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 Yamaha VXS5 ranks #8, rated 3.0/5, at $392.98, $126.02 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X is the more accurate choice. 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. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.44 against 1.86 for the Yamaha VXS5. The tradeoff: 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 Yamaha VXS5 is the deeper-bass choice. A compact surface-mount speaker for commercial installations with a 5.25” woofer and a dome tweeter, weather-resistant for covered outdoor use. Its bass reaches about 95Hz before falling 3dB, against 150Hz for the Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X. Watch for: Bass is limited, so it needs a subwoofer for full-range music, and the on-axis response is uneven (0.95 average deviation).
Buy the Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $126.02 with the Yamaha VXS5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X | Yamaha VXS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $519.00 per pair Passive | $392.98 per pair Passive |
| Ranked | #3 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers | #8 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers |
| Rigging | U-bracket mount for U-bolt, threaded rod, pole or junction box | Wall/ceiling mount bracket included |
| Weight | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 114dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Drivers | 5.25” woofer, tweeter | 5.25” woofer, dome tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP65 | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 150.0Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) | 95.0Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 81.6Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) | about 69.5Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.44 | 1.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.05 | 5.17 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X (measured by the manufacturer) and Yamaha VXS5 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X:
- 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 VXS8
- Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2X vs Martin Audio CDD5
- Martin Audio CDD6 vs Yamaha VXS5
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
Yamaha VXS5: $392.98 per pair Passive Amazon eBay
Same family: the Yamaha VXS1ML (smaller model, ranked lower, estimated 2.4/5), the Yamaha VXS3F (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.6/5) and the Yamaha VXS8 (larger model, ranked lower, estimated 3/5).
Pros: A compact surface-mount speaker for commercial installations with a 5.25” woofer and a dome tweeter, weather-resistant for covered outdoor use. Yamaha’s measurements show a preference score of 1.86 that reaches 5.17 with an ideal subwoofer, with 0.59 listening window deviation.
Cons: Bass is limited, so it needs a subwoofer for full-range music, and the on-axis response is uneven (0.95 average deviation). The data comes from Yamaha. Bass reaches 95.0Hz (-3dB) and about 70Hz (-10dB).
Full Yamaha VXS5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 69.5Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95.0Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Drivers | 5.25” woofer, dome tweeter |
| Maximum SPL | 114dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Rigging | Wall/ceiling mount bracket included |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.17 |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons