Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.0/5 (#16 and #17 of 50 12-inch pa speakers), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the EAW MKD1200: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.78 standalone and 7.20 with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: A 47kg passive 3-way cabinet that needs an external amplifier and processor, so it is a fixed installation box rather than a portable 12-inch top.
What the Yamaha DXR12mkII does well: A proven, broadly distributed workhorse with a flexible three-channel input section and 134dB claimed maximum output. The tradeoff: The 5.49 ideal-subwoofer preference score is only mid-pack, with meaningful response/directivity irregularity in the supplied data.
Buy the EAW MKD1200 or the Yamaha DXR12mkII on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| EAW MKD1200 | Yamaha DXR12mkII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $909.99 |
| Ranked | #16 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #17 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive or bi-amplified 3-way full-range PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | Dual 12” cone woofers with 3” voice coils, 2” exit midrange compression driver, 2” exit tweeter compression driver | 12” woofer, 1.75” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 32”H x 22.7”W x 20.6”D (813 x 577 x 523 mm) | 23.7”H x 14.3”W x 13.8”D (601 x 362 x 350 mm) |
| Inputs | Terminal block connections | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, stereo RCA |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 1200W LF/MF and 140W HF/MF handling ratings at 8 ohms | 1100W dynamic / 700W continuous (950W LF + 150W HF dynamic) |
| Power Handling | 1200W at 8 ohms (LF/MF), 140W at 8 ohms (HF/MF) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 61Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 60° x 45°, 90° x 45° or 90° x 60° (model dependent) | 90° x 60° |
| Maximum SPL | 147dB (MKD1264), 145dB (MKD1294), 139dB (MKD1296) | 134dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | No (passive; use with an amplifier that has EAW DSP presets) | Yes |
| Weight | 104.1 lbs (47.2 kg) | 41 lbs (18.6 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.78 | 2.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.20 | 5.49 |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| 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 |
| Cabinet Material | - | Matte-finish ABS |
| Rigging | - | 3 x M10 points; 35mm dual-angle pole mount |
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- EAW MKD1200 vs HK Audio LINEAR 9 112 XA
- Yamaha DXR12mkII vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- QSC K12.2 vs Yamaha DXR12mkII
- RCF ART 912-A vs Yamaha DXR12mkII
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 MKD1200 Passive eBay
Pros: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.78 standalone and 7.20 with an ideal subwoofer. Dual 12-inch woofers reach about 58Hz (-3dB), with a 47Hz to 20kHz rated range and output up to 147dB depending on the horn pattern. On-axis narrow-band deviation is a low 0.156, and the three horn patterns (60° x 45°, 90° x 45° or 90° x 60°) fit venues of different shapes. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A 47kg passive 3-way cabinet that needs an external amplifier and processor, so it is a fixed installation box rather than a portable 12-inch top. Sound-power narrow-band deviation is 0.546 and predicted in-room smoothness is 0.464, less even than the best 12-inch models. The Spinorama data is low quality, and pricing is quoted by dealers.
Full EAW MKD1200 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 1200W LF/MF and 140W HF/MF handling ratings at 8 ohms |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive or bi-amplified 3-way full-range PA speaker |
| Coverage | 60° x 45°, 90° x 45° or 90° x 60° (model dependent) |
| DSP | No (passive; use with an amplifier that has EAW DSP presets) |
| Dimensions | 32”H x 22.7”W x 20.6”D (813 x 577 x 523 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 12” cone woofers with 3” voice coils, 2” exit midrange compression driver, 2” exit tweeter compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Terminal block connections |
| Maximum SPL | 147dB (MKD1264), 145dB (MKD1294), 139dB (MKD1296) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 1200W at 8 ohms (LF/MF), 140W at 8 ohms (HF/MF) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.20 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 104.1 lbs (47.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha DXR12mkII: $909.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: A proven, broadly distributed workhorse with a flexible three-channel input section and 134dB claimed maximum output. Medium-quality vendor Spinorama data and 61Hz measured extension provide more evidence than many PA competitors, while Yamaha’s FIR-X processing and D-CONTOUR presets simplify setup. Measured bass extension of 61Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 5.49 ideal-subwoofer preference score is only mid-pack, with meaningful response/directivity irregularity in the supplied data. It lacks app control and Bluetooth audio, and newer competitors offer more user-adjustable DSP.
Full Yamaha DXR12mkII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1100W dynamic / 700W continuous (950W LF + 150W HF dynamic) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Matte-finish ABS |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 23.7”H x 14.3”W x 13.8”D (601 x 362 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1.75” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, stereo RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 134dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Rigging | 3 x M10 points; 35mm dual-angle pole mount |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.49 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 41 lbs (18.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Yamaha DXR12mkII vs Axiom ED120A
- Yamaha DXR12mkII vs HK Audio LINEAR 9 112 XA
- Yamaha DXR12mkII vs FBT Mitus 112A
- Yamaha DXR12mkII vs HK Audio LINEAR 7 112 XA
- Yamaha DXR12mkII vs RCF NX 912-A
- Yamaha DXR12mkII vs Yamaha DXR12mkIII
- Yamaha DXR12mkII vs Yamaha DZR12
- Yamaha DXR12mkII vs RCF ART 912-A
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