Short answer: the Audiofocus VENU 12a, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #72 of 83 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality (rated 2.8/5) at $2,890 and is still sold new; the PreSonus ULT12 ranks #77 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 83 12-inch pa speakers, and the QSC K12.2, ranked #1 at $899.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The VENU 12a’s measured data is the more troubling of the two. Its low-quality vendor Spinorama data is the weakest tonal result flagged in its own category, a 1.13 ideal-subwoofer preference score with roughly 112Hz measured bass extension that conflicts sharply with its claimed 50Hz lower limit. In its favor, it is a light 40.8 lbs (18.5 kg) plywood cabinet with very broad 110° x 60° coverage and a claimed 135dB peak, convenient for wide rooms and rental work, with four onboard presets for quick main-or-monitor setup.
The ULT12 measures better but is still the weakest in its own comparison group. Its medium-quality vendor data reaches 60Hz measured extension with a 3.50 preference score, the weakest in its 15-model group, reflecting major response and directivity irregularity. It does include a rotatable horn, an onboard mixer and broad 110° x 50° nominal coverage useful in shallow rooms, practical live-sound features the VENU 12a does not offer.
Buy the ULT12 if you want an onboard mixer and are willing to add a subwoofer and EQ to work around its measured shortcomings.
Buy the VENU 12a only if the broad coverage and light weight matter more than accurate bass response, and plan on a subwoofer and careful EQ from the start.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audiofocus VENU 12a | PreSonus ULT12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,890 | $999.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #72 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #77 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | No | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1” compression driver | 12” woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 22.3”H x 14.3”W x 14.1”D (566 x 362 x 357 mm) | 25.2”H x 14”W x 13.9”D (641 x 356 x 353 mm) |
| Cabinet Material | High-grade birch plywood with polyurea coating | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Rigging | Adjustable pole mount and M8 threaded inserts | M10 suspension points; two-position 35mm pole socket |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 112Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 110° x 60° | 110° x 50° |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 135dB (1300W peak power) |
| Inputs | XLR input and link | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| Amplifier Power | Self-powered Class D amplifier; output rating not published by AUDIOFOCUS in the current specification | 1,300W peak / 650W continuous (1,000W / 500W LF; 300W / 150W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes, 4 presets | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 40.8 lbs (18.5 kg) | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -2.54 | 0.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 1.13 | 3.50 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| 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 |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
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: Audiofocus VENU 12a (measured by the manufacturer) and PreSonus ULT12 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Audiofocus VENU 12a compares with other leading options:
- QSC K12.2 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
- RCF ART 732-A MK4 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
- RCF ART 712-A MK4 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
- Martin Audio CDD12 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
- KV2 Audio EX12 vs PreSonus ULT12
Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Audiofocus VENU 12a: $2,890 eBay
Same family: the Audiofocus VENU 8a (smaller model, rated 1.9/5) and the Audiofocus VENU 15a (larger model, rated 2.1/5).
Pros: A light 18.5kg plywood cabinet, very broad 110° x 60° coverage and 135dB claimed peak output make it convenient for wide rooms and rental work. Four onboard presets simplify use as a main or monitor. Measured bass extension of 112Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The low-quality vendor Spinorama data is the weakest tonal result in this category: a 1.13 ideal-subwoofer preference score and roughly 102Hz measured bass extension conflict sharply with the claimed 50Hz lower limit. A subwoofer and careful EQ are strongly recommended.
Full Audiofocus VENU 12a review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Self-powered Class D amplifier; output rating not published by AUDIOFOCUS in the current specification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 112Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | High-grade birch plywood with polyurea coating |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 110° x 60° |
| DSP | Yes, 4 presets |
| Dimensions | 22.3”H x 14.3”W x 14.1”D (566 x 362 x 357 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR input and link |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | Adjustable pole mount and M8 threaded inserts |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -2.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 1.13 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 40.8 lbs (18.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
PreSonus ULT12: $999.95 Discontinued eBay
Same family: the PreSonus ULT10 (smaller model, rated 3/5) and the PreSonus ULT15 (larger model, estimated 2.7/5).
Pros: Very broad 110° x 50° nominal coverage can be useful in shallow rooms, and the plywood cabinet, rotatable horn and onboard mixer are practical live-sound features. Measured bass extension reaches 60Hz in the medium-quality vendor data. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3.50 ideal-subwoofer preference score is the weakest in this 15-model group, reflecting major response/directivity irregularity. It is difficult to recommend for sound quality when stronger measured alternatives are available at similar prices. Discontinued.
Full PreSonus ULT12 review and specifications →
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 1,300W peak / 650W continuous (1,000W / 500W LF; 300W / 150W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 110° x 50° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25.2”H x 14”W x 13.9”D (641 x 356 x 353 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB (1300W peak power) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | M10 suspension points; two-position 35mm pole socket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.50 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK4
- PreSonus ULT12 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- PreSonus ULT12 vs Martin Audio XP12
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF HD 12-A MK5
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- PreSonus ULT12 vs Yamaha DBR12
- PreSonus ULT12 vs Yamaha DZR12
- See all 19 comparisons