Short answer: the EAW MKC80. Both are rated 3.9/5 for sound quality (#10 and #9 of 47 8-inch pa speakers), and the EAW MKC80 costs $980 against $999 for the Vue Audiotechnik A-8, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The EAW MKC80 is the more accurate choice. A light passive 8 inch coaxial speaker with good, balanced sound and a rotatable horn for horizontal or vertical placement. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.08 against 2.35 for the Vue Audiotechnik A-8. 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.
The case for the Vue Audiotechnik A-8: A passive 8 inch PA speaker with good sound and a rotatable horn, a flexible choice for installers. 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. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $19 less than the Vue Audiotechnik A-8.
Want more options? Browse the full 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| EAW MKC80 | Vue Audiotechnik A-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $980.00 Passive | $999 Passive |
| Ranked | #10 of 47 in 8-Inch PA Speakers | #9 of 47 in 8-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
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