Short answer: the JBL PRX912 on measured sound quality, the PreSonus ULT12 on price. The JBL PRX912 ranks #5 of 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers at $999. The PreSonus ULT12 ranks #37 at $500, $499 cheaper.
What the JBL PRX912 offers: High-quality manufacturer Spinorama data, 132dB claimed peak output, app control and unusually deep onboard processing make this one of the most versatile choices. The measured 54Hz bass extension is useful for speech and lighter music without a subwoofer. Watch for: Its 5.16 ideal-subwoofer preference score trails the QSC and FBT ProMaxX, with less even sound-power behavior in the supplied data. At 19.5kg it is not especially light, and Bluetooth is for control rather than audio streaming.
What the PreSonus ULT12 offers: Very broad 110° x 50° nominal coverage can be useful in shallow rooms, and the plywood cabinet, rotatable horn and onboard mixer are practical live-sound features. Measured bass extension reaches 60Hz in the medium-quality vendor data. Watch for: The 2.75 ideal-subwoofer preference score is the weakest in this 15-model group, reflecting major response/directivity irregularity. It is difficult to recommend for sound quality when stronger measured alternatives are available at similar prices.
Buy the JBL PRX912 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the PreSonus ULT12 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Skip the PreSonus ULT12 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL PRX912 | PreSonus ULT12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.00 | $500.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 37 in 12-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers | #37 of 37 in 12-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, 1.5" compression driver | 12" woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | Not published by PreSonus in the current product specifications |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 90° x 50° | 110° x 50° |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, 3.5mm aux | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| App | Yes (JBL Pro Connect) | - |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Control only; no Bluetooth audio | No |
| Weight | 43 lbs (19.5 kg) | - |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 15.5"W x 13.1"D (636 x 394 x 332 mm) | 25.2"H x 14"W x 13.9"D (641 x 356 x 353 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 2000W peak / 1000W RMS | 1,300W peak / 650W continuous (1,000W / 500W LF; 300W / 150W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1920Hz | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene/talc composite | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Rigging | 6 x M10 suspension points; dual 36mm pole sockets | M10 suspension points; two-position 35mm pole socket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.68 | 0.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.16 | 2.75 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL PRX912 compares with other leading options:
- QSC K12.2 vs JBL PRX912
- L-Acoustics 112P vs JBL PRX912
- FBT ProMaxX 112A vs JBL PRX912
- KV2 Audio EX12 vs JBL PRX912
- JBL PRX912 vs RCF KX 32-A
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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
JBL PRX912: $999.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: High-quality manufacturer Spinorama data, 132dB claimed peak output, app control and unusually deep onboard processing make this one of the most versatile choices. The measured 54Hz bass extension is useful for speech and lighter music without a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its 5.16 ideal-subwoofer preference score trails the QSC and FBT ProMaxX, with less even sound-power behavior in the supplied data. At 19.5kg it is not especially light, and Bluetooth is for control rather than audio streaming.
Full JBL PRX912 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2000W peak / 1000W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL Pro Connect) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | Control only; no Bluetooth audio |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene/talc composite |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 50° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1920Hz |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 15.5"W x 13.1"D (636 x 394 x 332 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, 1.5" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, 3.5mm aux |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | 6 x M10 suspension points; dual 36mm pole sockets |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.68 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.16 |
| Weight | 43 lbs (19.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
PreSonus ULT12: $500.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Very broad 110° x 50° nominal coverage can be useful in shallow rooms, and the plywood cabinet, rotatable horn and onboard mixer are practical live-sound features. Measured bass extension reaches 60Hz in the medium-quality vendor data. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.75 ideal-subwoofer preference score is the weakest in this 15-model group, reflecting major response/directivity irregularity. It is difficult to recommend for sound quality when stronger measured alternatives are available at similar prices.
Full PreSonus ULT12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1,300W peak / 650W continuous (1,000W / 500W LF; 300W / 150W HF, manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 110° x 50° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25.2"H x 14"W x 13.9"D (641 x 356 x 353 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | Not published by PreSonus in the current product specifications |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| Rigging | M10 suspension points; two-position 35mm pole socket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.75 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- PreSonus ULT12 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK4
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- PreSonus ULT12 vs Martin Audio XP12
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF HD 12-A MK5
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- PreSonus ULT12 vs Yamaha DBR12
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF NX 912-A
- See all 18 comparisons