Short answer: the Yamaha DXR12mkIII, if you are buying new. The Yamaha DXR12mkII measures as well as the EAW MKD1200 (#17 vs #16 of 83 12-inch pa speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Yamaha DXR12mkIII, is rated 4.1/5 at $999.99 and is still sold new.
The EAW MKD1200 is the more accurate choice. A very loud passive installation speaker with two 12 inch woofers, deep bass and a choice of horn patterns to fit the venue. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.78 against 2.78 for the Yamaha DXR12mkII. The tradeoff: A 103.6 lbs (47 kg) 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 12 inch PA workhorse with good sound, loud output, three input channels and easy processing presets. The tradeoff: The 5.49 ideal-subwoofer preference score is only mid-pack, with meaningful response/directivity irregularity in the supplied data.
Buy the Yamaha DXR12mkIII, the replacement for the discontinued Yamaha DXR12mkII; it is rated higher for sound quality than the EAW MKD1200.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| EAW MKD1200 | Yamaha DXR12mkII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,703 Passive | $899.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #16 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #17 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 12 x M10 mounting points; U-bracket and M10 kit accessories | 3 x M10 points; 35mm dual-angle pole mount |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| 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 |
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