Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.0/5 (#2 and #3 of 16 compact 5 to 6.5-inch pa speakers), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the DAS Audio ARTEC 506A: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.76 with an ideal subwoofer, the highest ideal-subwoofer score in this ranking. The catch: Bass reaches only about 88Hz (-3dB), with 65Hz at -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for anything but speech and background music.
What the Alcons Audio VR5 V1 does well: High-quality vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.04 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, and predicted in-room smoothness is 0.73. Watch for: Bass reaches only about 80Hz (-3dB), and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.408, so a subwoofer is needed for music.
Buy the DAS Audio ARTEC 506A or the Alcons Audio VR5 V1 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| DAS Audio ARTEC 506A | Alcons Audio VR5 V1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,180.25 | - |
| Ranked | #2 of 16 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers | #3 of 16 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Active 2-way full-range PA speaker | Passive 2-way compact monitor |
| Drivers | 6” woofer with 2” voice coil, M-34 compression driver on BC-88 80° x 80° horn | 5” mid-bass with Active Coil, RBN202 pro-ribbon |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 7.7”W x 10.2”D (385 x 195 x 260 mm) | - |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR input with loop-through, Speakon NL4 connector | - |
| Amplifier Power | 500W (Class D), 720W peak | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (500W peak input to the ribbon section) |
| Cabinet Material | Birch plywood | - |
| Rigging | M10 flying points | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 80Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 80° x 80° | - |
| Maximum SPL | 118dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| DSP | Yes | No (passive) |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9.0 kg) | - |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.76 | 7.06 |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How DAS Audio ARTEC 506A compares with other leading options:
- DAS Audio ARTEC 526A vs DAS Audio ARTEC 506A
- DAS Audio ARTEC 506A vs L-Acoustics X6i
- DAS Audio ARTEC 506A vs Meyer Sound Ultra X22
- DAS Audio ARTEC 506A vs EAW MKC60
- DAS Audio ARTEC 526A vs Alcons Audio VR5 V1
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
DAS Audio ARTEC 506A: $2,180.25 SoundPro eBay
Pros: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.76 with an ideal subwoofer, the highest ideal-subwoofer score in this ranking. A 500W amplifier reaches 118dB from a single 6-inch woofer in a 9kg birch cabinet. The 80° x 80° horn holds coverage in either orientation, with predicted in-room smoothness of 0.833. Measured bass extension of 88Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches only about 88Hz (-3dB), with 65Hz at -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for anything but speech and background music. Listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.31, and the price is high for a compact 6-inch installation speaker.
Full DAS Audio ARTEC 506A review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W (Class D), 720W peak |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Birch plywood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way full-range PA speaker |
| Coverage | 80° x 80° |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 7.7”W x 10.2”D (385 x 195 x 260 mm) |
| Drivers | 6” woofer with 2” voice coil, M-34 compression driver on BC-88 80° x 80° horn |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR input with loop-through, Speakon NL4 connector |
| Maximum SPL | 118dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | M10 flying points |
| Sensitivity | 90dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.76 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9.0 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Alcons Audio VR5 V1 Passive eBay
Pros: High-quality vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.04 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, and predicted in-room smoothness is 0.73. The pro-ribbon high-frequency driver stays linear at any level, and the compact cabinet suits near-field and stage monitor duty. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches only about 80Hz (-3dB), and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.408, so a subwoofer is needed for music. It is passive and priced by dealers well above ordinary compact monitors.
Full Alcons Audio VR5 V1 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (500W peak input to the ribbon section) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way compact monitor |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Drivers | 5” mid-bass with Active Coil, RBN202 pro-ribbon |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons