Short answer: neither measures well, so buy on the feature you actually need. These rank #36 and #37 of 37 12-inch PA speakers, priced $2390 apart, and both carry real caveats in their own measured data.
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 0.74 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 18.5kg 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 2.75 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.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audiofocus VENU 12a | PreSonus ULT12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,890.00 | $500.00 |
| Ranked | #36 of 37 in 12-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers | #37 of 37 in 12-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers |
| 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) | Not published by PreSonus in the current product specifications |
| 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) | - |
| 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 | - |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Amate Audio X12CLA vs RCF ART 712-A MK4
- RCF ART 732-A MK4 vs RCF ART 712-A MK4
- Electro-Voice MFX-12MC vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- RCF ART 712-A MK4 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
- RCF ART 732-A MK4 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
Prices on this page were last checked September 7, 2026 at 7:47 AM 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
Audiofocus VENU 12a: $2,890.00 eBay
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.
Cons: The low-quality vendor Spinorama data is the weakest tonal result in this category: a 0.74 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 →
| Amplifier Power | Self-powered Class D amplifier; output rating not published by AUDIOFOCUS in the current specification |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 112Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | High-grade birch plywood with polyurea coating |
| 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) |
| Inputs | XLR input and link |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | Adjustable pole mount and M8 threaded inserts |
| Weight | 40.8 lbs / 18.5 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
PreSonus ULT12: $500.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
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.
Cons: The 2.75 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.
Full PreSonus ULT12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1,300W peak / 650W continuous (1,000W / 500W LF; 300W / 150W HF, manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| 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 | Not published by PreSonus in the current product specifications |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| Rigging | M10 suspension points; two-position 35mm pole socket |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons