Short answer: the L-Acoustics X8. It ranks #6 of 22 8-inch pa speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5); the EAW MKC80 ranks #9 (rated 3.9/5).
Why pick the L-Acoustics X8: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.29 standalone and 7.09 with an ideal subwoofer, the best standalone score in this ranking. The tradeoff: It is a passive cabinet that needs an L-Acoustics amplified controller.
What the EAW MKC80 does well: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.08 standalone and 7.10 with an ideal subwoofer. The catch: Bass reaches only about 85Hz (-3dB), and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.321, so the tonal balance is less even than the best 8-inch models.
Buy the L-Acoustics X8. It is rated higher for sound quality than the EAW MKC80.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| L-Acoustics X8 | EAW MKC80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | - |
| Ranked | #6 of 22 in 8-Inch PA Speakers | #9 of 22 in 8-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Drivers | 8” low-frequency driver, 1.5” compression driver (coaxial) | 8” cone woofer with 2” voice coil, 1” exit compression driver with CSA coaxial loading |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (L-Acoustics amplified controller) | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 450W handling rating |
| Maximum SPL | 129dB (manufacturer specified) | 132dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 100° axisymmetric | 90° x 60° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive; processing comes from the amplified controller) | No (passive) |
| Rigging | 35° monitoring angle | Integrated M10 mounting points, pole mount |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs (12 kg) | 22 lbs (10 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 85Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.29 | 4.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.09 | 7.10 |
| 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 |
| Dimensions | - | 16.6”H x 10”W x 10.5”D (422 x 255 x 267 mm) |
| Power Handling | - | 450W at 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | - | 93dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for L-Acoustics X8:
- L-Acoustics X8 vs Yamaha DXR8mkII
- L-Acoustics X8 vs JBL PRX908
- L-Acoustics X8 vs RCF KX 08-A
- EAW MKC80 vs Vue Audiotechnik A-8
- EAW MKC80 vs DAS Audio ARTEC 508A
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
L-Acoustics X8 Passive eBay
Pros: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.29 standalone and 7.09 with an ideal subwoofer, the best standalone score in this ranking. Bass reaches about 71Hz (-3dB) with a deviation of only 1.0dB across the reference band, and the 100° axisymmetric coaxial pattern stays even off axis. It reaches 129dB from a 12kg cabinet with a 35° monitor angle. Measured bass extension of 71Hz (-3dB).
Cons: It is a passive cabinet that needs an L-Acoustics amplified controller. Listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.363 and predicted in-room smoothness is 0.615, a step behind the best-measuring boxes. Pricing is dealer quoted and high for an 8-inch box.
Full L-Acoustics X8 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification (L-Acoustics amplified controller) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Coverage | 100° axisymmetric |
| DSP | No (passive; processing comes from the amplified controller) |
| Drivers | 8” low-frequency driver, 1.5” compression driver (coaxial) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 129dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 35° monitoring angle |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.29 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.09 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs (12 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
EAW MKC80 Passive Full Compass eBay
Pros: Vendor Spinorama data gives preference scores of 4.08 standalone and 7.10 with an ideal subwoofer. A 93dB sensitivity and 450W handling deliver a 132dB peak rating from a 10kg cabinet, and the rotatable 90° x 60° coaxial horn suits horizontal or vertical placement. Measured bass extension of 85Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches only about 85Hz (-3dB), and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.321, so the tonal balance is less even than the best 8-inch models. It is passive, so an amplifier and processor with EAW presets are needed to play it.
Full EAW MKC80 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 450W handling rating |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 10”W x 10.5”D (422 x 255 x 267 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” cone woofer with 2” voice coil, 1” exit compression driver with CSA coaxial loading |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 450W at 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | Integrated M10 mounting points, pole mount |
| Sensitivity | 93dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22 lbs (10 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons