Short answer: the DAS Audio ARTEC 508A. It ranks #10 of 22 8-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $2,180.25; the Vue Audiotechnik H-8 ranks #16, rated 3.6/5, and costs $3,800, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the DAS Audio ARTEC 508A: 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. Watch for: Bass reaches only about 75Hz (-3dB), with 60Hz at -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for full-range music.
What the Vue Audiotechnik H-8 does well: Low-quality vendor data shows a 5.0 ideal-subwoofer preference score, continuing the h-Class’s Truextent beryllium-diaphragm compression driver in a compact cabinet with a 100° x 50° horn and fanless 2-channel amplification. The tradeoff: At 23.22kg and roughly $3800 this is an unusually heavy and expensive 8-inch box, aimed at rental and touring use rather than casual portability.
Buy the DAS Audio ARTEC 508A. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Vue Audiotechnik H-8 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| DAS Audio ARTEC 508A | Vue Audiotechnik H-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,180.25 | $3,800.00 |
| Ranked | #10 of 22 in 8-Inch PA Speakers | #16 of 22 in 8-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Active 2-way full-range PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, M-34 compression driver on BC-88 80° x 80° horn | 8” woofer, beryllium-diaphragm compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 75Hz - 21kHz (±2.5dB, manufacturer specified); 60Hz - 26kHz (-10dB) |
| Dimensions | 17.7”H x 9.6”W x 11.4”D (450 x 245 x 290 mm) | 18.1”H x 11.3”W x 11.9”D (460 x 286 x 303 mm) |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR input, Speakon NL4 connector | XLR analog/AES input with XLR loop output |
| Amplifier Power | 500W RMS, 720W peak (Class D) | 315W long-term (275W LF + 40W HF); 900W burst (600W LF + 300W HF) |
| Cabinet Material | Birch plywood | Multi-ply birch hardwood |
| Rigging | M10 flying points, 35mm pole socket, AXU/AXF/AXR bracket compatible | Pole mount and integrated hanging points |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 77.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 80° x 80° | 100° x 40° |
| Maximum SPL | 122dB (manufacturer specified) | 122dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 21.8 lbs (9.9 kg) | 51.2 lbs (23.22 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.32 | 2.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.24 | 5.00 |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Network Control | - | Ethernet/IP remote monitoring and control |
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
- Vue Audiotechnik H-8 vs Axiom ED80P
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 508A: $2,180.25 SoundPro eBay
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 →
| 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 |
| 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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Vue Audiotechnik H-8: $3,800.00 eBay
Pros: Low-quality vendor data shows a 5.0 ideal-subwoofer preference score, continuing the h-Class’s Truextent beryllium-diaphragm compression driver in a compact cabinet with a 100° x 50° horn and fanless 2-channel amplification. Measured bass extension of 77.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: At 23.22kg and roughly $3800 this is an unusually heavy and expensive 8-inch box, aimed at rental and touring use rather than casual portability.
Full Vue Audiotechnik H-8 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 315W long-term (275W LF + 40W HF); 900W burst (600W LF + 300W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Multi-ply birch hardwood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 100° x 40° |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 18.1”H x 11.3”W x 11.9”D (460 x 286 x 303 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, beryllium-diaphragm compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 21kHz (±2.5dB, manufacturer specified); 60Hz - 26kHz (-10dB) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR analog/AES input with XLR loop output |
| Maximum SPL | 122dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Network Control | Ethernet/IP remote monitoring and control |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | Pole mount and integrated hanging points |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.00 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 51.2 lbs (23.22 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons