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 Vue Audiotechnik H-15 ranks #3, rated 4.3/5, and costs $6,500, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The L-Acoustics X15 HiQ is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. An excellent sounding 15 inch PA speaker, a compact coaxial stage monitor with very clean vocals and loud peaks. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.31 against 3.10 for the Vue Audiotechnik H-15. Its bass reaches about 73Hz before falling 3dB, against 90Hz for the Vue Audiotechnik H-15. The catch: This passive monitor needs an L-Acoustics amplified controller such as the LA4X or LA12X to work at all.
What the Vue Audiotechnik H-15 does well: A premium powered 15 inch PA speaker with a beryllium compression driver, clear sound and a feedback resistant pattern for touring. The catch: At 83.8 lbs (38 kg) and a $6500 asking price this is among the heaviest and most expensive 15-inch boxes here, aimed at rental and touring use rather than casual portability.
Buy the L-Acoustics X15 HiQ. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Vue Audiotechnik H-15 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| L-Acoustics X15 HiQ | Vue Audiotechnik H-15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,180 Passive | $6,500 |
| Ranked | #2 of 76 in 15-Inch PA Speakers | #3 of 76 in 15-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA stage monitor | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 15” neodymium woofer, 3” neodymium compression driver (coaxial) | 15” woofer, beryllium-diaphragm compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 42Hz - 21kHz (±1.5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Speakon input and link | XLR analog/AES input with XLR loop output |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires an L-Acoustics amplified controller (LA4X, LA12X or LA7.16i) | 1,105W long-term (830W LF + 275W HF); 2,400W burst (2,000W LF + 400W HF) |
| Cabinet Material | Baltic birch and beech plywood | Multi-ply birch hardwood |
| Rigging | Two handles, M8 and four M10 threaded inserts, two 35mm pole sockets | Integrated M10 fly points plus built-in pole mount; optional flying hardware for array/support configurations |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 73Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 90Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 40° x 60° | 60° x 40° |
| Maximum SPL | 138dB (manufacturer specified) | 136dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | No (passive; processing and protection come from the amplified controller) | Yes |
| Weight | 46.3 lbs (21 kg) | 83.8 lbs (38 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.31 | 3.10 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.06 | 6.07 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | - | 27.2”H x 17.2”W x 18”D (692 x 438 x 457 mm) |
| Network Control | - | Ethernet/IP remote monitoring and control |
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