Short answer: the FBT J15A. Both are rated 3.3/5 for sound quality (#46 and #47 of 76 15-inch pa speakers), and the FBT J15A costs $563 against $2,500 for the Martin Audio CDD15, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The Martin Audio CDD15 is the more accurate choice. A passive 15 inch coaxial installation speaker designed to keep the level even from the front row to the back of a room. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 1.99 against 1.16 for the FBT J15A. The catch: A wide 4.9dB reference band and 0.701 listening-window deviation mean tonal balance is uneven, with a 1.99 standalone score.
The FBT J15A is the deeper-bass option. A compact, budget friendly powered 15 inch PA speaker whose wedge shaped cabinet can also work as a floor monitor. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 3dB, against 80Hz for the Martin Audio CDD15. The catch: The preference score is on the lower end for this ranking, and detailed coverage, SPL and weight figures were not confirmed in local data.
Buy the FBT J15A. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $1,937 less than the Martin Audio CDD15.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Martin Audio CDD15 | FBT J15A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,500 Passive | $563 |
| Ranked | #47 of 76 in 15-Inch PA Speakers | #46 of 76 in 15-Inch PA Speakers |
| Rigging | 10 x M8 fly points | Two M10 fly points; pole socket |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 129dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial on-wall PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 15” woofer with coaxial 1.4” exit titanium compression driver (Coaxial Differential Dispersion) | 15” woofer, compression driver |
| Dimensions | 27”H x 17”W x 16.3”D (685 x 432 x 413 mm) | 26.1”H x 16.1”W x 15.2”D (663 x 410 x 387 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | 450W RMS (350W LF + 100W HF); 900W peak (700W LF + 200W HF) |
| Coverage | 100° to 60° horizontal x 60° (rotatable) | 90° x 60° |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | - |
| Cabinet Material | Birch plywood | Polypropylene |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes |
| Weight | 57.3 lbs (26 kg) | 33.3 lbs (15.12 kg) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| 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) | 80Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 63Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 49.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.99 | 1.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.91 | 3.87 |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.8kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | - | 48Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | - | XLR/jack input with link output |
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