Short answer: the ART 715-A MK4 if you want self-powered convenience, the B215XL if you’re on a tight budget and already have amplification. These rank #61 and #62 out of 75 15-inch powered PA speakers, priced at $329 and $500, a $171 gap. The RCF ART 715-A MK4 is discontinued; its replacement is the RCF ART 715-A MK5. If you are buying new, get the RCF ART 715-A MK5.
The B215XL is the cheapest option here, with a documented measurement to back it. High-quality independent measurement data gives a clear, well-documented result: a 3.39 ideal-subwoofer preference score with 77Hz extension. At a fraction of the price of every active speaker here, it is a genuine budget entry point for a 15-inch two-way box. Being passive, it needs an external amplifier and crossover to work at all, and RMS power handling and build quality trail every powered alternative in this ranking. The 70° x 40° pattern is also on the narrow side.
The ART 715-A MK4 is self-powered but its measurement is unconfirmed. The 43.2 lbs (19.6 kg) cabinet combines 130dB claimed peak output, a broad horn and RCF’s FiRPHASE processing in a straightforward, affordable package for a 15-inch box. The low-quality vendor measurement is truncated and cannot produce a reliable preference score, and this discontinued MK4 offers little reason to choose it over the newer ART 715-A MK5 unless the used price is substantially lower.
Buy the B215XL if budget is the priority and you already have an amplifier and crossover in place.
Buy the ART 715-A MK4 if you want self-powered simplicity and RCF’s onboard FiRPHASE processing, even without a confirmed measurement.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Behringer Eurolive B215XL | RCF ART 715-A MK4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.00 Passive | $500.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #61 of 75 in 15-Inch PA Speakers | #62 of 75 in 15-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 15” woofer, 1.75” titanium-diaphragm compression driver | 15” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 27.4”H x 17.3”W x 13.2”D (695 x 440 x 335 mm) | 27.9”H x 17.2”W x 15.3”D (708 x 437 x 389 mm) |
| Inputs | Parallel professional twist-lock and quarter-inch inputs | XLR/jack combo input; XLR output |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 1,000W peak handling rating | 1,400W peak / 700W RMS (1,000W LF + 400W HF peak, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 1,000W peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Cabinet Material | Molded enclosure | Polypropylene composite |
| Rigging | Standard speaker-pole mount; optional wall bracket | Two M10 fly points; 35mm pole socket |
| Coverage | 70° x 40° | 100° x 60° |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, independent data) | 65Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 38.8 lbs (17.6 kg) | 43.2 lbs (19.6 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.25 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.39 | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | 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 |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB (manufacturer specified) | 130dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| 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. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Behringer Eurolive B215XL (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and RCF ART 715-A MK4 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Behringer Eurolive B215XL compares with other leading options:
- RCF ART 735-A MK4 vs Behringer Eurolive B215XL
- DAS Audio Vantec 15A vs Behringer Eurolive B215XL
- Behringer Eurolive B215XL vs Yamaha DBR15
- Behringer Eurolive B215XL vs Yamaha CBR15
- RCF ART 715-A MK4 vs Yamaha DBR15
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Behringer Eurolive B215XL: $329.00 Passive Amazon $329.00 B&H Photo Video $329.00 eBay
Same family: the Behringer Eurolive B212XL (smaller model, rated 2.3/5).
Pros: High-quality independent measurement data gives a clear, well-documented result: a 3.39 ideal-subwoofer preference score with 77Hz extension. At a fraction of the price of every active speaker here, it is a genuine budget entry point for a 15-inch two-way box. Measured bass extension of 85Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Being passive, it needs an external amplifier and crossover to work at all, and RMS power handling and build quality trail every powered alternative in this ranking. The 70° x 40° pattern is on the narrow side.
Full Behringer Eurolive B215XL review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 1,000W peak handling rating |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, independent data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Molded enclosure |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 70° x 40° |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 27.4”H x 17.3”W x 13.2”D (695 x 440 x 335 mm) |
| Drivers | 15” woofer, 1.75” titanium-diaphragm compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Parallel professional twist-lock and quarter-inch inputs |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 1,000W peak (manufacturer specified) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | Standard speaker-pole mount; optional wall bracket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.39 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 38.8 lbs (17.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
RCF ART 715-A MK4: $500.00 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the RCF ART 715-A MK5, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5, released Jan 2024. See every RCF ART 7 generation.
Pros: The 19.6kg cabinet combines 130dB claimed peak output, a broad horn and RCF’s FiRPHASE processing in a straightforward, affordable package for a 15-inch box. Measured bass extension of 65Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The low-quality vendor measurement is truncated and cannot produce a reliable preference score. This discontinued MK4 offers little reason to choose it over the newer RCF ART 715-A MK5 unless the used price is substantially lower.
Full RCF ART 715-A MK4 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 1,400W peak / 700W RMS (1,000W LF + 400W HF peak, manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene composite |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 100° x 60° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection |
| Dimensions | 27.9”H x 17.2”W x 15.3”D (708 x 437 x 389 mm) |
| Drivers | 15” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/jack combo input; XLR output |
| Maximum SPL | 130dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | Two M10 fly points; 35mm pole socket |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 43.2 lbs (19.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- RCF ART 715-A MK4 vs Yamaha DBR15
- RCF ART 715-A MK4 vs DAS Audio Vantec 15A
- RCF ART 715-A MK4 vs Audiofocus VENU 15a
- RCF ART 715-A MK4 vs RCF ART 735-A MK4
- RCF ART 715-A MK4 vs RCF ART 745-A MK4
- RCF ART 715-A MK4 vs RCF ART 745-A MK5
- RCF ART 715-A MK4 vs RCF NX 915-A
- RCF ART 715-A MK4 vs RCF ART 715-A MK5
- See all 20 comparisons