"..the (JBL) VRX932LA-1 is a class act and a hard one to follow”: Performing Musician Magazine give their verdict on JBL's Passive Line Array

"It will smack out sustained high sound levels and just loves being driven, but it can also sound great in singles"

After giving such a fantastic review of the active JBL VRX932LAP units back in September, Mike Crofts takes a look at the passive version, the VRX932LA-1 in this month's issue of Performing Musician Magazine.

JBL's VERTEC Series Line Arrays lead the industry in large venue sound reinforcement. While intended for smaller venues than VERTEC, the VRX900 Series Constant Curvature Line Arrays are designed and built to the same high standards and uses the same advanced, concert-proven drivers. JBL's VRX900 Series speakers deliver extraordinary power handling, clarity, flexibility and, of course, stunning JBL sound in an attractive, easy to handle and affordable package.

First on construction, "The latching hardware is very good quality and makes fastening the cabinets together extremely easy and secure. Generous side handles are mounted at either end of the cabinet, and these are good-quality cast fittings with a sensible grip bar and a deep recess to protect hands. I've mentioned the light weight of the internal components, and the enclosure itself isn't all that heavy (21kg for a 1600W cab!), but it has a feeling of utter solidity about it".

"With all its distinguished lineage, you'd expect the VRX932LA-1 to sound pretty good, and in my opinion it sounds very, very good. It can handle a huge amount of power and is one of those deigns that just seems to sound better as the level goes up".

"...the result was one stunning sound system, which seemed to like it more the harder I drove it. The top-end clarity was absolutely all there and sounded exactly the same some 20m back...I also experimented with tweaking the sub tunings and I'm convinced that there is more performance to be had from this setup given the time to tinker".

"My main challenge was in trying to associate the huge 'big PA' sound I was hearing with the compact, portable system I was looking at...and now that I've proved to myself how versatile these excellent speakers are, I cant think of many live-sound jobs where they wouldn't now be first choice".

"I think the VRX932LA-1 is a class act and a hard one to follow".

To read the full review, pick up the June Issue of Performing Musician Magazine (Issue 21). The JBL VRX932LA-1 are available now at £2760 RRP.