Short answer: the Meyer Sound Ultra X22 for better sound quality, the d&b audiotechnik 44S for the lower price. The Meyer Sound Ultra X22 ranks #5 of 39 compact 5 to 6.5-inch pa speakers, rated 3.9/5, at $5,540. The d&b audiotechnik 44S ranks #10, rated 3.6/5, at $1,500, $4,040 cheaper.
The Meyer Sound Ultra X22 is the deeper-bass pick. A self-powered compact coaxial speaker with accurate sound, a rotatable horn, and very high output for its size. Its bass reaches about 71Hz before falling 3dB, against 122Hz for the d&b audiotechnik 44S. The catch: On-axis narrow-band deviation is 0.478 and predicted in-room smoothness is 0.51, less even than the best compact boxes here.
Why pick the d&b audiotechnik 44S: A small passive speech and fill speaker with dual 4.5 inch drivers and a rotatable horn, built for d&b amplifiers. Watch for: Bass reaches only about 122Hz (-3dB), so it works as a speech and fill box that needs a subwoofer for music.
Buy the Meyer Sound Ultra X22 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the d&b audiotechnik 44S when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 PM 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
| Meyer Sound Ultra X22 | d&b audiotechnik 44S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,540 | $1,500 Passive |
| Ranked | #5 of 39 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers | #10 of 39 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers |
| Weight | 27.1 lbs (12.3 kg) | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) (13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) with backbox) |
| Rigging | 4 x M8 inserts; 4 x M6 wall-mount holes; optional pole adapter | 2 x M8 inserts on rear panel |
| Passive | No | Yes |
| Configuration | Active 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Passive 2-way compact PA speaker |
| Drivers | Dual 5” low-frequency drivers, 2” compression driver (concentric) | Dual 4.5” neodymium woofers, dual 1.25” dome tweeters on a rotatable CD horn |
| Amplifier Power | 860W total peak | Passive speaker; requires external amplification within the 150W RMS / 500W peak handling rating |
| Maximum SPL | 128.5dB peak (manufacturer specified, M-noise) | 123dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 80° x 50° (rotatable constant-Q horn) | Rotatable CD horn (measured 90° x 30°) |
| DSP | Yes | No (passive; used with d&b amplifiers for presets) |
| IP Rating | Weather-protected version available | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 122Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.44 | 3.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.25 | 6.61 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | - | 90Hz - 17kHz (-5dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 150W RMS / 500W peak (manufacturer specified) |
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