Short answer: the L-Acoustics X8 on measured sound quality, the EAW MKC80 on price. The L-Acoustics X8 ranks #7 of 47 8-inch pa speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $2,000. The EAW MKC80 ranks #10, rated 3.9/5, at $980, $1,020 cheaper.
The L-Acoustics X8 is the deeper-bass pick. A compact passive 8 inch coaxial speaker with highly accurate sound and wide, even coverage, great as a stage monitor or fill. Its bass reaches about 71Hz before falling 3dB, against 85Hz for the EAW MKC80. The catch: It is a passive cabinet that needs an L-Acoustics amplified controller.
What the EAW MKC80 does well: A light passive 8 inch coaxial speaker with good, balanced sound and a rotatable horn for horizontal or vertical placement. 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 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the EAW MKC80 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| L-Acoustics X8 | EAW MKC80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,000 Passive | $980.00 Passive |
| Ranked | #7 of 47 in 8-Inch PA Speakers | #10 of 47 in 8-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
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