Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 3.9/5 (#9 and #8 of 22 8-inch pa speakers), so choose on features and fit.
What the EAW MKC80 does well: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.08 standalone and 7.10 with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: 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 case for the Vue Audiotechnik A-8: Low-quality vendor data shows a 5.61 ideal-subwoofer preference score, the strongest measured result among the passive entries in this ranking. The catch: Being passive, it needs an external amplifier and processing to perform correctly, adding cost and complexity that self-powered rivals avoid.
Buy the EAW MKC80 or the Vue Audiotechnik A-8 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
| EAW MKC80 | Vue Audiotechnik A-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $999.00 |
| Ranked | #9 of 22 in 8-Inch PA Speakers | #8 of 22 in 8-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 8” cone woofer with 2” voice coil, 1” exit compression driver with CSA coaxial loading | 8” neodymium woofer, aluminum-dome compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 75Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 10”W x 10.5”D (422 x 255 x 267 mm) | 18.1” x 11.3” x 10.8” (460 x 286 x 274 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 450W handling rating | Passive speaker; external amplifier required (manufacturer output rating not published in the current product page) |
| Power Handling | 450W at 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB (manufacturer specified) | 124dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° (rotatable) | 70° x 55°, rotatable |
| Sensitivity | 93dB | - |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive, passive crossover network only) |
| Rigging | Integrated M10 mounting points, pole mount | Integrated fly points and pole-mount system |
| Weight | 22 lbs (10 kg) | 28.9 lbs (13.1 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 90Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.08 | 2.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 | 5.61 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Cabinet Material | - | Multi-ply cross-grain laminated birch plywood |
| Inputs | - | 2x Neutrik NL-4 Speakon |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Vue Audiotechnik A-8 compares with other leading options:
- Turbosound NuQ82 vs Vue Audiotechnik A-8
- RCF KX 08-A vs Vue Audiotechnik A-8
- Vue Audiotechnik A-8 vs LD Systems Stinger 8-A-G3
- Vue Audiotechnik A-8 vs FBT J8A
- Vue Audiotechnik A-8 vs Seeburg X2
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
Vue Audiotechnik A-8: $999.00 Passive eBay
Pros: Low-quality vendor data shows a 5.61 ideal-subwoofer preference score, the strongest measured result among the passive entries in this ranking. A neodymium woofer and aluminum-dome compression driver on a rotatable 70° x 55° horn keep amplification and DSP choices flexible for installers. Measured bass extension of 90Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Being passive, it needs an external amplifier and processing to perform correctly, adding cost and complexity that self-powered rivals avoid. Measured bass extension is shallow at roughly 90Hz.
Full Vue Audiotechnik A-8 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; external amplifier required (manufacturer output rating not published in the current product page) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Multi-ply cross-grain laminated birch plywood |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 70° x 55°, rotatable |
| DSP | No (passive, passive crossover network only) |
| Dimensions | 18.1” x 11.3” x 10.8” (460 x 286 x 274 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” neodymium woofer, aluminum-dome compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| Inputs | 2x Neutrik NL-4 Speakon |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Rigging | Integrated fly points and pole-mount system |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.61 |
| Weight | 28.9 lbs (13.1 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons