DAS Audio ARTEC 508A vs HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA

Short answer: the DAS Audio ARTEC 508A. It ranks #11 of 44 8-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $2,180.25; the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA ranks #30, rated 3.3/5, and costs $2,869.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.

The DAS Audio ARTEC 508A is the better-sounding option. Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.32 standalone and 7.24 with an ideal subwoofer, near the top of the 8-inch ranking. The catch: Bass reaches only about 75Hz (-3dB), with 60Hz at -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for full-range music.

What the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA does well: Part of HK Audio’s LINEAR 5 MK II series alongside the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 FA: a long-throw top with three 8” woofers whose asymmetric vertical pattern reaches about 40 meters. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.

Buy the DAS Audio ARTEC 508A. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.

About the ratings: the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 2.9 to 3.7, so this verdict could change once it is measured.

Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Speaker Comparisons

How DAS Audio ARTEC 508A compares with other leading options:

• RCF KX 08-A vs DAS Audio ARTEC 508A
• EAW MKC80 vs DAS Audio ARTEC 508A
• DAS Audio ARTEC 508A vs Coda Audio HOPS8
• DAS Audio ARTEC 508A vs Seeburg X2
• DAS Audio ARTEC 508A vs Vue Audiotechnik H-8

Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 508A: $2,180.25 SoundPro eBay

Same family: the DAS Audio ARTEC 506A (smaller model, rated 4/5), the DAS Audio ARTEC 526A (smaller model, rated 4.1/5) and the DAS Audio ARTEC 510A (larger model, rated 3.6/5).

Pros: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.32 standalone and 7.24 with an ideal subwoofer, near the top of the 8-inch ranking. Predicted in-room smoothness is 0.622 with a wide, even 80° x 80° pattern. The 500W built-in amplifier and DSP reach 122dB in a 9.9kg birch cabinet with 91dB sensitivity. Measured bass extension of 75Hz (-3dB).

Cons: Bass reaches only about 75Hz (-3dB), with 60Hz at -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for full-range music. Listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.30, less even than the best 8-inch models. The installation styling and high price make it costly for what is a compact 8-inch box.

Full DAS Audio ARTEC 508A review and specifications →

Released	Jun 2012 (14 years ago)
AES Input	No
Amplifier Power	500W RMS, 720W peak (Class D)
Aux Input	No
Bass Extension (-3dB)	75Hz (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	17.7”H x 9.6”W x 11.4”D (450 x 245 x 290 mm)
Drivers	8” woofer, M-34 compression driver on BC-88 80° x 80° horn
Frequency Response	60Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified)
Guitar Input	No
HDMI Input	No
Inputs	Balanced XLR input, Speakon NL4 connector
Maximum SPL	122dB (manufacturer specified)
Microphone Input	No
Optical Input	No
Passive	No
RCA Input	No
Rigging	M10 flying points, 35mm pole socket, AXU/AXF/AXR bracket compatible
Sensitivity	91dB
Spinorama Preference Score	4.32
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub	7.24
TRS Input	No
USB Input	No
Weight	21.8 lbs (9.9 kg)
XLR Input	Yes

• Links
  • DAS Audio ARTEC-508A Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Spinorama Measurements
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • DAS Audio ARTEC 508A vs EAW MKC80
  • DAS Audio ARTEC 508A vs RCF KX 08-A
  • DAS Audio ARTEC 508A vs Coda Audio HOPS8
  • DAS Audio ARTEC 508A vs Seeburg X2
  • DAS Audio ARTEC 508A vs Vue Audiotechnik H-8

HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA: $2,869.99 Estimated Full Compass eBay

Same family: the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 110 XA (smaller model, estimated 3.6/5), the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 FA (smaller model, estimated 3.7/5), the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 XA (smaller model, estimated 3.7/5), the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 115 FA (smaller model, estimated 3.6/5) and the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 115 XA (smaller model, estimated 3.5/5). See every HK Audio Linear 5 generation.

Pros: Part of HK Audio’s LINEAR 5 MK II series alongside the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 FA: a long-throw top with three 8” woofers whose asymmetric vertical pattern reaches about 40 meters. A 1,200W peak (600W RMS) bi-amplified Class D module with DSP drives it, and HK rates it at 138dB peak with 60° horizontal, asymmetric vertical long throw coverage.

Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. Bass stops around 105Hz, so it must be paired with subwoofers.

Full HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA review and specifications →

Released	Nov 2023 (2 years ago)
Amplifier Power	1,200W peak (600W RMS), bi-amplified
Bluetooth	No
Configuration	Active 2-way PA speaker
Coverage	60° horizontal, asymmetric vertical long throw
DSP	Yes
Drivers	3x 8” woofers, 1” compression driver
Frequency Response	105Hz - 18kHz (-6dB) (manufacturer specified)
Maximum SPL	138dB peak (manufacturer specified)
Passive	No
Rigging	5 x M8 rigging points; MonoTilt 0° pole mount
Weight	55.1 lbs (25 kg)
XLR Input	Yes

• Links
  • Official HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA Website
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA vs Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8
  • HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA vs Bose AMM108