Short answer: the EAW MKC80. It ranks #10 of 47 8-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $980; the DAS Audio ARTEC 508A ranks #13, rated 3.8/5, and costs $2,180.25, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the EAW MKC80: A light passive 8 inch coaxial speaker with good, balanced sound and a rotatable horn for horizontal or vertical placement. Watch for: Bass reaches only about 85Hz (-3dB), and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.321, so the tonal balance is less even than the best 8-inch models.
The DAS Audio ARTEC 508A is the deeper-bass pick. A compact powered 8 inch installation speaker with balanced sound and wide, even coverage in a birch cabinet. Its bass reaches about 75Hz before falling 3dB, against 85Hz for the EAW MKC80. The catch: Bass reaches only about 75Hz (-3dB), with 60Hz at -10dB, so it needs a subwoofer for full-range music.
Buy the EAW MKC80. It is rated higher for sound quality than the DAS Audio ARTEC 508A and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| EAW MKC80 | DAS Audio ARTEC 508A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $980.00 Passive | $2,180.25 |
| Ranked | #10 of 47 in 8-Inch PA Speakers | #13 of 47 in 8-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Active 2-way full-range PA speaker |
| Drivers | 8” cone woofer with 2” voice coil, 1” exit compression driver with CSA coaxial loading | 8” woofer, M-34 compression driver on BC-88 80° x 80° horn |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 10”W x 10.5”D (422 x 255 x 267 mm) | 17.7”H x 9.6”W x 11.4”D (450 x 245 x 290 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 450W handling rating | 500W RMS, 720W peak (Class D) |
| Power Handling | 450W at 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB (manufacturer specified) | 122dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° (rotatable) | 80° x 80° |
| Sensitivity | 93dB | 91dB |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes |
| Rigging | Integrated M10 mounting points, pole mount | M10 flying points, 35mm pole socket, AXU/AXF/AXR bracket compatible |
| Weight | 22 lbs (10 kg) | 21.8 lbs (9.9 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 75Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.08 | 4.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 | 7.24 |
| 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 | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Inputs | - | Balanced XLR input, Speakon NL4 connector |
| Cabinet Material | - | Birch plywood |
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