Short answer: the d&b audiotechnik 12S. Both are rated 3.8/5 for sound quality (#33 and #32 of 83 12-inch pa speakers), and the d&b audiotechnik 12S costs $1,350 against $1,620 for the d&b audiotechnik 24S, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the d&b audiotechnik 24S: A passive installation speaker with two 12 inch woofers for full range use and a rotatable horn for long throw in larger rooms. The catch: The 3.4dB reference band means tonal balance is less even than the best 12-inch speakers here.
The d&b audiotechnik 12S is the deeper-bass pick. A compact passive 12 inch installation speaker with bass deep enough for speech and background music without a subwoofer. Its bass reaches about 60Hz before falling 3dB, against 69Hz for the d&b audiotechnik 24S. The tradeoff: Listening-window deviation of 0.556 means the tonal balance is less even than the best 12-inch models.
Buy the d&b audiotechnik 12S. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $270 less than the d&b audiotechnik 24S.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| d&b audiotechnik 24S | d&b audiotechnik 12S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,620 Passive | $1,350 Passive |
| Ranked | #32 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #33 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 8 x M10 inserts on top, bottom and sides | M10 inserts in top and bottom panels; 2 x M8 inserts on rear |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way installation loudspeaker | Passive 2-way installation loudspeaker |
| Drivers | 2x 12” neodymium woofers, 1.4” exit compression driver | 12” neodymium woofer, 1.4” compression driver on CD horn |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 18kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) | 48Hz - 18kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 31.5”H x 16.1”W x 16.5”D (800 x 410 x 420 mm) | 25.1”H x 13.3”W x 14.4”D (638 x 338 x 365 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (d&b amplifiers) | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (d&b amplifiers) |
| Power Handling | 500W RMS / 2,000W peak | 300W RMS / 1,600W peak |
| Maximum SPL | 138dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 133dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 75° x 45° (rotatable) | 75° x 50° (rotatable) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 72.8 lbs (33 kg) | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| 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 | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 53Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 46.2Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.11 | 3.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.81 | 5.79 |
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