These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 ranks #29 of 44 8-inch pa speakers by sound quality at $2,600; the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12 ranks #64 of 77 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality at $3,000.
Why pick 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. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.
The case for the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12: The self-powered version of the measured Martin Audio CDD12, with the same 12” 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.
Buy the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 at $2,600 if you want a 8-inch pa speaker. Buy the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12 at $3,000 if you want a 12-inch pa speaker instead.
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; Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12 2.8 to 3.4). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 | Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,600.00 | $3,000.00 |
| Ranked | #29 of 44 in 8-Inch PA Speakers Estimated | #64 of 77 in 12-Inch PA Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (manufacturer specified) | 62Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | 15 x M8 inserts; top hat pole mount | 15 x M8 inserts; top hat pole mount |
| Passive | No | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Active 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Drivers | 8” woofer with coaxial 1” exit HF driver | 12” woofer with coaxial 1” exit HF driver |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (±3dB), 50Hz (-10dB) (manufacturer specified) | 62Hz - 20kHz (±3dB), 50Hz (-10dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 1,300W peak (1,000W LF, 300W HF) | Class D, bi-amplified |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB peak / 117dB continuous (manufacturer specified) | 128dB peak / 122dB continuous (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) | 61.7 lbs (28 kg) |
| Network Control | Dante | Dante |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 compares with other leading options:
- Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 vs Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 15
- Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12 vs Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 15
- RCF KX 32-A vs RCF ART 712-A MK4
- Amate Audio X12CLA vs RCF ART 712-A MK4
- KV2 Audio EX12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK4
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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 →
| 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
Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 12: $3,000.00 Estimated Full Compass eBay
Same family: the Martin Audio CDD-LIVE 8 (smaller powered model, estimated 3.4/5), 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, rated 3.2/5), the Martin Audio CDD10 (passive model, rated 3.1/5), the Martin Audio CDD12 (passive model, ranked lower, 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 CDD12, with the same 12” Coaxial Differential Dispersion driver plus built-in Class D amplification, DSP tuning and Dante networking. Martin rates it at 128dB peak / 122dB 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 12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | Class D, bi-amplified |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| DSP | Yes |
| Drivers | 12” woofer with coaxial 1” exit HF driver |
| Frequency Response | 62Hz - 20kHz (±3dB), 50Hz (-10dB) (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 128dB peak / 122dB continuous (manufacturer specified) |
| Network Control | Dante |
| Passive | No |
| Rigging | 15 x M8 inserts; top hat pole mount |
| Weight | 61.7 lbs (28 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