Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 3.8/5 (#28 and #29 of 50 12-inch pa speakers), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the DB Audiotechnik 24S: Manufacturer measurements give preference scores of 3.11 standalone and 5.81 with an ideal subwoofer, and two 12-inch woofers reach 69Hz at -3dB and about 53Hz at -10dB. The catch: The 3.4dB reference band means tonal balance is less even than the best 12-inch speakers here.
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 catch: Listening-window deviation of 0.556 means the tonal balance is less even than the best 12-inch models.
Buy the DB Audiotechnik 24S or the DB Audiotechnik 12S on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| DB Audiotechnik 24S | DB Audiotechnik 12S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | - |
| Ranked | #28 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #29 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for DB Audiotechnik 24S:
- Seeburg X6 vs DB Audiotechnik 24S
- Coda Audio G712 vs DB Audiotechnik 24S
- DB Audiotechnik 24S vs DAS Audio Vantec 12A
- DB Audiotechnik 12S vs HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 FA
- DB Audiotechnik 12S 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 24S Passive eBay
Pros: Manufacturer measurements give preference scores of 3.11 standalone and 5.81 with an ideal subwoofer, and two 12-inch woofers reach 69Hz at -3dB and about 53Hz at -10dB. A 1.4-inch compression driver on a rotatable 75° x 45° horn and a 138dB peak rating give long throw for larger rooms. It can run full range on its own or pair with d&b xS subwoofers. Measured bass extension of 69Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3.4dB reference band means tonal balance is less even than the best 12-inch speakers here. It is a large 33kg passive cabinet meant for permanent installs, needing d&b amplifiers and presets. It is sold only through d&b dealers with no published price.
Full DB Audiotechnik 24S review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (d&b amplifiers) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 53Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way installation loudspeaker |
| Coverage | 75° x 45° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 31.5”H x 16.1”W x 16.5”D (800 x 410 x 420 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 12” neodymium woofers, 1.4” exit compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 18kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 138dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 500W RMS / 2,000W peak |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.81 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 72.8 lbs (33 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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