Short answer: the L-Acoustics X15 HiQ. It ranks #2 of 76 15-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $4,180; the RCF KX 45-A ranks #5, rated 4.2/5, and costs $4,618.50, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the L-Acoustics X15 HiQ: An excellent sounding 15 inch PA speaker, a compact coaxial stage monitor with very clean vocals and loud peaks. Watch for: This passive monitor needs an L-Acoustics amplified controller such as the LA4X or LA12X to work at all.
The RCF KX 45-A is the deeper-bass choice. A flagship powered 15 inch PA speaker with huge amplifier power, very loud peaks, remote control and rotatable coverage. Its bass reaches about 54.5Hz before falling 3dB, against 73Hz for the L-Acoustics X15 HiQ. The catch: The local measurement is truncated and cannot produce a preference score.
Buy the L-Acoustics X15 HiQ. It is rated higher for sound quality than the RCF KX 45-A and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| L-Acoustics X15 HiQ | RCF KX 45-A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,180 Passive | $4,618.50 |
| Ranked | #2 of 76 in 15-Inch PA Speakers | #5 of 76 in 15-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA stage monitor | Active 2-way bass-reflex point-source PA speaker |
| Drivers | 15” neodymium woofer, 3” neodymium compression driver (coaxial) | 15” neodymium woofer, 1.4” exit/3” dome compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Speakon input and link | XLR audio input/link and EtherCON RDNet |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires an L-Acoustics amplified controller (LA4X, LA12X or LA7.16i) | 3200W peak (2000W LF + 1200W HF) |
| Cabinet Material | Baltic birch and beech plywood | Baltic birch plywood |
| Rigging | Two handles, M8 and four M10 threaded inserts, two 35mm pole sockets | Quick-lock rigging; 6 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 73Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 54.5Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 40° x 60° | 100° x 70°, rotatable |
| Maximum SPL | 138dB (manufacturer specified) | 137dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | No (passive; processing and protection come from the amplified controller) | Yes, FiRPHASE, Bass Motion Control, presets and RDNet |
| Weight | 46.3 lbs (21 kg) | 62.6 lbs (28.4 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.31 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.06 | - |
| 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 |
| Dimensions | - | 27.8”H x 16.5”W x 16.9”D (705 x 419.6 x 430 mm) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 750Hz |
| Network Control | - | RDNet |
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