When a musician who’s mastered their craft leverages the JBL EON ONE Pro, the crowd goes wild. The clarity and sound quality that emanates from this PA system never fails to mesmerize the audience. People who stand near this all-in-one rechargeable PA solution don’t get overwhelmed by its sound, and those standing 30 – 40 feet away from it hear the sound well.
The JBL EON ONE Pro is portable, looks great, and is easy to set up. This unit is the first “easy to carry with one hand,” battery-powered PA system in its class. Moreover, it is the winner of the 32nd Annual Music & Sound Awards for the best speaker of 2017.
Here is the full JBL EON ONE pro review:
Specs and Features
- Dimensions: 15.8″ (Depth) x 10.5″ (Width) x 23.4″ (sub) Spacers and speaker (61.5″ to 80.5)
- Weight: 37.5 pounds / 17 Kg
- SPL output (max): 118 dB peak
- Speaker drives: 6 x 2″ HF drivers, 8″ subwoofer
- Inputs: 2 Hi-Z inputs, One RCA input, One 3.5mm jack, 4 combo 1/4/XLR inputs
- Outputs: RCA output jacks, 1 XLR pass-through
- Amplifier: Class D amp
- Total power: 250W
- Frequency response: 45Hz-18kHz
- Battery-charged via standard IEC AC cable
- Included: 1 Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- 7-channel mixer with integrated effects
- Built-in accessory mount
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Effects: Reverb
- EQ: Treble, bass (Channels 1-4)
- Built-in phantom power
- Ergonomic handle
Design and Build
The JBL EON ONE Pro features a lightweight, compact, versatile design. It’s an all-in-one, battery-powered, 7-channel PA solution with phantom power.
It’s smaller, narrower, and sleeker than its predecessor — the JBL EON ONE. Its compact design lets you quickly set the unit up, thus saving lots of time. Also, packing the high-frequency unit and spacers into the unit’s base is an activity you can do in seconds.
Thanks to the system’s ergonomic handle design, carrying it to the stage is a one-hand affair.
The enclosure is made of Polypropylene, a strong very durable material. The grille is made of perforated steel with protective Powder-coated paint.
Setting it Up
Setting up or breaking down this PA system takes seconds. You’ll need to make only one trip from your car. Once you reach the stage, simply slide the high-frequency unit and spaces into place and start playing. After the performance, collapse the unit into its base and say goodbye. It’s that simple and easy.
Powering the System
The system runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. At half the volume, the JBL Eon One Pro can provide up to 6 hours of playtime. But at higher volumes, that’s not what happens in reality.
Judging from what I’ve seen, the battery provides something like 3.5 to 5 hours of playtime depending on the volume you set. Still, lots of people love the fact that this portable, phantom power-packed PA system is battery-powered.
Sound Quality
The system is powered by a class-D amplifier that delivers 250W of power. Without a doubt, the unit disperses optimized JBL professional sound, and everyone in the room hears each passing note. Your audience also gets to hear you from all angles. The unit’s high-quality sound coupled with its consistent directionality is no accident. It happens because the system optimizes each driver’s spacing to achieve this.
Moreover, the system’s streamlined 7-channel mixer offers all the features and effects you’ll ever need to produce perfect sound. Here’s what the mixer lets you do. You can plug your electric guitars alongside other instruments you may prefer into the unit’s Hi-Z inputs. Also, you can plug in your professional condenser mics and mesmerize the crowd with the system’s +48v phantom power.
The 4 combo XLR inputs, RCA inputs, and 3.5mm jack let you connect to any source you fancy. And the controls for bass, treble, and reverb are there for a reason. They help you tweak the tone until you get a rich, lean, and clean version of it.
Planning to perform before a larger audience but still want to stay loyal to JBL? No worries. Simply turn to the unit’s pass-thru input and connect to a second EON ONE Pro. That’d boost the sound’s volume phenomenally.
Bluetooth and Built-in USB Port
With this option, you never have to worry that your smartphone’s battery might get drained. JBL thought about that and did something. They threw in a USB port so you stay charged up at all times.
And what will your audience do during breaks? The Bluetooth option answers this question best. Simply stream audio from your phone or tablet and keep the crowd busy. Use the Bluetooth connectivity to stream your backing tracks as well.
Built-in Accessory Mount
This linear-array PA solution comes with a built-in accessory mount that helps you do two important things. One: you can easily add lighting effects to improve the overall quality of your performance. Two: you can attach a camera and capture every dynamic moment of your show.
Value and Price
The unit’s price point might get you thinking hard before forking over your money. You may wonder if the deal is the greatest your money can clinch?
Well, here’s what you get in the box:
- EON ONE Pro base
- Column speaker array
- Power cable
- 2 spacers
- Warranty for the speaker (5 years limited), amplifier (3 years), and cabinet (2 years)
The system works pretty well for people who mainly perform in small to medium size events. Anyone who performs at weddings, small private parties, or church events will definitely love it. It is a great buy for a solo musician who performs for small and medium crowds.
It’s hands down the best all-in-one portable PA solution for when your audience needs high-quality, crystal clear sound that doesn’t overwhelm them. You’d be hard-pressed to find a portable, battery-powered, line-array system that offers all of these awesome features at this price range.
Pros
- Set up is quick and easy.
- Lightweight — portable.
- Compact, versatile design.
- 6 hours of battery playtime.
- Crystal clear sound.
- Bluetooth streaming.
- A built-in USB port.
- Looks terrific.
Cons
- Relatively heavy compared to other models.
- The battery may not last up to 6 hours depending on set volume.
- Not enough power and SPL for large audiences.
- Rolling case not included.
- Pricey.
Certainly, the product isn’t among the lightest PA systems JBL makes. It’s heavier than a few comparable units I’ve seen. Still, it’s relatively easy to carry. It comes with an ergonomic handle that lets you move the whole system with one hand.
Some people have pointed out that the battery isn’t as good as JBL would have us believe. So, there’s a good chance you won’t get a solid 6 hours of playtime. You’ll see more like 3.5 – 5 hours. But is that so bad? Definitely not a deal-breaker.
The unit is a great performer that produces crystal clear sound for small to medium audiences up to 150 people. But it doesn’t seem to give enough power for larger audiences. If you frequently perform for happy, noisy revelers, you’d find that the unit really struggles to subdue the noise. But you can always pair it up with another system for a more vigorous performance.
What about the price? It is a bit on the higher end of the pricing spectrum as all other JBL products. For now, people who love the renowned JBL professional sound appreciate its superior quality and do not mind buying the unit. JBL is undoubtedly a world leader when it comes to building high-quality speakers. And it’s a fact that their products are superior to most others.
Final Thoughts
The JBL EON ONE Pro packs a punch for attendees of private parties, small corporate events, and weddings. For larger crowds, you may probably have to pair this JBL option with some other system.
It’s portable, battery-powered, and offers built-in phantom power. It also provides a built-in USB port for charging your mobile devices. It’s Bluetooth-enabled so you can effortlessly stream your music to keep your audience engaged between sets.
Most importantly, it delivers crystal clear highs and deep bass that keeps the entire room saturated with beautiful sound. I’d recommend this solution over and over. The product is great, the quality is perfect, and the price is just right.