Short answer: the ART 708-A MK5 for most buyers, the ED80P only for a specific passive install. These rank #27 and #28 out of 47 8-inch powered PA speakers, priced at $950 and $499.
The ED80P is passive. It needs an external amplifier and crossover, and its own cons flag that Axiom has a much smaller North American dealer and service network than JBL, Yamaha or QSC. High-quality vendor data does return a 4.1 ideal-subwoofer preference score from its 1-inch aluminum-voice-coil compression driver and 8-inch woofer in a compact point-source cabinet, but the listing itself cautions that the implied bass reach should be treated with some skepticism for a cabinet this compact.
The ART 708-A MK5 is active, affordable and ready to run. It pairs a 1.4-inch compression driver with 128dB claimed output and RCF’s FiRPHASE processing, aimed at buyers who plan to cross to a subwoofer and don’t need app control. At 22.9 lbs (10.4 kg) it’s easy to carry. Its own cons note the local low-quality manufacturer data has no computed preference score, leaving its measured tonal position uncertain, the same caveat effectively facing the ED80P.
Buy the ART 708-A MK5 if you want a self-powered, subwoofer-paired workhorse without needing to source external amplification.
Buy the ED80P if your project is a passive, amplifier-driven install and you value Axiom’s point-source horn design over broader dealer support.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Axiom ED80P | RCF ART 708-A MK5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $950 Passive, Discontinued | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #27 of 47 in 8-Inch PA Speakers | #28 of 47 in 8-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way full-range PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver | 8” woofer, 1.4” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 18kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 17.7”H x 9.8”W x 9.1”D (450 x 250 x 230 mm) | 18.9”H x 11.5”W x 10.9”D (480 x 291 x 276 mm) |
| Inputs | Two Neutrik speakON NL4 connectors (input and link) | XLR and 1/4-inch jack input; XLR output |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 280W AES / 560W program rating | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) |
| Power Handling | 280W AES / 560W program (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Cabinet Material | 15mm reinforced phenolic birch plywood | PP composite |
| Rigging | M10 and M6 fly points; pole-mount socket | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.48 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.88 | - |
| XLR Input | No | 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 60-120° horizontal (asymmetric), 55° vertical average | 90° x 70° |
| DSP | No (passive, requires external amplifier/DSP) | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) | 22.9 lbs (10.4 kg) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1600Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 75Hz (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: Axiom ED80P (measured by the manufacturer) and RCF ART 708-A MK5 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- FBT J8A vs Axiom ED80P
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Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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
Axiom ED80P: $950 Passive Discontinued eBay
Same family: the Axiom ED60P (smaller model, rated 3.3/5), the Axiom ED120A (larger model, rated 4/5) and the Axiom ED150A (larger model, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: High-quality vendor data returns a 4.9 ideal-subwoofer preference score. A 1-inch aluminum-voice-coil compression driver pairs with the 8-inch woofer in a compact passive point-source cabinet aimed at fixed-install and portable use.
Cons: Being passive, it needs an external amplifier and crossover, and Axiom has a much smaller North American dealer and service network than JBL, Yamaha or QSC. The vendor measurement’s implied bass reach should be treated with some skepticism for a cabinet this compact. Discontinued.
Full Axiom ED80P review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 280W AES / 560W program rating |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | 15mm reinforced phenolic birch plywood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way full-range PA speaker |
| Coverage | 60-120° horizontal (asymmetric), 55° vertical average |
| DSP | No (passive, requires external amplifier/DSP) |
| Dimensions | 17.7”H x 9.8”W x 9.1”D (450 x 250 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 18kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Two Neutrik speakON NL4 connectors (input and link) |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 280W AES / 560W program (manufacturer specified) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | M10 and M6 fly points; pole-mount socket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.88 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
RCF ART 708-A MK5: $499.00 Amazon $499.00 B&H Photo Video $499.00 eBay
Older model: the RCF ART 708-A MK4 (ranked lower, rated 3/5). See every RCF ART 7 generation.
Same family: the RCF ART 710-A MK5 (larger model, rated 3.6/5), the RCF ART 712-A MK5 (larger model, rated 3.6/5), the RCF ART 732-A MK5 (larger model, rated 3.8/5), the RCF ART 715-A MK5 (larger model, rated 3.6/5), the RCF ART 735-A MK5 (larger model, estimated 3.4/5) and the RCF ART 745-A MK5 (larger model, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: A compact, affordable RCF with a 1.4-inch compression driver, 128dB claimed output and FiRPHASE processing, well suited to buyers who plan to cross to a subwoofer and do not need app control. At 10.4kg it is easy to carry. Measured bass extension of 75Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The local low-quality manufacturer data has no computed preference score, making its measured tonal position uncertain.
Full RCF ART 708-A MK5 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | PP composite |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 70° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1600Hz |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection |
| Dimensions | 18.9”H x 11.5”W x 10.9”D (480 x 291 x 276 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1.4” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR and 1/4-inch jack input; XLR output |
| Maximum SPL | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs (10.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- RCF ART 708-A MK5 vs Martin Audio CDD8
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- RCF ART 708-A MK5 vs Seeburg X2
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