Short answer: the Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X. It ranks #3 of 26 surface-mount and background music speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $519. The Martin Audio CDD5 ranks #11, rated 3.0/5, at $315, $204 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X: A weather-resistant (IP65) surface-mount installation speaker from Electro-Voice with a 5.25” woofer and a tweeter, for 70V and 100V systems or low impedance. Watch for: Bass is very limited, so it needs a subwoofer for full-range music, and the on-axis response is uneven (1.29 average deviation).
The case for the Martin Audio CDD5: A passive Coaxial Differential Dispersion speaker from the same Martin Audio CDD line as the measured Martin Audio CDD8 and Martin Audio CDD10: the smallest model, a 5.25” coaxial driver in an ultra-compact on-wall cabinet. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.
Buy the Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $204 you would save on the Martin Audio CDD5 does not close the gap.
Worth knowing: the Martin Audio CDD5 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 2.6 to 3.4, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X | Martin Audio CDD5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $519.00 per pair Passive | $315.00 each Passive |
| Ranked | #3 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers | #11 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers Estimated |
| Rigging | U-bracket mount for U-bolt, threaded rod, pole or junction box | 6 x M5 inserts; wall bracket |
| Weight | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 116dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Drivers | 5.25” woofer, tweeter | 5.25” woofer with coaxial 0.75” dome tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP65 | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 150.0Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) | 100Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 81.6Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.44 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.05 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Configuration | - | Passive 2-way coaxial installation speaker |
| Power Handling | - | 100W AES |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| XLR Input | - | No |
| DSP | - | No (passive) |
| Amplifier Power | - | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X compares with other leading options:
- JBL Control 24CT vs Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X
- Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X vs Martin Audio CDD6
- Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X vs Yamaha VXS5
- Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X vs Yamaha VXS8
- Martin Audio CDD6 vs Martin Audio CDD5
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X: $519.00 per pair Passive Amazon eBay
Same family: the Electro-Voice EVID-S4.2 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.5/5), the Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.6/5) and the Electro-Voice EVID-S8.2 (larger model, ranked lower, rated 2.7/5).
Pros: A weather-resistant (IP65) surface-mount installation speaker from Electro-Voice with a 5.25” woofer and a tweeter, for 70V and 100V systems or low impedance. EV’s measurements show a preference score of 2.44 that reaches 6.05 with an ideal subwoofer, with 0.55 listening window deviation.
Cons: Bass is very limited, so it needs a subwoofer for full-range music, and the on-axis response is uneven (1.29 average deviation). The data comes from EV. Bass reaches 150.0Hz (-3dB) and about 82Hz (-10dB).
Full Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 81.6Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 150.0Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Drivers | 5.25” woofer, tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Rigging | U-bracket mount for U-bolt, threaded rod, pole or junction box |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.44 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.05 |
| Weight | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Martin Audio CDD5: $315.00 each Passive Estimated Full Compass eBay
Same family: the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 (smallest powered model, estimated 3.4/5), the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12 (powered model, estimated 3.1/5), the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 15 (largest powered model, estimated 3.5/5), the Martin Audio CDD6 (larger passive model, ranked higher, estimated 3.1/5), the Martin Audio CDD8 (larger passive model, rated 3.2/5), the Martin Audio CDD10 (larger passive model, rated 3.1/5), the Martin Audio CDD12 (larger passive model, rated 2.9/5) and the Martin Audio CDD15 (larger passive model, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: A passive Coaxial Differential Dispersion speaker from the same Martin Audio CDD line as the measured Martin Audio CDD8 and Martin Audio CDD10: the smallest model, a 5.25” coaxial driver in an ultra-compact on-wall cabinet. CDD widens the horizontal pattern close to the speaker and narrows it with distance, which keeps level more even from front to back of a room.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. It needs an external amplifier, and its small woofer limits bass and output, so larger rooms need a subwoofer or bigger CDD models.
Full Martin Audio CDD5 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 100Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial installation speaker |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Drivers | 5.25” woofer with coaxial 0.75” dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 100W AES |
| Rigging | 6 x M5 inserts; wall bracket |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons