Short answer: the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X. It ranks #51 of 83 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $899. The HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F ranks #62, rated 3.2/5, at $666, $233 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X is the more accurate pick. A passive 12 inch PA top with a rotatable long throw horn, made to sit on a subwoofer or work as a floor monitor. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.20 against 1.13 for the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F. The catch: It is designed as a top for use with a subwoofer: bass measures 103Hz at -3dB and about 67Hz at -10dB, and the standalone preference score is only 2.20.
The HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F is the deeper-bass choice. A passive 12 inch PA speaker with a rotatable horn that widens up close and loud rated peaks, for use with an external amp. Its bass reaches about 82.5Hz before falling 3dB, against 103Hz for the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X. The catch: The standalone preference score is only 1.13, with a 0.806 listening-window deviation and bass measuring 82.5Hz at -3dB, so tonal balance is uneven and it needs a subwoofer.
Buy the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $233 saving on the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X | HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.00 Passive | $666 Passive |
| Ranked | #51 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #62 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 3 x M8 rigging points; DuoTilt 3°/7° pole mount | 3 x M8 rigging points; DuoTilt 3°/7° pole mount |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way PA speaker and floor monitor | Passive 2-way PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer (2.5” voice coil), 1” compression driver (1.75” voice coil) | 12” woofer (2.5” voice coil), 1” compression driver (1.75” voice coil) |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 18kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | 79Hz - 18kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 26.4”H x 14.6”W x 11.8”D (670 x 370 x 300 mm) | 26.3”H x 14.6”W x 14.4”D (668 x 370 x 365 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Power Handling | 500W RMS / 1,000W program | 500W RMS / 1,000W program |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 60° x 40° (rotatable) | 60°-90° asymmetric x 55° (rotatable) |
| Cabinet Material | Birch/MDF hybrid | - |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Weight | 43 lbs (19.5 kg) | 52.7 lbs (23.9 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| 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 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 82.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 67.1Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.20 | 1.13 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.51 | 4.21 |
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