JBL Professional Control 26CT: SPL & coverage

The Control 26CT is rated 107 dB maximum SPL at 1 m. Because sound pressure falls with distance under the inverse-square relationship, that figure drops to approximately 95 dB at 4 m when driven at full output, and to approximately 92 dB at 4 m when the planner's drive level is set to 50 percent.

The cabinet's 110 x 110 degree (H x V) dispersion is what sets the approximately 5.7 m horizontal coverage radius at the -6 dB threshold used by the planner. This wide, symmetrical pattern favours even near-field fill under a single ceiling point rather than a tightly thrown beam. Control 26CT is a passive cabinet, so it always needs a matched amplifier channel rather than built-in electronics.

In the planner, drag the listener-distance and drive-level controls to watch the SPL readout move in real time. The suggested box count is a front-coverage estimate based on room area and dispersion radius; SPL adequacy at the chosen listener point is a separate feasibility check, and both should read acceptable before treating a layout as workable.

The planner does not model room reverberation or RT60 decay, coverage zoning across separate seating or bar areas, subwoofer pairing for low-frequency extension, mechanical rigging for arrays, or DSP/delay tuning between multiple ceiling points. Treat its output as a first-pass coverage and SPL check, not a substitute for an on-site acoustic review of the finished space.