JBL Control 23 (c. 1996)

A compact, weather-resistant two-way speaker designed for commercial installations, featuring a unique ball-mount system and insect-protected bass reflex port.

Overview

The JBL Control 23 is a contractor-grade, on-wall speaker system built for versatile use in commercial environments like restaurants, clubs, athletic facilities, and amusement parks. Manufactured by JBL, it belongs to the Control Contractor series and is designed for both indoor and outdoor installations. The speaker features a compact, durable HIPS (high-impact polystyrene) enclosure available in black or white, and its lightweight design—just 1.8 kg—makes it easy to install. It was sold in sets of two with a reported price of ¥46,000 around 1996. The system is passive, requiring no external power, and is engineered for reliability and ease of mounting with theft-resistant hardware.

Specifications

Product type	Control Contractor series speaker system
System type	2-way, 2-speaker, bass reflex system, setting-free type, magnetic protection design
Low-frequency driver	8.8 cm cone type, polypropylene coated cone
High-frequency driver	1.3 cm dome type, titanium-coated diaphragm
Crossover frequency	3.5 kHz
Frequency response	225 Hz to 20 kHz ± 3 dB; 85 Hz to 20 kHz -10 dB
Impedance	8 Ω
Power handling	50 W (continuous program), 25 W (pink noise)
Sensitivity	87 dB/W/m
Coverage angle	90° x 90°
Enclosure material	HIPS (high impact polystyrene)
Woofer protection	Special weather edge (seamless rubber surround)
Tweeter horn	Horn with 90° x 90° dispersion for 360° array compatibility
Bass reflex port	Port tube covered with net to prevent insect entry
Mounting system	インビジ ball mounting system (internal ball mount with hex wrench adjustment)
Accessories	2 wall mount brackets, hex wrench
Color options	Black and white
Dimensions (W×H×D)	140 × 191 × 112 mm
Weight	1.8 kg

Design

The enclosure uses a bass reflex design to enhance low-frequency efficiency while maintaining compact size. The front-mounted tweeter includes a horn with a precise 90° x 90° dispersion pattern, allowing multiple units to be arranged in a 360° array without overlapping high-frequency coverage. The woofer features a polypropylene-coated cone with a seamless rubber weather edge for durability in varied environments. The bass reflex port is fitted with a protective net to block insect intrusion. Mounting is facilitated by an internal ball-and-socket system—known as the インビジ ball mount—that allows front-access angle adjustment and hides mounting screws after installation, reducing theft risk. The HIPS enclosure is paintable, supporting seamless integration into architectural settings.

Product Family

The Control 23 is part of a broader family of multipurpose on-wall speakers, including the JBL Control 25 and Control 28. A variant, the Control 23T, includes an integrated transformer with 100V/10W and 70V/5W taps for use in distributed audio systems, though the base Control 23 model lacks this feature.

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