JBL Control 25 Loudspeakers Pair

The JBL Control 25 is another highly popular model within JBL’s Control Contractor Series of passive installation loudspeakers. Similar to the Control 23, it’s designed for background/foreground music and paging in commercial environments, but with a larger woofer (5.25 inches instead of 3 inches), providing more output and deeper bass response.

The most common modern iteration is the JBL Control 25-1. There’s also the Control 25AV which is an older, but still found, variant with additional shielding and slightly different specifications (e.g., typically designed for video applications). I will focus on the Control 25-1 as it’s the more prevalent current model for general installation.

Key Features and Specifications (per single loudspeaker):

• Type: Passive Two-Way Loudspeaker. Requires an external amplifier.
• Drivers:
  • LF Driver: 5.25-inch (135mm) woven-fiberglass cone woofer with pure butyl rubber surround and WeatherEdge™ frame protection. This larger woofer provides enhanced bass response compared to the Control 23-1.
  • HF Driver: 0.75-inch (19mm) PEI (Polyetherimide) diaphragm tweeter with fluid cooling.
• Power Handling:
  • Continuous Program Power: 200W (for 2 hours)
  • Continuous Pink Noise: 100W (for 2 hours) / 75W (for 100 hours)
  • Peak Power: 400W
• Impedance: 8 ohms (in “Thru” or direct mode).
• Transformer Taps (for models with transformers like Control 25-1T or standard 25-1 which includes it): Most Control 25-1 models include a built-in multi-tap transformer for use in 70V or 100V distributed audio systems. Common taps include 30W, 15W, 7.5W, and 3.7W. This is crucial for large-scale commercial installations.
• Frequency Range (-10dB): 60 Hz to 20 kHz. This extended low-frequency response gives it more fullness for music playback than the Control 23.
• Frequency Response (±3dB): 85 Hz – 17 kHz.
• Sensitivity (1W, 1m): 90 dB. This is a higher sensitivity than the Control 23, meaning it can achieve a higher SPL with the same amount of amplifier power.
• Maximum SPL (1m): 110 dB average continuous pink noise (116 dB peak).
• Coverage Angle: Wide 100° x 100° coverage, ensuring broad and consistent sound distribution.
• Weather Resistant:
  • Designed for both indoor and outdoor use.
  • Conforms to Mil Spec 810 for humidity, salt spray, temperature & UV.
  • IEC 529 IP-44 splashproof rating (can be upgraded to IP-55 with optional grilles/covers like the WeatherMax™ grille).
  • Grilles are heavily zinc-plated and powder-coated for rust resistance.
• Mounting:
  • InvisiBall™ Mounting Hardware: Integrated, patented system for easy, secure, and highly adjustable wall mounting with a discreet appearance. Offers excellent rotation (high degree of vertical and horizontal rotation).
  • Optional U-bracket (MTC-25UB-1) and ceiling-mount adapter (MTC-28/25CM) are available.
• Enclosure Material: High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), paintable.
• Connectivity: Screw-down terminal strip (accepts bare wire or spade lugs).
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 243 x 188 x 145 mm (9.6 x 7.4 x 5.7 in). Slightly larger than the Control 23-1.
• Net Weight (each): 3.4 kg (7.5 lbs).

JBL Control 25-1 vs. JBL Control 23-1 (Key Differences):

The Control 25-1 is essentially a step up from the Control 23-1, offering:

• Larger Woofer: 5.25″ vs. 3″ results in significantly deeper bass response.
• Higher Power Handling: 200W vs. 100W Continuous Program Power.
• Higher Sensitivity: 90 dB vs. 86 dB, meaning it gets louder with less amplifier power.
• Higher Max SPL: 110 dB vs. 103 dB, making it suitable for louder foreground music applications.
• Broader Frequency Range: Extends lower to 60 Hz (-10dB) compared to 70 Hz for the Control 23-1.
• Slightly Larger Dimensions and Weight.

Common Applications:

The JBL Control 25-1 is highly versatile and used in a wide array of commercial and public spaces where higher fidelity and output are desired than the Control 23-1:

• Retail Stores: Especially larger ones, or where music is a more prominent part of the ambiance.
• Restaurants & Bars: Providing clear background/foreground music.
• Fitness Centers/Gyms: Often used in workout areas.
• Conference Rooms & Boardrooms: For clear speech and presentation audio.
• Hotels: Lobbies, common areas, ballrooms.
• Museums & Galleries: For ambient soundscapes or guided audio.
• Houses of Worship: For overflow rooms or smaller chapels.
• Outdoor Patios & Gardens: Due to excellent weather resistance.
• Schools & Universities: Auditoriums, larger classrooms, cafeterias.