Short answer: the Martin Audio CDD12, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #71 of 83 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 2.9/5, at $1,750; the Audiofocus VENU 12a ranks #72, rated 2.8/5, and costs $2,890, so there is little reason to consider the other one. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 83 12-inch pa speakers; for better sound, the QSC K12.2 ranks #1 at $899.99.
The Martin Audio CDD12 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A passive coaxial 12 inch install speaker whose coverage widens up close, keeping level even from the front row to the back. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 0.82 against -2.54 for the Audiofocus VENU 12a. Its bass reaches about 95Hz before falling 3dB, against 112Hz for the Audiofocus VENU 12a. The tradeoff: Manufacturer measurements give a very low 0.82 standalone preference score and 3.80 with an ideal subwoofer, with a wide 4.0dB reference band and 0.821 listening-window deviation, so its tonal balance is very uneven.
Why pick the Audiofocus VENU 12a: A light powered 12 inch PA speaker with very wide coverage and four presets for use as a main or monitor. The catch: The low-quality vendor Spinorama data is the weakest tonal result in this category: a 1.13 ideal-subwoofer preference score and roughly 102Hz measured bass extension conflict sharply with the claimed 50Hz lower limit.
Buy the Martin Audio CDD12. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audiofocus VENU 12a and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Martin Audio CDD12 | Audiofocus VENU 12a | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,750 Passive | $2,890 |
| Ranked | #71 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #72 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 10 x M8 fly points; 6 x M8 wall bracket inserts | Adjustable pole mount and M8 threaded inserts |
| Maximum SPL | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial on-wall PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer with coaxial 1” exit compression driver (Coaxial Differential Dispersion) | 12” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Dimensions | 22”H x 14.2”W x 13.8”D (560 x 360 x 350 mm) | 22.3”H x 14.3”W x 14.1”D (566 x 362 x 357 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Self-powered Class D amplifier; output rating not published by AUDIOFOCUS in the current specification |
| Coverage | 110° to 60° horizontal x 60° (rotatable) | 110° x 60° |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | - |
| Cabinet Material | Birch plywood | High-grade birch plywood with polyurea coating |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes, 4 presets |
| Weight | 41.9 lbs (19 kg) | 40.8 lbs (18.5 kg) |
| 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 | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 112Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 55.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.82 | -2.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.80 | 1.13 |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | - | XLR input and link |
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