[Must-See Speakers for Beginner PA Users] Highly recommended for live concerts and other various music events! JBL IRX108BT and IRX112BT PA Powered Speakers

I would like to introduce the latest powered speakers, the IRX108BT (8 in.) and IRX112BT (12 in.) from a top brand of PA speakers, JBL.

JBL / IRX108BT Powered Speaker

JBL / IRX112BT Powered Speaker

JBL’s powered speakers include the SRX800, PRX900, PRX800, and EON700 from high-end to lower-end series, and the JBL’s most entry class series is the IRX100.

The following is a brief introduction of the IRX108BT and IRX112BT recommended by Sound House’s PA speaker staff!

Lowest Price Point

This is the most affordable JBL powered speaker out of their current lineup. You do not want to compromise on performance while keeping costs down. These are recommended for those who want good sound quality.

⇒ List of JBL / PA and Powered Speakers in order of lowest price

Higher Output Wattage

The peak output power 1300W is the same as the higher-end EON700 series, and my personal impression after comparing the IRX112BT and the EON712 is that the EON712 produces slightly more volume and sound pressure, but the sound quality is not too different.
In the SoundCloud section below, we have uploaded comparison sound sources recorded at a volume level with no clipping and no limits for your reference.

Not only JBL, but often there are 10-, 12-, and 15-inch powered speakers for PA use, but no 8-inch speakers in the lineup. The IRX108BT is a valuable model because of its small size and easy handling, yet it still sounds solid.

As for the sound quality, I personally feel that “JBL sound” is the best way to describe it. The sound is well-balanced regardless of the volume level and the sound is natural, and the low frequency range is perfect. This is the kind of sound that can be used in any genre. Of course, there is no end to the list if you look at the higher grade models or higher series from other manufacturers, but there is no doubt that these speakers are excellent compared to other models that are in the same price range.

Smaller Sizes

From left to right, the EON712, IRX112BT, EON710, and the IRX108BT are shown side by side.
Obviously the IRX112BT is one size smaller than the EON712. It is almost the same size as the EON710, which has a smaller speaker unit. It may be a minor difference, but as the number of speakers and equipment increases, it can greatly affect the space in the car.

W313 × D258 × H486：IRX108BT
W400 × D299 × H618：IRX112BT
W332 × D305 × H587：EON710
W381 × D328 × H670：EON712

Lighter Weight

7.9 kg: IR×108BT
12.4 kg: IR×112BT
11.9 kg: EON710
14.5 kg: EON712

Some customers may prefer a model that is a little lighter than the standard model since it is often being used for repetitive transportation and installation, and the person putting a speaker on a stand has to take on quite a tiring task. I think that a 12-inch speaker weighing in the 12 kg range can be installed by a single man without any problem.

Personally, I think that the handle of the IRX100 Series is one of the most comfortable among all the PA speakers I have held before. The space for the handle is large enough to fit your fist and the handle itself has just the right amount of roundness to allow you to grip it firmly.

Bluetooth Music Playback

The IRX108BT and IRX112BT are equipped with a Bluetooth receiver so that a smartphone or computer can be connected wirelessly to play background music. Volume can be controlled on the device and by the Master Volume knob.

Easy to Operate

The latest powered speakers these days are equipped with wireless applications and LCD displays, and can be set to a certain degree on the speaker itself without the need for external processors such as graphic equalizers and compressors. However, it is also complicated and difficult to operate. One of the key points of the IRX Series is simple and easy to use, and anyone can use this model easily. It takes only three steps to produce a sound.

1. Connect equipment to the input terminals
2. Turn the Gain knob
3. Turn the Master Volume knob

By the way, the input jacks are XLR/phone combo jacks for both mic and line level, so when connecting a microphone, both an XLR or a phone can be used equally well.

Easy Sound Creation

The sound coming out of IRX108BT and IRX112BT sounds “good enough” as it is, but there are cases where sound creation is necessary to suit the application. When using a mixer, there is an equalizer for each channel, which is fine-tuned while watching the balance, but for those who are not very familiar with this process, it may seem difficult and unfamiliar. But don’t worry, even if you are one of these people, all you have to do is just listen to four on-board EQ presets and choose the sound you like. If you want to add more power to the sound, simply turn on Bass Boost. I recorded using the BOYA BY-BCA70 and Shure SM57 on my iPhone so I recommend carefully listening with your headphones.

AFS (Automatic Feedback Suppression) at the touch of a button

Feedback is an ear-piercing noise that many of you most likely have experienced when you accidentally get too close to a speaker or turn up the microphone volume too high on the mixer. A skilled PA engineer can quickly lower the frequency that causes that problem on a graphic equalizer, but this is not the case for most cases. With the IRX, however, you can do the same thing by simply pressing the AFS button. This setting should be always turned on.

Ducking is also available at the touch of a button

The ducking function lowers the volume of background music in response to the input signal from the microphone. The IRX108BT and IRX112BT can lower the volume of sound sources played over Bluetooth. For example, the ducking function can turn down the background music when the instructor is speaking in a dance lesson or when the teacher is explaining something during class. Of course, the volume of the background music will automatically return when the signal is lost in the microphone input when the speaker finishes speaking.

For more speakers in the future

The IRX108BT and IRX112BT have XLR output jacks, so you can easily connect them to the input jacks of other powered speakers to get the same sound. The signal output from the XLR jacks is “affected by the Gain and Master Volume knobs of each channel,” so if you turn the knob up or down on the first speaker, the volume of the second and subsequent ones will change accordingly. Bluetooth music playback is also outputted from the XLR jacks, but it’s also affected by the Master Volume knob.

How was it?
The JBL IRX108BT and the IRX112BT have the elements of being lightweight, compact, easy, and high sound quality to make your music event successful, even as a beginner with ease and confidence. We recommend these powered speakers for those who want to start operating PA speakers or want to hold a music event for everyone♪