Short answer: the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X. It ranks #41 of 50 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $899. The PreSonus CDL12 ranks #42, rated 3.3/5, at $500, $399 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X does well: High-quality manufacturer measurements give a 5.51 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and 0.63 predicted in-room smoothness. 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.
What the PreSonus CDL12 does well: Its constant-directivity high-frequency array is designed for controlled coverage and scalable deployments rather than a conventional single horn. The tradeoff: This is a specialized, heavier cabinet whose rigging and array behavior add complexity for ordinary portable-PA buyers.
Buy the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $399 with the PreSonus CDL12 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
| HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X | PreSonus CDL12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.00 | $500.00 |
| Ranked | #41 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #42 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way PA speaker and floor monitor | Active 2-way constant-directivity PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer (2.5” voice coil), 1” compression driver (1.75” voice coil) | 12” woofer, eight 2” high-frequency drivers |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 18kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 26.4”H x 14.6”W x 11.8”D (670 x 370 x 300 mm) | 18.6”H x 20.8”W x 17.5”D (473 x 529 x 444.5 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | 2,000W peak / 500W RMS (1,000W peak / 250W RMS per band, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | 500W RMS / 1,000W program | - |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 131dB peak |
| Coverage | 60° x 40° (rotatable) | 120° x 20° per enclosure (-6dB) |
| Cabinet Material | Birch/MDF hybrid | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes |
| Weight | 43 lbs (19.5 kg) | 65 lbs (29.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| XLR Input | No | 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 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 67.1Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.20 | 2.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.51 | 4.79 |
| Inputs | - | XLR input and direct XLR line output |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 420Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | - | Integrated array rigging; dual-position 35mm pole mount |
| Network Control | - | Worx Control remote control (compression, polarity, limiting, delay, EQ and presets) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X:
- RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X
- HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F
- PreSonus CDL12 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F
- LD Systems Stinger 12 A G3 vs PreSonus CDL12
- Martin Audio XP12 vs PreSonus CDL12
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
HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X: $899.00 Passive B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: High-quality manufacturer measurements give a 5.51 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and 0.63 predicted in-room smoothness. A 12-inch woofer and 1-inch compression driver on a rotatable 60° x 40° CD horn give a 135dB peak and long throw, and the birch and MDF cabinet doubles as a floor monitor. Measured bass extension of 103Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 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. A 3.1dB reference band and 0.625 listening-window deviation mean tonal balance is uneven. It is passive and needs an external amplifier, and B&H lists it as special order.
Full HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 67.1Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Birch/MDF hybrid |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way PA speaker and floor monitor |
| Coverage | 60° x 40° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 26.4”H x 14.6”W x 11.8”D (670 x 370 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer (2.5” voice coil), 1” compression driver (1.75” voice coil) |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 18kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 500W RMS / 1,000W program |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.51 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 43 lbs (19.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
PreSonus CDL12: $500.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Its constant-directivity high-frequency array is designed for controlled coverage and scalable deployments rather than a conventional single horn. The medium-quality vendor data provides a 4.79 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 58Hz measured extension. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-3dB).
Cons: This is a specialized, heavier cabinet whose rigging and array behavior add complexity for ordinary portable-PA buyers. The measured tonal score is modest, and availability is less consistent than the mainstream QSC, JBL, Yamaha and RCF choices.
Full PreSonus CDL12 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 2,000W peak / 500W RMS (1,000W peak / 250W RMS per band, manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way constant-directivity PA speaker |
| Coverage | 120° x 20° per enclosure (-6dB) |
| Crossover Frequency | 420Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 18.6”H x 20.8”W x 17.5”D (473 x 529 x 444.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, eight 2” high-frequency drivers |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR input and direct XLR line output |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Network Control | Worx Control remote control (compression, polarity, limiting, delay, EQ and presets) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | Integrated array rigging; dual-position 35mm pole mount |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.79 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 65 lbs (29.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons