Short answer: the ART 735-A MK4 for now, given established pricing and a larger compression driver, with the XP15 worth watching once its price settles. These rank #50 and #51 out of 76 15-inch powered PA speakers. The RCF ART 735-A MK4 is discontinued; its replacement is the RCF ART 735-A MK5. If you are buying new, get the RCF ART 735-A MK5.
The XP15 extends Martin Audio’s 12-inch design to a 15-inch cabinet. Medium-quality vendor data returns a 4.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score with 48Hz measured extension, extending the XP12’s rotatable horn and Class-D amplification, with an 80° x 50° rotatable coverage pattern. Its own cons note Martin Audio has a smaller North American dealer network than JBL, Yamaha or QSC, and pricing is not yet well established for this model.
The ART 735-A MK4 uses a larger compression driver and is currently sold. Its large 3-inch compression-driver voice coil, 132dB claimed peak and roughly 53Hz measured extension give it useful vocal headroom and bass reach, and the 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg) enclosure remains manageable for a 15-inch box. Its own cons note the low-quality vendor data is truncated and doesn’t yield a preference score, and it’s discontinued and eclipsed by current 9-series and MK5 models.
Buy the ART 735-A MK4 for its larger compression driver and established price, keeping in mind it’s a discontinued model now superseded by RCF’s 9-series and MK5 lines.
Buy the XP15 if Martin Audio’s rotatable horn design and measured bass extension fit your system once pricing is confirmed.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
A powered 15 inch PA speaker with a rotatable horn, two combo inputs and fairly deep bass for gigs and events.
A discontinued powered 15 inch PA speaker with strong vocal headroom and decent bass reach in a manageable cabinet.
Prices on this page were last checked October 23, 2026 at 8:27 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 XP15 | RCF ART 735-A MK4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,950 | $888.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #50 of 76 in 15-Inch PA Speakers | #51 of 76 in 15-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | No | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 15” woofer, compression driver | 15” woofer, 1.4” compression driver with 3” voice coil |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 45Hz (-10dB) | 45Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 27.2”H x 16.8”W x 16”D (690 x 427 x 407 mm) | 27.9”H x 17.2”W x 15.3”D (708 x 437 x 389 mm) |
| Inputs | Two female XLR/quarter-inch combo inputs; male XLR mix output | XLR/jack combo input; XLR output |
| Amplifier Power | 1,300W peak (1,000W LF + 300W HF, manufacturer specified) | 1,400W peak / 700W RMS (1,000W LF + 400W HF peak, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2kHz active (24dB/octave) | 800Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Cabinet Material | Multi-angle birch/poplar plywood | Polypropylene composite |
| Rigging | Thirteen M8 inserts; pole-mount socket | Two M10 fly points; pole mount |
| Coverage | 80° x 50°, rotatable | 100° x 60° |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 53Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| DSP | Yes | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.44 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.71 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak / 125dB continuous | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 57.3 lbs (26 kg) | 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Martin Audio XP15 (measured by the manufacturer) and RCF ART 735-A MK4 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
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