First Look at the JBL Professional IRX ONE All-in-One Column Portable PA

JBL Professional’s “point and shoot” portable PA offering has been represented in a good / better / best set-up via the IRX Series, EON Series and PRX Series respectively. For JBL’s Column-design all-in-one systems, however, customers to date have had only the ‘better’ EON (EON ONE mkII) and ‘best’ PRX (PRX ONE) options.

Until now - because what we have here is the new JBL IRX ONE, the latest addition to JBL Professional’s Column portable PA family, and also its most affordable.

The IRX ONE combines stunning acoustics, a simple but powerful 3-channel mixer, Bluetooth 5 audio streaming, all in an easily transportable package that packs down to the size of a suitcase. It brings JBL sound and quality to a new price point in the category and is already shipping now. So, let’s take a first look at its main features.

No Compromise Sound

Whilst being the most affordable in the range, the IRX ONE does not compromise on sound quality. JBL is a speaker company with over 75 years of acoustic design know-how, and these are JBL’s own speakers inside. The IRX ONE base section houses a JBL 8" woofer which accurately handles low-frequency response down to 40 Hz. The column speaker that slots into the top is based on a concert line array design with six 2” high-frequency drivers in a custom-tuned, C-shaped configuration. The benefits of the array design ensures a wide audience sweet spot and seamless front-to-back coverage. This combination of woofer and tweeters provides a rich sonic clarity, with an overall frequency response of 40Hz - 20kHz. It sounds warm and clear, with a surprisingly punchy bottom end.

The column section has two additional spacers which conveniently slot into the back of the base unit, together with the column speaker itself. These can be used to adjust the height of the overall column to suit any situation. When either of the spacers are used, the column speaker automatically adjusts its tuning accordingly so that optimum sound performance is always ensured.

Mixer

The IRX ONE features a built-in 3-channel mixer for the connection of microphones, guitars and other instruments. While that’s two channels fewer than the EON ONE mkII, and four fewer than the 7-Channel PRX ONE, the IRX ONE’s mixer is designed to be super-simple to use with single knob-per-function controls in an easy to understand configuration. (i.e. no menus, no multi-button presses).

Two of the input channels features XLR / ¼” combi connections (with 48V phantom power available), with the third channel being ¼" only. Each features bass and treble controls. There’s a Preset EQ selector for the overall sound with 5 presets available. A ¼” balanced mix-output allows, for example, daisy-chaining to another unit.

The mixer also features useful advanced functions such as dbx automatic feedback suppression (AFS), and Soundcraft audio ducking which automatically turns down music when speech is detected.

For audio streaming, the IRX ONE utilises the latest Bluetooth 5.0 chipset to deliver premium Bluetooth performance.

Made To Move

The IRX ONE features a durable cabinet but, weighing in at just 15.5 kg (34.1 lbs), it can be carried around by one person. The speakers and spacers conveniently slot into the back of the base unit, making it very quick to set up and breakdown and its ergonomically-optimised carry handle minimises wrist strain, allowing you to carry the unit around with one hand.

Warranty

The IRX ONE comes with a JBL 3-Year Warranty included for added peace of mind.

Specifications

System Type	Powered Column PA Speaker	AC Power Input	100V - 120V or 220 - 240V
Woofer Size	8"	Input Impedance	4.4kΩInput Mic 1MΩ balanced Hi-Z Jack
Tweeter Size	2"	Input Gain Mic	55dB
Tweeter Count	6	Input Gain Hi-Z	48dB
Max SPL	118dB (Peak)	Crossover Frequency	260Hz
Frequency Range	-10: 40Hz ~ 20KHz @ 4pi	I/O	2 - Mic/Line XLR Combo 1 - Hi-Z In - 6.3mm jack 1 - Mix Out - 6.3mm jack 1 - Bluetooth SBC
Frequency Range	-3: 50Hz ~ 18KHz @ 4pi	Cabinet	PP
Horizontal Dispersion	160°	Gross Weight	18.39kg
Vertical Dispersion	80°	Net Weight	15.5kg
Power Rating	1300W Peak	Dimensions (L x W x H)	267 x 400 x 597 mm

With a simple and sonically excellent design, the new IRX ONE is perfect for anyone looking for a portable performance speaker such as educators, presenters, for houses of worship, as well as musicians, buskers and singer/songwriters.

The IRX ONE will be available in UK stores at the end of October / early November.

Where To Buy

JBL IRX ONE

This new blog is presented by the team at Sound Technology Ltd, a leading distributor of musical instruments and pro audio equipment in the UK and ROI.