Short answer: the Martin Audio CDD12, if you are buying new. The Amate Audio X12CLA ranks higher than it (#58 vs #69 of 78 12-inch pa speakers, 3.2/5 vs 2.9/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Martin Audio CDD12 is still sold new.
The Amate Audio X12CLA is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Its medium-quality vendor Spinorama data yields a 4.07 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 58Hz bass extension. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 1.48 against 0.82 for the Martin Audio CDD12. Its bass reaches about 71Hz before falling 3dB, against 95Hz for the Martin Audio CDD12. The tradeoff: The very narrow 15° vertical pattern is specialized rather than broadly useful as a single portable main, and the 69.4 lbs (31.5 kg) enclosure is the heaviest cabinet near this part of the ranking.
Why pick the Martin Audio CDD12: Martin Audio’s Coaxial Differential Dispersion driver widens horizontal coverage from 60° far away to 110° up close, so level stays more even from front row to back. The catch: Manufacturer measurements give a very low 0.82 standalone preference score and 3.80 with an ideal subwoofer, with a wide 4.0dB reference band and 0.821 listening-window deviation, so its tonal balance is very uneven.
Buy the Martin Audio CDD12, since the Amate Audio X12CLA is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Amate Audio X12CLA | Martin Audio CDD12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,150 Discontinued | Passive |
| Ranked | #58 of 78 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #69 of 78 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | No | Yes |
| Configuration | Active 2-way constant-curvature PA speaker | Passive 2-way coaxial on-wall PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” neodymium woofer, 2.5” compression driver | 12” woofer with coaxial 1” exit compression driver (Coaxial Differential Dispersion) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 19kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 13.9”H x 25.2”W x 19.1”D (352 x 640 x 485 mm) | 22”H x 14.2”W x 13.8”D (560 x 360 x 350 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 1,500W program (1,000W LF + 500W HF, manufacturer specified) | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Cabinet Material | Multilayer birch plywood with weatherproof polyurea finish | Birch plywood |
| Network Control | EtherCON Ethernet connection/link | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 95Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 100° x 15° | 110° to 60° horizontal x 60° (rotatable) |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR input and link | - |
| DSP | Yes, with Ethernet/Wi-Fi control | No (passive) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 69.4 lbs (31.5 kg) | 41.9 lbs (19 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.48 | 0.82 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.07 | 3.80 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Rigging | M8 flying points (multiple combinations for horizontal/vertical arrays via integrated rigging frame), plus optional pole-mount adaptor for tripod/sub-top use | 10 x M8 fly points; 6 x M8 wall bracket inserts |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 55.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Amate Audio X12CLA (measured by the manufacturer) and Martin Audio CDD12 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Amate Audio X12CLA compares with other leading options:
- PreSonus CDL12 vs Amate Audio X12CLA
- Electro-Voice MFX-12MC vs Amate Audio X12CLA
- Amate Audio X12CLA vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- Amate Audio X12CLA vs RCF ART 712-A MK4
- Martin Audio CDD12 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Amate Audio X12CLA: $4,150 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Its medium-quality vendor Spinorama data yields a 4.07 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 58Hz bass extension. The 100° x 15° constant-curvature pattern, 132dB claimed peak output and networked DSP suit tightly controlled flown clusters. Measured bass extension of 71Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The very narrow 15° vertical pattern is specialized rather than broadly useful as a single portable main, and the 31.5kg enclosure is the heaviest cabinet near this part of the ranking. It is discontinued and expensive, while the measured tonal score trails the stronger point-source options.
Full Amate Audio X12CLA review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1,500W program (1,000W LF + 500W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Multilayer birch plywood with weatherproof polyurea finish |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way constant-curvature PA speaker |
| Coverage | 100° x 15° |
| DSP | Yes, with Ethernet/Wi-Fi control |
| Dimensions | 13.9”H x 25.2”W x 19.1”D (352 x 640 x 485 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” neodymium woofer, 2.5” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 19kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR input and link |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Network Control | EtherCON Ethernet connection/link |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | M8 flying points (multiple combinations for horizontal/vertical arrays via integrated rigging frame), plus optional pole-mount adaptor for tripod/sub-top use |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.07 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 69.4 lbs (31.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Martin Audio CDD12 Passive eBay
Same family: the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 (smallest powered model, estimated 3.4/5), the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12 (powered model, ranked higher, estimated 3.1/5), the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 15 (largest powered model, estimated 3.5/5), the Martin Audio CDD5 (smaller passive model, estimated 3/5), the Martin Audio CDD6 (smaller passive model, estimated 3.1/5), the Martin Audio CDD8 (smaller passive model, rated 3.2/5), the Martin Audio CDD10 (smaller passive model, rated 3.1/5) and the Martin Audio CDD15 (larger passive model, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: Martin Audio’s Coaxial Differential Dispersion driver widens horizontal coverage from 60° far away to 110° up close, so level stays more even from front row to back. A 12-inch woofer shares its motor with a 1-inch compression driver in a 19kg birch cabinet, available in any RAL color for installs. Measured bass extension of 95Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Manufacturer measurements give a very low 0.82 standalone preference score and 3.80 with an ideal subwoofer, with a wide 4.0dB reference band and 0.821 listening-window deviation, so its tonal balance is very uneven. Bass measures 95Hz at -3dB. It is passive, aimed at installs, and sold only through dealers.
Full Martin Audio CDD12 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 55.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Birch plywood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial on-wall PA speaker |
| Coverage | 110° to 60° horizontal x 60° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 22”H x 14.2”W x 13.8”D (560 x 360 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer with coaxial 1” exit compression driver (Coaxial Differential Dispersion) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | Yes |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 10 x M8 fly points; 6 x M8 wall bracket inserts |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.82 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.80 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 41.9 lbs (19 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons