Short answer: the Electro-Voice MFX-12MC. It ranks #43 of 50 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality (rated 3.3/5); the Martin Audio CDD12 ranks #48 (rated 2.9/5).
Why pick the Electro-Voice MFX-12MC: The coaxial 12-inch design provides compact 60° x 40° coverage and reaches a claimed 135dB peak with the recommended amplification. The tradeoff: This is not self-powered: it requires an external amplifier and can be run passive or externally bi-amplified, so it is less convenient than every conventional powered cabinet here.
Why pick the Martin Audio CDD12: Martin Audio’s Coaxial Differential Dispersion driver widens horizontal coverage from 60° far away to 110° up close, so level stays more even from front row to back. The tradeoff: Manufacturer measurements give a very low 0.82 standalone preference score and 3.80 with an ideal subwoofer, with a wide 4.0dB reference band and 0.821 listening-window deviation, so its tonal balance is very uneven.
Buy the Electro-Voice MFX-12MC. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Martin Audio CDD12.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Electro-Voice MFX-12MC | Martin Audio CDD12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,805.33 | - |
| Ranked | #43 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #48 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive or externally bi-amplified 2-way coaxial PA monitor | Passive 2-way coaxial on-wall PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” coaxial LF/MF driver, 3” HF compression driver | 12” woofer with coaxial 1” exit compression driver (Coaxial Differential Dispersion) |
| Frequency Response | 62Hz - 18kHz (-3dB, manufacturer specified); 50Hz - 19kHz (-10dB) | - |
| Dimensions | 19.7”H x 16.5”W x 11.7”D (500 x 420 x 298 mm) | 22”H x 14.2”W x 13.8”D (560 x 360 x 350 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive/bi-amp speaker; use external amplification within the 450W continuous / 3,000W peak handling rating | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Power Handling | 450W continuous / 3,000W peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Cabinet Material | 12-18mm Baltic birch plywood with EVCoat finish | Birch plywood |
| Rigging | Four M10 suspension points; integrated 35mm pole cup | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 95Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 60° x 40°, rotatable | 110° to 60° horizontal x 60° (rotatable) |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak with recommended amplification | - |
| Inputs | NL4 speakON input and link | - |
| DSP | Requires external amplifier/DSP settings | No (passive) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 41.9 lbs (19 kg) | 41.9 lbs (19 kg) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| 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 |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 55.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 0.82 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 3.80 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Electro-Voice MFX-12MC:
- Martin Audio XP12 vs Electro-Voice MFX-12MC
- PreSonus CDL12 vs Electro-Voice MFX-12MC
- Electro-Voice MFX-12MC vs Amate Audio X12CLA
- Electro-Voice MFX-12MC vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- Martin Audio CDD12 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
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
Electro-Voice MFX-12MC: $2,805.33 Passive Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The coaxial 12-inch design provides compact 60° x 40° coverage and reaches a claimed 135dB peak with the recommended amplification. Medium-quality vendor data returns a 3.78 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Measured bass extension of 82.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: This is not self-powered: it requires an external amplifier and can be run passive or externally bi-amplified, so it is less convenient than every conventional powered cabinet here. Measured bass extension is about 75Hz and the narrow pattern is aimed primarily at stage-monitor and fill use.
Full Electro-Voice MFX-12MC review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive/bi-amp speaker; use external amplification within the 450W continuous / 3,000W peak handling rating |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | 12-18mm Baltic birch plywood with EVCoat finish |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive or externally bi-amplified 2-way coaxial PA monitor |
| Coverage | 60° x 40°, rotatable |
| DSP | Requires external amplifier/DSP settings |
| Dimensions | 19.7”H x 16.5”W x 11.7”D (500 x 420 x 298 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” coaxial LF/MF driver, 3” HF compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 62Hz - 18kHz (-3dB, manufacturer specified); 50Hz - 19kHz (-10dB) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | NL4 speakON input and link |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak with recommended amplification |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 450W continuous / 3,000W peak (manufacturer specified) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | Four M10 suspension points; integrated 35mm pole cup |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 41.9 lbs (19 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Martin Audio CDD12 Passive eBay
Pros: Martin Audio’s Coaxial Differential Dispersion driver widens horizontal coverage from 60° far away to 110° up close, so level stays more even from front row to back. A 12-inch woofer shares its motor with a 1-inch compression driver in a 19kg birch cabinet, available in any RAL color for installs. Measured bass extension of 95Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Manufacturer measurements give a very low 0.82 standalone preference score and 3.80 with an ideal subwoofer, with a wide 4.0dB reference band and 0.821 listening-window deviation, so its tonal balance is very uneven. Bass measures 95Hz at -3dB. It is passive, aimed at installs, and sold only through dealers.
Full Martin Audio CDD12 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 55.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Birch plywood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial on-wall PA speaker |
| Coverage | 110° to 60° horizontal x 60° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 22”H x 14.2”W x 13.8”D (560 x 360 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer with coaxial 1” exit compression driver (Coaxial Differential Dispersion) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.82 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.80 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 41.9 lbs (19 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons