Short answer: the EAW MKC50. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#9 and #10 of 39 compact 5 to 6.5-inch pa speakers), and the EAW MKC50 costs $375 against $1,500 for the d&b audiotechnik 44S, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The EAW MKC50 is the deeper-bass option. A tiny passive coaxial speaker with very wide coverage and solid output, small enough to tuck into a wall or corner. Its bass reaches about 103Hz before falling 3dB, against 122Hz for the d&b audiotechnik 44S. The catch: Bass reaches only about 103Hz (-3dB), so it needs a subwoofer for anything but speech, and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.469 is modest.
What the d&b audiotechnik 44S does well: A small passive speech and fill speaker with dual 4.5 inch drivers and a rotatable horn, built for d&b amplifiers. The catch: Bass reaches only about 122Hz (-3dB), so it works as a speech and fill box that needs a subwoofer for music.
Buy the EAW MKC50. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $1,125 less than the d&b audiotechnik 44S.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| EAW MKC50 | d&b audiotechnik 44S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $375.00 each Passive | $1,500 Passive |
| Ranked | #9 of 39 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers | #10 of 39 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 4 x M5 threaded pattern for wall or ceiling bracket | 2 x M8 inserts on rear panel |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Passive 2-way compact PA speaker |
| Drivers | 5.25” low-frequency driver, 1” dome tweeter (coaxial) | Dual 4.5” neodymium woofers, dual 1.25” dome tweeters on a rotatable CD horn |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 90Hz - 17kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 9.3”H x 6.5”W x 5.6”D (235 x 165 x 141 mm) | - |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 150W handling rating | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 150W RMS / 500W peak handling rating |
| Power Handling | 150W (manufacturer specified) | 150W RMS / 500W peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 121dB (manufacturer specified) | 123dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 110° x 110° | Rotatable CD horn (measured 90° x 30°) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | - |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive; used with d&b amplifiers for presets) |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) (13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) with backbox) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 122Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.37 | 3.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.89 | 6.61 |
| 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How EAW MKC50 compares with other leading options: