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 VXS8 ranks #9, rated 3.0/5, and costs $662.98, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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).
Why pick the Yamaha VXS8: The 8-inch model of Yamaha’s VXS surface-mount range, a larger sibling of the measured Yamaha VXS5 with an 8” woofer and a 1” soft dome tweeter. Watch for: 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 than the Yamaha VXS8 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Worth knowing: the Yamaha VXS8 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 | Yamaha VXS8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $519.00 per pair Passive | $662.98 per pair Passive |
| Ranked | #3 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers | #9 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers Estimated |
| Rigging | U-bracket mount for U-bolt, threaded rod, pole or junction box | Wall/ceiling mount bracket included |
| Weight | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 117dB (calculated, manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Drivers | 5.25” woofer, tweeter | 8” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP65 | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 150.0Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) | - |
| 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 surface-mount speaker |
| Frequency Response | - | 51Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 90W noise / 180W program |
| Sensitivity | - | 91dB |
| 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 Martin Audio CDD5
- Martin Audio CDD6 vs Yamaha VXS8
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 VXS8: $662.98 per pair Passive Estimated B&H Photo Video 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 VXS5 (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 3/5).
Pros: The 8-inch model of Yamaha’s VXS surface-mount range, a larger sibling of the measured Yamaha VXS5 with an 8” woofer and a 1” soft dome tweeter. Yamaha rates it at 91dB sensitivity and 117dB maximum SPL with bass to 51Hz (-10dB), so it reaches lower than the 5.25” model, and a transformer tap lets it run on 70V/100V lines or at low impedance.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. It is an installation speaker sold in pairs, with no built-in amplifier and a dome tweeter that limits output compared with horn-loaded PA boxes.
Full Yamaha VXS8 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way surface-mount speaker |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 51Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 117dB (calculated, manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 90W noise / 180W program |
| Rigging | Wall/ceiling mount bracket included |
| Sensitivity | 91dB |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 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