Short answer: the DB Audiotechnik 44S. It ranks #9 of 16 compact 5 to 6.5-inch pa speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5); the Seeburg X1 ranks #14 (rated 3.4/5).
Why pick the DB Audiotechnik 44S: A 3.6kg cabinet with dual 4.5-inch drivers and a rotatable horn that reaches 123dB, with a low on-axis deviation (narrow-band 0.37). The tradeoff: Bass reaches only about 122Hz (-3dB), so it works as a speech and fill box that needs a subwoofer for music.
What the Seeburg X1 does well: A 5.99 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and a 2.0dB reference band give an even tonal balance from a 5.5kg box. The tradeoff: Bass is very limited, at 97.5Hz for -3dB and about 85Hz for -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for any music at volume.
Buy the DB Audiotechnik 44S. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Seeburg X1.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| DB Audiotechnik 44S | Seeburg X1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $866 |
| Ranked | #9 of 16 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers | #14 of 16 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way compact PA speaker | Passive 2-way coaxial compact speaker |
| Drivers | Dual 4.5” neodymium woofers, dual 1.25” dome tweeters on a rotatable CD horn | 6.5” neodymium woofer (2” voice coil), coaxial 1” neodymium compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 17kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 19kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 150W RMS / 500W peak handling rating | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (self-powered X1 dp version available) |
| Power Handling | 150W RMS / 500W peak (manufacturer specified) | 200W AES / 600W peak |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB (manufacturer specified) | 120dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | Rotatable CD horn (measured 90° x 30°) | 90° x 60° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive; used with d&b amplifiers for presets) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) (13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) with backbox) | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 122Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 97.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.14 | 2.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.61 | 5.99 |
| 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 |
| Dimensions | - | 12.2”H x 7.9”W x 8.7”D (310 x 200 x 220 mm) |
| Sensitivity | - | 92dB (1W/1m) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| Rigging | - | 4x M10 points |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 84.9Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to DB Audiotechnik 44S:
- Meyer Sound Ultra X22 vs DB Audiotechnik 44S
- EAW MKC50 vs DB Audiotechnik 44S
- DB Audiotechnik 44S vs Meyer Sound Ultra X20
- DB Audiotechnik 44S vs Turbosound NuQ62
- DB Audiotechnik 44S vs Kling Freitag CA 106 Pro
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 44S Passive eBay
Pros: A 3.6kg cabinet with dual 4.5-inch drivers and a rotatable horn that reaches 123dB, with a low on-axis deviation (narrow-band 0.37). Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 3.14 standalone and 6.61 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 122Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches only about 122Hz (-3dB), so it works as a speech and fill box that needs a subwoofer for music. It is passive and works properly only with d&b amplifiers, and pricing is dealer quoted.
Full DB Audiotechnik 44S review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 150W RMS / 500W peak handling rating |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 122Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way compact PA speaker |
| Coverage | Rotatable CD horn (measured 90° x 30°) |
| DSP | No (passive; used with d&b amplifiers for presets) |
| Drivers | Dual 4.5” neodymium woofers, dual 1.25” dome tweeters on a rotatable CD horn |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 17kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 150W RMS / 500W peak (manufacturer specified) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.61 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) (13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) with backbox) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Seeburg X1: $866 Passive Thomann eBay
Pros: A 5.99 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and a 2.0dB reference band give an even tonal balance from a 5.5kg box. The coaxial 6.5-inch and 1-inch neodymium drivers keep sound consistent across the 90° x 60° pattern, which suits fills, small rooms and speech. It reaches a 120dB peak and has M10 points for wall and ceiling mounting. Measured bass extension of 97.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass is very limited, at 97.5Hz for -3dB and about 85Hz for -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for any music at volume. The standalone preference score is only 2.52. It is passive and needs an external amplifier with Seeburg presets unless you buy the self-powered X1 dp.
Full Seeburg X1 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (self-powered X1 dp version available) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 84.9Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 97.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial compact speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 12.2”H x 7.9”W x 8.7”D (310 x 200 x 220 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” neodymium woofer (2” voice coil), coaxial 1” neodymium compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 19kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 120dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 200W AES / 600W peak |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 4x M10 points |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (1W/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.99 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons