Short answer: the EAW MKC80. It ranks #9 of 22 8-inch pa speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5); the Meyer Sound Ultra X40 ranks #11 (rated 3.8/5).
What the EAW MKC80 does well: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.08 standalone and 7.10 with an ideal subwoofer. The tradeoff: 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.
Why pick the Meyer Sound Ultra X40: Bass reaches 65Hz at -3dB and about 57Hz at -10dB, deep for a pair of 8-inch woofers, and manufacturer measurements give a 5.43 preference score with an ideal subwoofer. Watch for: The 3.8dB reference band and 0.66 listening-window deviation make its tonal balance rougher than the Ultra X20’s, with a 2.73 standalone score.
Buy the EAW MKC80. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Meyer Sound Ultra X40.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| EAW MKC80 | Meyer Sound Ultra X40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | - |
| Ranked | #9 of 22 in 8-Inch PA Speakers | #11 of 22 in 8-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Self-powered 2-way concentric loudspeaker |
| Drivers | 8” cone woofer with 2” voice coil, 1” exit compression driver with CSA coaxial loading | 2x 8” cone woofers, concentric 3” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 56Hz - 19kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 10”W x 10.5”D (422 x 255 x 267 mm) | 22.3”H x 12.5”W x 14”D (567 x 318 x 356 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 450W handling rating | 1,950W peak, 3-channel Class D |
| Power Handling | 450W at 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB (manufacturer specified) | 127dB linear peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° (rotatable) | 110° x 50° Constant-Q horn |
| Sensitivity | 93dB | - |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes, Galileo GEN-1 networked processing |
| Rigging | Integrated M10 mounting points, pole mount | - |
| Weight | 22 lbs (10 kg) | Under 55.1 lbs (25 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 65Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.08 | 2.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 | 5.43 |
| 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 |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 56.8Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Network Control | - | Galileo GEN-1 networked audio and DSP control |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for EAW MKC80:
- L-Acoustics X8 vs EAW MKC80
- EAW MKC80 vs Vue Audiotechnik A-8
- EAW MKC80 vs DAS Audio ARTEC 508A
- Meyer Sound Ultra X40 vs LD Systems Stinger 8-A-G3
- Meyer Sound Ultra X40 vs Coda Audio HOPS8
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
EAW MKC80 Passive Full Compass eBay
Pros: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.08 standalone and 7.10 with an ideal subwoofer. A 93dB sensitivity and 450W handling deliver a 132dB peak rating from a 10kg cabinet, and the rotatable 90° x 60° coaxial horn suits horizontal or vertical placement. Measured bass extension of 85Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 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. It is passive, so an amplifier and processor with EAW presets are needed to play it.
Full EAW MKC80 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 450W handling rating |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 10”W x 10.5”D (422 x 255 x 267 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” cone woofer with 2” voice coil, 1” exit compression driver with CSA coaxial loading |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 450W at 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | Integrated M10 mounting points, pole mount |
| Sensitivity | 93dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22 lbs (10 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Meyer Sound Ultra X40 eBay
Pros: Bass reaches 65Hz at -3dB and about 57Hz at -10dB, deep for a pair of 8-inch woofers, and manufacturer measurements give a 5.43 preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The concentric 3-inch compression driver and 110° x 50° Constant-Q horn give wide, even coverage, and the built-in 1,950W peak amplifier reaches 127dB. Networked Galileo processing and a sub-25kg weight make it easy to fly or pole-mount. Measured bass extension of 65Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3.8dB reference band and 0.66 listening-window deviation make its tonal balance rougher than the Ultra X20’s, with a 2.73 standalone score. It is sold through pro dealers with no published price, and Sweetwater requires a sales engineer to order it.
Full Meyer Sound Ultra X40 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1,950W peak, 3-channel Class D |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 56.8Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Self-powered 2-way concentric loudspeaker |
| Coverage | 110° x 50° Constant-Q horn |
| DSP | Yes, Galileo GEN-1 networked processing |
| Dimensions | 22.3”H x 12.5”W x 14”D (567 x 318 x 356 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” cone woofers, concentric 3” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 19kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 127dB linear peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Network Control | Galileo GEN-1 networked audio and DSP control |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.43 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | Under 55.1 lbs (25 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons