JBL Professional Control 328C - 8″ Coaxial Ceiling Speaker with HF Compression Driver and Constant 120° Coverage
The JBL Professional Control 328C is a coaxial point-source in-ceiling loudspeaker designed for commercial installations that demand high SPL , exceptional vocal clarity , and extremely consistent 120° coverage . Its shaped mounting baffle acts as a 12″ equivalent waveguide , allowing the tweeter to operate with the pattern control of a large horn, maintaining consistent directivity across a wide bandwidth. The transducer assembly combines a 200 mm (8″) Kevlar-reinforced cone woofer with a 50 mm (2″) voice coil and a 25 mm (1″ exit) compression driver , achieving extended response and low distortion for both music and speech.
With 93 dB sensitivity , 250 W power handling for 2 hours (1000 W peak), and a maximum SPL of 118 dB , the Control 328C covers large areas with fewer speaker points, optimizing system cost without compromising performance. It includes a 305 mm round metal baffle with a port, a locking plug connector for quick wiring, and supports plenum mounting when using a UL-listed backcan such as the MTC-300BB8 . The aesthetics can be customized with optional contemporary grilles ( MTC-RG6/8 round or MTC-SG6/8 square). For distributed systems, the MTC-300T150 external transformer (70/100 V) is available.
Main features
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120° conical coverage with constant directivity across broadband: fewer speakers for the same surface area.
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Deflector “shaped baffle” : pattern control equivalent to a 300 mm (12″) horn starting from an 8″ driver.
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High-quality transducers : 8″ Kevlar-reinforced woofer (VC 2″) + 1″ compression driver for maximum clarity and intelligibility.
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High performance : sensitivity 93 dB , 250 W at 2 h / 150 W at 100 h , max. SPL 118 dB .
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Advanced crossover at 1.9 kHz (high slopes) for a smooth and natural midrange.
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Professional installation : metal baffle Ø 305 mm, cut Ø 310 mm (with backcan MTC-300BB8), depth 160 mm from the back face of the baffle.
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Plenum ready with UL listed backcan (e.g., MTC-300BB8 ); MTC-RG6/8 and MTC-SG6/8 grille accessories available.
Product benefits
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Fewer points thanks to the controlled 120° coverage, reducing investment and installation times.
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Superior voice intelligibility and balanced musical response thanks to its coaxial design with large diameter waveguide .
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Scalability and compliance : plenum installation with approved backcan and grid options to suit the architecture.
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Easy service and maintenance : plug-in connector and modular baffle/backcan architecture for construction and expansion.
Use cases
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Retail, restaurants and hotels where quality background music and clear announcements are required in large areas.
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Offices, education and healthcare with priority given to uniformity of coverage and compliance in air handling spaces.
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Museums and convention centers that demand high SPL, consistent timbre and discreet ceiling aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does the Control 328C include a 70/100 V transformer? No. For distributed lines, you can add the external MTC-300T150 or choose the 328CT version (with integrated transformer).
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Do I need a backcan? For use in plenum/air handling spaces and to improve bass response, the MTC-300BB8 is recommended.
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What is the cutout diameter? Ø 310 mm when installed with the backcan MTC-300BB8; the baffle measures Ø 305 mm .
Project description
JBL Control 328C coaxial ceiling speaker (8 Ω), 120° coverage; frequency response 60–16 kHz (±3 dB) / 45–18 kHz (−10 dB) ; sensitivity 93 dB (2.83 V/1 m) ; max. SPL 118 dB (124 dB peak); Q 7.0 , DI 8.5 dB ; power handling 250 W (2 h) / 150 W (100 h) ; crossover 1.9 kHz (HP 18 dB + conjugate / LP 12 dB); transducers: LF 200 mm (Kevlar cone, VC 50 mm) + HF compression 25 mm (1″ exit); baffle Ø 305 mm , depth 160 mm from the rear; cut-out Ø 310 mm with backcan MTC-300BB8 ; Suitable for plenum with backcan UL listed.
