Short answer: these solve different problems, so the right pick depends on what you already own. They rank #13 and #14 out of 15 8-inch PA speakers, but one is a passive on-wall install box and the other is a self-contained active PA speaker.
The CDD8 is passive and built for installation, not main PA duty. Its coaxial Differential Dispersion driver gives point-source summation of the low and high sections for consistent coverage, and its ultra-compact enclosure mounts horizontally or vertically for on-wall use. Being passive, it needs an external amplifier and crossover, and its own review notes it targets installed foreground music rather than full PA main duty. Medium-quality vendor data gives it a 3.4 ideal-subwoofer preference score.
The ART 708-A MK4 is a self-contained active box, but a discontinued one. At 10.4kg it combines a 127dB claimed peak, a broad horn, and RCF’s FiRPHASE processing in a straightforward, affordable package. Its own review flags that the local measurement is truncated and cannot produce a reliable preference score, and that this MK4 offers little reason to choose it over the newer ART 708-A MK5 unless the used price is substantially lower.
Rigging reflects the different use cases. The CDD8 has six M6 inserts for wall or ceiling brackets, purpose-built for fixed installation. The ART 708-A MK4 has two M10 fly points plus a 35mm pole socket, suited to a stand-mounted or flown gig rig.
Buy the Martin Audio CDD8 if you are doing a permanent install and already have amplification and processing in a rack, and want a low-profile coaxial box that disappears on a wall.
Buy the RCF ART 708-A MK4 if you need a grab-and-go active box for gigs, but only at a discount versus the newer ART 708-A MK5, since the MK4 brings no clear measured advantage of its own.
Skip both if sound quality is the priority. There are better options higher up the 15 8-inch two-way powered pa speakers.
Specifications Side By Side
| Martin Audio CDD8 | RCF ART 708-A MK4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $525.00 |
| Ranked | #13 of 15 in 8-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers | #14 of 15 in 8-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 8" coaxial woofer, 1" exit compression driver | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 55Hz (-10dB) | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 16.1"H x 10.1"W x 9.9"D (410 x 256 x 252 mm) | 18.9"H x 11.5"W x 10.9"D (480 x 291 x 276 mm) |
| Inputs | Low-profile 13A push-lock input and link | XLR/jack combo input; XLR output |
| Power Handling | 200W AES / 800W peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 200W AES / 800W peak handling rating | 800W peak / 400W RMS (600W LF + 200W HF peak, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.3kHz passive | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Cabinet Material | Composite material | Polypropylene composite |
| Rigging | Six M6 inserts for wall/ceiling brackets | Two M10 fly points; 35mm pole socket |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 128Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 75Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Coverage | - | 100° x 70° |
| Maximum SPL | - | 127dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | - | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection |
| Weight | - | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Axiom ED80P vs RCF ART 708-A MK5
- Audiofocus VENU 8a vs QSC K10.2
- Vue Audiotechnik H-8 vs RCF ART 708-A MK5
- RCF ART 708-A MK5 vs RCF ART 708-A MK4
- RCF ART 708-A MK5 vs Martin Audio CDD8
Prices on this page were last checked September 7, 2026 at 7:47 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 CDD8 eBay
Pros: Medium-quality vendor data shows a 3.4 ideal-subwoofer preference score. The coaxial Differential Dispersion driver gives point-source summation of the LF and HF sections for consistent coverage, and the ultra-compact enclosure mounts horizontally or vertically for on-wall installation use.
Cons: Being passive, it needs an external amplifier and crossover, and its compact on-wall design targets installed foreground music over full PA main duty.
Full Martin Audio CDD8 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 200W AES / 800W peak handling rating |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 128Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Composite material |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.3kHz passive |
| Dimensions | 16.1"H x 10.1"W x 9.9"D (410 x 256 x 252 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" coaxial woofer, 1" exit compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 55Hz (-10dB) |
| Inputs | Low-profile 13A push-lock input and link |
| Power Handling | 200W AES / 800W peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | Six M6 inserts for wall/ceiling brackets |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
RCF ART 708-A MK4: $525.00 B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: The 10.4kg cabinet combines 127dB claimed peak output, a broad horn and RCF’s FiRPHASE processing in a straightforward, affordable package for an 8-inch box.
Cons: The low-quality vendor measurement is truncated and cannot produce a reliable preference score. This discontinued MK4 offers little reason to choose it over the newer ART 708-A MK5 unless the used price is substantially lower.
Full RCF ART 708-A MK4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 800W peak / 400W RMS (600W LF + 200W HF peak, manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene composite |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 100° x 70° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection |
| Dimensions | 18.9"H x 11.5"W x 10.9"D (480 x 291 x 276 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR/jack combo input; XLR output |
| Maximum SPL | 127dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | Two M10 fly points; 35mm pole socket |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons