1.16 dB Q 5.63
Filter  5: ON PK Fc   279 Hz Gain -0.81 dB Q 5.60
Filter  6: ON PK Fc   803 Hz Gain -1.24 dB Q 5.43
Filter  7: ON PK Fc   193 Hz Gain +1.35 dB Q 3.61
Filter  8: ON PK Fc   110 Hz Gain -0.66 dB Q 5.86
Filter  9: ON PK Fc 10935 Hz Gain -4.11 dB Q 5.92

And you see that's the PIR is significantly flater:

A visual comparison:

Comparison​

JBL PRX908 v.s. JBL 708P​

The 708P is also an active 8'' but optimised for studio use. It's maximum output is 108dB continuous and 114dB peak which is way lower that the PRX908.
The 708P has been reviewed by @amirm (review) and Erin (review).

Looking at the 2 spinoramas: The DI curves are very similar but the studio version is smoother especially above 8kHz.
If you add some EQ to both, the difference decrease significantly:

Conclusion​

For PA speakers, the data shows very well executed speakers. I have not listen to this serie (brand new) but the previous one was already not bad.

 

[thewas]

Thank you for sharing these, don't like the significant directivity step of the 908, so I guess my choice would be the 912, also as 15" often needs a bigger compression driver to keep up at very high levels.

 

[AdamG]

Nice work @pierre. Appreciate the effort and support.

 

[Rja4000]

JBL PRX900 are PA speakers which are optimised for high output. They are active, relatively cheap, easy to get and have an internal DSP. JBL is nice enough to provide a lot of datas for these speakers. I used the data to generate the spinorama and derive some information.


Here is the marketing blurb from JBL:

JBL PRX900 Series powered loudspeakers and subwoofers take professional portable PA performance to a new level with advanced acoustics, comprehensive DSP,
unrivaled power performance and durability and complete BLE control via the JBL Pro Connect ecosystem. The line, which includes three powered two-way loudspeakers and two powered subwoofers, has been entirely built from the ground up to leverage JBL’s most advanced acoustic innovations. Next-generation driver systems—powered by ultra-efficient 2,000-watt (peak) Class D amplifiers—deliver clarity and definition at maximum volume, with improved dispersion and smooth low-frequency extension. The PRX900 Series is a versatile solution for DJs and bands, music venues, rental houses, corporate A/V providers, or anyone who needs durable professional systems that deliver powerful, room-filling sound in any portable or installed scenario.

All 3 speakers have common properties:

• 1.5'' compression driver with a wave guide
• active speaker
• optimised for high SPL
• DSP included (similar to a dbx DriveRack)

The name of the speaker give you the size of the woofer PRX915 is a 15'' woofer.


Some data from JBL website:

Model	Price (each)	-3dB point	SPL Max	Pattern
PRX908	900$	65Hz	126dB	105x60
PRX912	1000$	65Hz	132dB	90x50
PRX915	1100$	60Hz	135dB	90x50

JBL PRX908

Out of the box


Let's start with the standard graphs:

The directivity is not great (the green curve should be as linear as possible) but on axis and listening window are reasonably flat.
We have -3dB point at 62Hz. Frequency deviation is +/3.2dB. Tonality score is 3.9 and would be 6.4 with a perfect subwoofer.

You can see that the speaker has been optimised to have a nice PIR (Predicted in room response):

We have a good horizontal pattern:

And we see the classical pinch of dipoles:

More graphs are available.

With an EQ​

Here is a potential EQ. Filter 4-9 are sharp and can be removed. They may marginally help.

EQ for JBL PRX908 computed from Vendors-JBL data
Preference Score 3.5 with EQ 4.5
Generated from http://github.com/pierreaubert/spinorama/generate_peqs.py v0.16
Dated: 2022-11-03-09:15:17

Preamp: -4.4 dB

Filter  1: ON PK Fc    87 Hz Gain -4.92 dB Q 4.40
Filter  2: ON PK Fc  1958 Hz Gain +4.08 dB Q 3.63
Filter  3: ON PK Fc   927 Hz Gain -2.80 dB Q 1.92
Filter  4: ON PK Fc  4923 Hz Gain +2.57 dB Q 5.88
Filter  5: ON PK Fc    80 Hz Gain -1.40 dB Q 5.70
Filter  6: ON PK Fc  1629 Hz Gain +1.77 dB Q 5.49
Filter  7: ON PK Fc 13172 Hz Gain +4.29 dB Q 5.70
Filter  8: ON PK Fc 11761 Hz Gain -4.34 dB Q 5.87
Filter  9: ON PK Fc  7760 Hz Gain -2.57 dB Q 5.93

And you see that's the PIR is significantly flatter:

A more visual comparison:

JBL PRX912​

Out of the box​

Let's start with the standard graphs:

The directivity is still not great but a bit better (the green curve should be as linear as possible) but on axis and listening window are reasonably flat.
We have -3dB point at 62Hz. Frequency deviation is +/3.2dB. Tonality score is 3.9 and would be 6.4 with a perfect subwoofer. If you add an EQ, the the score goes up to 4.7 and 7.2 with both EQ and subwoofer.

You can see that the speaker has been optimised to have a nice PIR (Predicted in room response):
We have a good horizontal pattern:
And we see the classical pinch of dipoles with a narrowing of vertical response: stay at tweeter height.
More graphs are available.

With an EQ​

Here is a potential EQ.

EQ for JBL PRX912 computed from Vendors-JBL data
Preference Score 3.9 with EQ 4.7
Generated from http://github.com/pierreaubert/spinorama/generate_peqs.py v0.16
Dated: 2022-11-03-09:21:27

Preamp: -1.6 dB

Filter  1: ON PK Fc    95 Hz Gain -4.21 dB Q 4.91
Filter  2: ON PK Fc    82 Hz Gain -1.57 dB Q 6.00
Filter  3: ON PK Fc   189 Hz Gain +1.24 dB Q 3.07
Filter  4: ON PK Fc  1737 Hz Gain +2.21 dB Q 2.74
Filter  5: ON PK Fc   383 Hz Gain -1.38 dB Q 1.40
Filter  6: ON PK Fc   231 Hz Gain +1.37 dB Q 4.95
Filter  7: ON PK Fc  9603 Hz Gain -2.83 dB Q 4.96
Filter  8: ON PK Fc  1713 Hz Gain -1.56 dB Q 5.98
Filter  9: ON PK Fc  3441 Hz Gain +1.38 dB Q 2.79

And you see that's the PIR is significantly flatter:
A visual comparison:

JBL PRX915​

Out of the box​

Let's start with the standard graphs:

The directivity is not improving and on axis and listening window are less flat.
We have -3dB point at 62Hz. Frequency deviation is +/3.8dB. Tonality score is 2.9 and would be 5.2 with a perfect subwoofer.
If you add an EQ, the the score goes up to 3.6 and 6.0 with both EQ and subwoofer.

This one is significantly less good than the other two.

You can see that the speaker has been optimised to have a nice PIR (Predicted in room response).
We have a good horizontal pattern:
And we see the classical pinch of dipoles but also the speaker is significantly more directional.
More graphs are available.

With an EQ​

Here is a potential EQ.

EQ for JBL PRX915 computed from Vendors-JBL data
Preference Score 2.9 with EQ 3.6
Generated from http://github.com/pierreaubert/spinorama/generate_peqs.py v0.16
Dated: 2022-11-03-09:22:25

Preamp: -3.3 dB

Filter  1: ON PK Fc    84 Hz Gain -4.55 dB Q 4.29
Filter  2: ON PK Fc   363 Hz Gain -1.89 dB Q 3.83
Filter  3: ON PK Fc  1539 Hz Gain +3.20 dB Q 1.62
Filter  4: ON PK Fc    78 Hz Gain -1.16 dB Q 5.63
Filter  5: ON PK Fc   279 Hz Gain -0.81 dB Q 5.60
Filter  6: ON PK Fc   803 Hz Gain -1.24 dB Q 5.43
Filter  7: ON PK Fc   193 Hz Gain +1.35 dB Q 3.61
Filter  8: ON PK Fc   110 Hz Gain -0.66 dB Q 5.86
Filter  9: ON PK Fc 10935 Hz Gain -4.11 dB Q 5.92

And you see that's the PIR is significantly flater:
A visual comparison:

Comparison​

JBL PRX908 v.s. JBL 708P​

The 708P is also an active 8'' but optimised for studio use. It's maximum output is 108dB continuous and 114dB peak which is way lower that the PRX908.
The 708P has been reviewed by @amirm (review) and Erin (review).

Looking at the 2 spinoramas: The DI curves are very similar but the studio version is smoother especially above 8kHz.
If you add some EQ to both, the difference decrease significantly:

Conclusion​

For PA speakers, the data shows very well executed speakers. I have not listen to this serie (brand new) but the previous one was already not bad.

Well done.
Next on the list :
Nexo PS 10 R2 and PS15 R2

(These JBL look like real bargains. Now, one need to check the actual SPL, and how they actually behave at such a level)

 

[JayGilb]

Thank you !
Lots of data to sift through.

 

[PeteL]

Wondering if it is planning to replace PRX800 series or they'll live side by side. Price seem comparable, the 900 seem to suggest higher up in the line but the move from Wood to what appear like plastic suggest the opposite and bothers me a bit to be honest. Or maybe It's just the pictures?

 

[Matias]

Amazing how you can read data, create spins and EQs for a brand new product series. Congrats, nice work!

 

[GXAlan]

What about the EONs that have the flower waveguide on the woofers?

 

[YSC]

It looks unimpressive in the spins and directivity, but maybe it’s some PA outdoor design limitations in hand and estimated in room isn’t that relevant as they likely won’t be used in room?

 

[ernestcarl]

It looks unimpressive in the spins and directivity, but maybe it’s some PA outdoor design limitations in hand and estimated in room isn’t that relevant as they likely won’t be used in room?

Besides the apparent unimpressiveness of the spins by your account, what other speaker example can you give that's similarly priced yet have about the same specs required for the intended pro audio applications?

JBL PRX900 are PA speakers which are optimised for high output. They are active, relatively cheap, easy to get and have an internal DSP.

 

[pierre]

Well done.
Next on the list :
Nexo PS 10 R2 and PS15 R2

(These JBL look like real bargains. Now, one need to check the actual SPL, and how they actually behave at such a level)

Data conversion for the 3 Nexo is running Actual SPL is hard to know without distorision testing but my mental model is to remove 6-9dB to max SPL to get the real one across the spectrum (>80Hz). You cannot expect toooo much from a 12’’.

 

[pierre]

It looks unimpressive in the spins and directivity, but maybe it’s some PA outdoor design limitations in hand and estimated in room isn’t that relevant as they likely won’t be used in room?

These kind of speakers are used outdoors too but they are not very powerfull so main use cases are FoH or small gig insides. Note that the narrow vertical DI
is not that bad since listening distance is likely 5m-10m. 10 degree x 10m is roughly 1m.

Spin is not bad, we have seen many many hifi speakers performing a lot less well.

 

[Rja4000]

For PA, what's also important is directivity plot BEHIND (and on side of) the speaker.
You need to have as much attenuation as possible, but also, ideally, to keep it flat, to lower risk of feedback loop.

 

[YSC]

Besides the apparent unimpressiveness of the spins by your account, what other speaker example can you give that's similarly priced yet have about the same specs required for the intended pro audio applications?

Nope, that’s not my point, what I meant maybe due to English, is that it’s not that impressively flat as in their studio/home line with the basically perfect directivity. And then from say, the horizontal directivity I was guessing it’s less demanding in its intended application compared to say, max SPL or the requirement for a bug proof grille which is more likely needed in its pro use range. So that’s it, not blaming jbl as a whole

 

[YSC]

These kind of speakers are used outdoors too but they are not very powerfull so main use cases are FoH or small gig insides. Note that the narrow vertical DI
is not that bad since listening distance is likely 5m-10m. 10 degree x 10m is roughly 1m.

Spin is not bad, we have seen many many hifi speakers performing a lot less well.

yea for sure, but then we (or at least, I) have been spoiled by JBL to expect the very perfrect products across the board

 

[peanuts2]

another compromised series with way to high crossovers for the size. 1920hz on a 15" woofer. as loud as possible with as cheap tweeter as possible, enjoy the beaming.

 

[PeteL]

another compromised series with way to high crossovers for the size. 1920hz on a 15" woofer. as loud as possible with as cheap tweeter as possible, enjoy the beaming.

Of course it's about compromises, Think about that for a second. It has amps of 2000 watts peaks, It has a 15 inch woofer and a compression drivers. It has some DSP, It has to play as loud as possible... 1100$!!! Read that a few time and let that sink. Engineering at a cheap price point always involve compromises.

 

[Neale]

It is worth noting that when looking at PA speakers there are tiers of quality and performance. For example, with some simplification, there are three tiers of mid-sized self-powered PA speakers:

≈$US5000 each ... Meyer, L'Acoustics, D&B, Adamson, Nexo, Fulcrum Acoustic, JBL VP/VRX series and a handful of others
≈$US2000 each ... Yamaha-DZR, RCF, FBT, JBL SRX series and numerous others
<$US1000 each ... JBL PRX Series, plus too many others to count

The top tier are stunning; the extra $$ results in real sound quality and performance gains.

If ASR is to start reviewing PA speakers the above above tiers need to be understood. There's no going back once the top tier have been heard!

 

[pierre]

It is worth noting that when looking at PA speakers there are tiers of quality and performance. For example, with some simplification, there are three tiers of mid-sized self-powered PA speakers:

≈$US5000 each ... Meyer, L'Acoustics, D&B, Adamson, Nexo, Fulcrum Acoustic, JBL VP/VRX series and a handful of others
≈$US2000 each ... Yamaha-DZR, RCF, FBT, JBL SRX series and numerous others
<$US1000 each ... JBL PRX Series, plus too many others to count

The top tier are stunning; the extra $$ results in real sound quality and performance gains.

If ASR is to start reviewing PA speakers the above above tiers need to be understood. There's no going back once the top tier have been heard!

I have spins for 100+ PA speakers. That will be untertaining. Next review / analysis is FBT and yes some are better (Himaxx) or worse (J, Mitus).

 

[Multicore]

A couple of days ago I was looking for info on the 708P and noticed that it wasn't listed on JBL's web page of pro studio monitors. Has it been replaced by the smaller of these?

I considered the 708P as filling in the space between the range of Neuman HK 120 and 310. Filling that space in the market with something also sold as a PA speaker is ... bold? It can make sense, of course, but requires me to adjust my thinking a little.