Short answer: the DAS Audio ARTEC 506A. It ranks #2 of 16 compact 5 to 6.5-inch pa speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5); the L-Acoustics X6i ranks #4 (rated 3.9/5).
What the DAS Audio ARTEC 506A does well: 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 tradeoff: Bass reaches only about 88Hz (-3dB), with 65Hz at -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for anything but speech and background music.
What the L-Acoustics X6i does well: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.20 standalone and 7.34 with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: A passive cabinet that needs an L-Acoustics amplified controller such as the LA2Xi, LA4X or LA7.16i.
Buy the DAS Audio ARTEC 506A. It is rated higher for sound quality than the L-Acoustics X6i.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| DAS Audio ARTEC 506A | L-Acoustics X6i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,180.25 | - |
| Ranked | #2 of 16 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers | #4 of 16 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Active 2-way full-range PA speaker | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Drivers | 6” woofer with 2” voice coil, M-34 compression driver on BC-88 80° x 80° horn | 6.5” low-frequency driver, 1.5” compression driver (coaxial) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 69Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 7.7”W x 10.2”D (385 x 195 x 260 mm) | 14.3”H x 7.4”W x 6.7”D (362 x 187 x 170 mm) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR input with loop-through, Speakon NL4 connector | 2-point terminal block input and link |
| Amplifier Power | 500W (Class D), 720W peak | Passive speaker; requires an L-Acoustics amplified controller (LA2Xi, LA4X or LA7.16i) |
| Cabinet Material | Birch plywood | Baltic beech and birch plywood |
| Rigging | M10 flying points | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 90Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 80° x 80° | 90° axisymmetric |
| Maximum SPL | 118dB (manufacturer specified) | 123dB (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes | No (passive; processing and protection come from the amplified controller) |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9.0 kg) | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 | 4.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.76 | 7.34 |
| 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 |
| IP Rating | - | IP55 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to DAS Audio ARTEC 506A:
- DAS Audio ARTEC 526A vs DAS Audio ARTEC 506A
- DAS Audio ARTEC 506A vs Alcons Audio VR5 V1
- DAS Audio ARTEC 506A vs Meyer Sound Ultra X22
- DAS Audio ARTEC 506A vs EAW MKC60
- L-Acoustics X6i vs EAW MKC60
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
L-Acoustics X6i Passive eBay
Pros: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.20 standalone and 7.34 with an ideal subwoofer. The 90° axisymmetric coaxial pattern is even, with listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.23 and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.572. It is an IP55 rated 6.3kg cabinet that reaches 123dB, which suits weather-exposed installs and near-field monitoring. Measured bass extension of 90Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A passive cabinet that needs an L-Acoustics amplified controller such as the LA2Xi, LA4X or LA7.16i. Bass reaches only about 90Hz (-3dB), so a subwoofer is required for anything beyond speech and light music. Pricing is dealer quoted and high for a 6.5-inch box.
Full L-Acoustics X6i review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires an L-Acoustics amplified controller (LA2Xi, LA4X or LA7.16i) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Baltic beech and birch plywood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° axisymmetric |
| DSP | No (passive; processing and protection come from the amplified controller) |
| Dimensions | 14.3”H x 7.4”W x 6.7”D (362 x 187 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” low-frequency driver, 1.5” compression driver (coaxial) |
| Frequency Response | 69Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Inputs | 2-point terminal block input and link |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons