Short answer: the FA if you need it to stand alone as a full-range top, the XA if it’s paired with a subwoofer or used as a monitor. These rank #42 and #43 out of 83 12-inch powered PA speakers, priced at $955 and $800, a $155 difference. The HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 FA has been replaced by the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 FA. The HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 XA has been replaced by the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 XA. If you are buying new, get the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 XA.
Both share the same amplifier and cabinet family, but the horn and measured bass extension differ. The FA’s asymmetric 60°-90° x 55° horn can cover wider near-field seating without wasting as much energy upward, and its high-quality vendor data yields a 5.07 ideal-subwoofer preference score with 73Hz measured extension. The XA instead uses a rotatable 60° x 40° horn aimed at concentrating output over longer distances, with its own high-quality data returning a slightly higher 5.21 preference score, but a shallower 95Hz measured bass extension, making it best treated as a mid/high cabinet over subwoofers rather than a stand-alone full-range main.
The XA is more compact and monitor-capable; the FA is larger and heavier. The XA measures 300mm deep versus the FA’s 365mm, and weighs 46.5 lbs (21.1 kg) against the FA’s 52.7 lbs (23.9 kg). Both are configured as active 2-way bass-reflex boxes with the same 1,000W peak Class-D bi-amped amplifier and identical 1.65kHz crossover, cabinet material and DuoTilt pole mount rigging. Both are original-generation LINEAR 5 cabinets, so neither has the deeper networked DSP or current support advantages of the newer MK2, LINEAR 7 and LINEAR 9 models.
Buy the FA if you need the deepest bass extension either box can deliver on its own, without a subwoofer.
Buy the XA if you want the more compact monitor-capable footprint and are already running a subwoofer for low end.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
A powered 12 inch PA speaker with plenty of headroom and an asymmetric horn that spreads sound evenly over nearby seating.
A compact powered 12 inch PA box that doubles as a floor monitor, with a rotatable horn that throws sound over long distances.
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Specifications Side By Side
| HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 FA | HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 XA | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $955 Discontinued | $800 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #42 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #43 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | No | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker/monitor |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1” compression driver | 12” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 64Hz - 18kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 57Hz - 20kHz (-10dB) | 100Hz - 18kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 72Hz - 20kHz (-10dB) |
| Dimensions | 26.3”H x 14.6”W x 14.4”D (668 x 370 x 365 mm) | 26.3”H x 14.6”W x 11.8”D (668 x 370 x 300 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 1,000W peak (Class D bi-amped, manufacturer specified) | 1,000W peak (Class D bi-amped, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.65kHz active (24dB/octave) | 1.65kHz active (24dB/octave) |
| Cabinet Material | Hybrid birch plywood construction | Hybrid birch plywood construction |
| Rigging | Three M8 points; DuoTilt 3°/7° pole mount | Three M8 points; DuoTilt 3°/7° pole mount |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 73Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 95Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 60°-90° asymmetric x 55° | 60° x 40°, rotatable |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 136dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR input, 2 x XLR thru, XLR mix output | 2 x XLR input, 2 x XLR thru, XLR mix output |
| DSP | Yes, crossover, EQ and limiting | Yes, crossover, EQ and limiting |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 52.7 lbs (23.9 kg) | 46.5 lbs (21.1 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.10 | 1.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.07 | 5.21 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
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: HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 FA (measured by the manufacturer) and HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 XA (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
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