Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 3.8/5 (#29 and #23 of 50 12-inch pa speakers), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the DB Audiotechnik 12S: Its 3.20 standalone preference score is among the better passive 12-inch results here, and bass reaches 60Hz at -3dB and about 46Hz at -10dB, deep enough to run without a subwoofer for speech and background music. Watch for: Listening-window deviation of 0.556 means the tonal balance is less even than the best 12-inch models.
What the HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA does well: High-quality manufacturer data yields a respectable 6.45 ideal-subwoofer preference score, and the networkable DSP is useful in larger systems. The catch: Measured bass extension is 63Hz and the value proposition depends on needing its system networking and professional rigging features.
Buy the DB Audiotechnik 12S or the HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA 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
| DB Audiotechnik 12S | HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $1,899.00 |
| Ranked | #29 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #23 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way installation loudspeaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” neodymium woofer, 1.4” compression driver on CD horn | 12” woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 18kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) | 64Hz - 19kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 55Hz - 20kHz (-10dB) |
| Dimensions | 25.1”H x 13.3”W x 14.4”D (638 x 338 x 365 mm) | 26.4”H x 14.6”W x 11.8”D (670 x 370 x 300 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (d&b amplifiers) | 2,000W peak (Class D bi-amped, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 300W RMS / 1,600W peak | - |
| Maximum SPL | 133dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 131dB peak / 128dB continuous |
| Coverage | 75° x 50° (rotatable) | 70° x 50° |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | - |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes, network controllable |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | 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 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 63Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 46.2Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.20 | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.79 | 6.45 |
| Inputs | - | XLR/jack combo input, XLR thru and XLR DSP output |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.8kHz FIR (manufacturer specified) |
| Cabinet Material | - | Hybrid birch multiplex/MDF |
| Rigging | - | Three M8 points; DuoTilt 3°/7° pole mount |
| Network Control | - | EtherCON input/thru; DSP CONTROL software |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA:
- FBT Mitus 112A vs HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA
- Yamaha DZR12 vs HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA
- Seeburg X6 vs HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA
- HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA vs RCF ART 732-A MK5
- HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA vs LD Systems DDQ12
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
DB Audiotechnik 12S Passive eBay
Pros: Its 3.20 standalone preference score is among the better passive 12-inch results here, and bass reaches 60Hz at -3dB and about 46Hz at -10dB, deep enough to run without a subwoofer for speech and background music. A 1.4-inch compression driver on a rotatable 75° x 50° horn gives a 133dB peak from a 17kg cabinet, and the 12S-D version offers 110° wide coverage. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Listening-window deviation of 0.556 means the tonal balance is less even than the best 12-inch models. It is passive, needs d&b amplifiers and presets, and is aimed at permanent installs. It is sold only through d&b dealers with no published price.
Full DB Audiotechnik 12S review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (d&b amplifiers) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 46.2Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way installation loudspeaker |
| Coverage | 75° x 50° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 25.1”H x 13.3”W x 14.4”D (638 x 338 x 365 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” neodymium woofer, 1.4” compression driver on CD horn |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 18kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 133dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 300W RMS / 1,600W peak |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.79 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA: $1,899.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: High-quality manufacturer data yields a respectable 6.45 ideal-subwoofer preference score, and the networkable DSP is useful in larger systems. The 112 FA is designed as a full-range cabinet rather than the more monitor-focused XA variant. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Measured bass extension is 63Hz and the value proposition depends on needing its system networking and professional rigging features. US availability is less consistent than QSC, JBL, Yamaha or RCF.
Full HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 2,000W peak (Class D bi-amped, manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Hybrid birch multiplex/MDF |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 70° x 50° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.8kHz FIR (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes, network controllable |
| Dimensions | 26.4”H x 14.6”W x 11.8”D (670 x 370 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 64Hz - 19kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 55Hz - 20kHz (-10dB) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/jack combo input, XLR thru and XLR DSP output |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak / 128dB continuous |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Network Control | EtherCON input/thru; DSP CONTROL software |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | Three M8 points; DuoTilt 3°/7° pole mount |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.45 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons