Short answer: the d&b audiotechnik 24S. It ranks #32 of 83 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $1,620; the DAS Audio Vantec 12A ranks #38, rated 3.7/5, and costs $1,645.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The d&b audiotechnik 24S is the more accurate pick. A passive installation speaker with two 12 inch woofers for full range use and a rotatable horn for long throw in larger rooms. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.11 against 0.48 for the DAS Audio Vantec 12A. The catch: The 3.4dB reference band means tonal balance is less even than the best 12-inch speakers here.
What the DAS Audio Vantec 12A does well: A feature rich 12 inch powered event speaker with an onboard mixer, Bluetooth audio and loud output. It keeps a wired aux input, which the d&b audiotechnik 24S lacks. It has a microphone input for karaoke or announcements, which the d&b audiotechnik 24S lacks. The tradeoff: Its measured tonal score is below the category leaders and the 47.4 lbs (21.5 kg) plywood cabinet is not especially light.
Buy the d&b audiotechnik 24S. It is rated higher for sound quality than the DAS Audio Vantec 12A and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| d&b audiotechnik 24S | DAS Audio Vantec 12A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,620 Passive | $1,645.99 |
| Ranked | #32 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #38 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 8 x M10 inserts on top, bottom and sides | M10 rigging points |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way installation loudspeaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 2x 12” neodymium woofers, 1.4” exit compression driver | 12” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 18kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 31.5”H x 16.1”W x 16.5”D (800 x 410 x 420 mm) | 24.4”H x 15”W x 15”D (620 x 380 x 380 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (d&b amplifiers) | 750W continuous / 1,500W peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 500W RMS / 2,000W peak | - |
| Maximum SPL | 138dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 75° x 45° (rotatable) | 90° x 50° |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | - |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes, FIR filters, presets, EQ and delay |
| Weight | 72.8 lbs (33 kg) | 47.4 lbs (21.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, audio streaming and DASlink control |
| XLR Input | No | 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 | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Microphone Input | No | Yes |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 71Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 53Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.11 | 0.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.81 | 3.40 |
| Cabinet Material | - | Birch plywood |
| Network Control | - | DAScontrol and DASlink app |
| Inputs | - | 2 x XLR mic/line, 3.5mm aux, XLR loop |
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