Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 3.8/5 (#29 and #24 of 50 12-inch pa speakers), so choose on features and fit.
What the DB Audiotechnik 12S does well: 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. The tradeoff: Listening-window deviation of 0.556 means the tonal balance is less even than the best 12-inch models.
The case for the RCF ART 732-A MK5: Its large 3-inch high-frequency voice coil is a meaningful advantage for vocal headroom and a lower crossover region, while 131dB claimed output and 90° x 60° coverage fit common portable-main work. The catch: The local low-quality vendor data does not provide a computed preference score, so its tonal ranking is provisional.
Buy the DB Audiotechnik 12S or the RCF ART 732-A MK5 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 | RCF ART 732-A MK5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $849.00 |
| Ranked | #29 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #24 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, 1.4” compression driver with 3” voice coil |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 18kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 25.1”H x 13.3”W x 14.4”D (638 x 338 x 365 mm) | 25.1”H x 15.2”W x 14.3”D (637 x 387 x 363 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (d&b amplifiers) | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) |
| Power Handling | 300W RMS / 1,600W peak | - |
| Maximum SPL | 133dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 75° x 50° (rotatable) | 90° x 60° |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | - |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) | 39.2 lbs (17.8 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) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 46.2Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.20 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.79 | - |
| Inputs | - | XLR/TRS combo |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 700Hz |
| Cabinet Material | - | PP composite |
| Rigging | - | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount |
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- RCF KX 32-A vs RCF ART 732-A MK5
- RCF ART 932-A vs RCF ART 732-A MK5
- RCF NX 932-A vs RCF ART 732-A MK5
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
RCF ART 732-A MK5: $849.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Older model: the RCF ART 732-A MK4 (rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Its large 3-inch high-frequency voice coil is a meaningful advantage for vocal headroom and a lower crossover region, while 131dB claimed output and 90° x 60° coverage fit common portable-main work. It offers much of RCF’s high-frequency hardware at a lower price than the ART 932-A.
Cons: The local low-quality vendor data does not provide a computed preference score, so its tonal ranking is provisional. Controls are basic, with no app, display or Bluetooth audio.
Full RCF ART 732-A MK5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | PP composite |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| Crossover Frequency | 700Hz |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25.1”H x 15.2”W x 14.3”D (637 x 387 x 363 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1.4” compression driver with 3” voice coil |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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