Short answer: the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8. It ranks #29 of 44 8-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $2,600; the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA ranks #30, rated 3.3/5, and costs $2,869.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8: The self-powered version of the measured Martin Audio CDD8, with the same 8” Coaxial Differential Dispersion driver plus built-in Class D amplification, DSP tuning and Dante networking. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.
What the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA does well: Part of HK Audio’s LINEAR 5 MK II series alongside the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 FA: a long-throw top with three 8” woofers whose asymmetric vertical pattern reaches about 40 meters. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.
Buy the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 3.1 to 3.7; HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA 2.9 to 3.7). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 | HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,600.00 | $2,869.99 |
| Ranked | #29 of 44 in 8-Inch PA Speakers Estimated | #30 of 44 in 8-Inch PA Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Rigging | 15 x M8 inserts; top hat pole mount | 5 x M8 rigging points; MonoTilt 0° pole mount |
| Passive | No | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Active 2-way PA speaker |
| Drivers | 8” woofer with coaxial 1” exit HF driver | 3x 8” woofers, 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (±3dB), 50Hz (-10dB) (manufacturer specified) | 105Hz - 18kHz (-6dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 1,300W peak (1,000W LF, 300W HF) | 1,200W peak (600W RMS), bi-amplified |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB peak / 117dB continuous (manufacturer specified) | 138dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) |
| Network Control | Dante | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
| Coverage | - | 60° horizontal, asymmetric vertical long throw |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8:
- Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 vs Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12
- HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA vs Bose AMM108
- DAS Audio ARTEC 508A vs HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA
- Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 vs Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 15
- Martin Audio CDD8 vs Audiofocus VENU 8a
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8: $2,600.00 Estimated Full Compass eBay
Same family: the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12 (larger powered model, estimated 3.1/5), the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 15 (larger powered model, estimated 3.5/5), the Martin Audio CDD5 (smallest passive model, estimated 3/5), the Martin Audio CDD6 (passive model, estimated 3.1/5), the Martin Audio CDD8 (passive model, ranked lower, rated 3.2/5), the Martin Audio CDD10 (passive model, rated 3.1/5), the Martin Audio CDD12 (passive model, rated 2.9/5) and the Martin Audio CDD15 (largest passive model, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: The self-powered version of the measured Martin Audio CDD8, with the same 8” Coaxial Differential Dispersion driver plus built-in Class D amplification, DSP tuning and Dante networking. Martin rates it at 123dB peak / 117dB continuous with bass to 50Hz (-10dB), and the coaxial driver rotates for horizontal or vertical mounting.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. It costs far more than most powered PA speakers of its size, and the CDD design favors even coverage over maximum throw.
Full Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 review and specifications →
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1,300W peak (1,000W LF, 300W HF) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| DSP | Yes |
| Drivers | 8” woofer with coaxial 1” exit HF driver |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (±3dB), 50Hz (-10dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB peak / 117dB continuous (manufacturer specified) |
| Network Control | Dante |
| Passive | No |
| Rigging | 15 x M8 inserts; top hat pole mount |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA: $2,869.99 Estimated Full Compass eBay
Same family: the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 110 XA (smaller model, estimated 3.6/5), the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 FA (smaller model, estimated 3.7/5), the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 XA (smaller model, estimated 3.7/5), the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 115 FA (smaller model, estimated 3.6/5) and the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 115 XA (smaller model, estimated 3.5/5). See every HK Audio Linear 5 generation.
Pros: Part of HK Audio’s LINEAR 5 MK II series alongside the HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 112 FA: a long-throw top with three 8” woofers whose asymmetric vertical pattern reaches about 40 meters. A 1,200W peak (600W RMS) bi-amplified Class D module with DSP drives it, and HK rates it at 138dB peak with 60° horizontal, asymmetric vertical long throw coverage.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. Bass stops around 105Hz, so it must be paired with subwoofers.
Full HK Audio Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2023 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1,200W peak (600W RMS), bi-amplified |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way PA speaker |
| Coverage | 60° horizontal, asymmetric vertical long throw |
| DSP | Yes |
| Drivers | 3x 8” woofers, 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 105Hz - 18kHz (-6dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 138dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | No |
| Rigging | 5 x M8 rigging points; MonoTilt 0° pole mount |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons