Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Novacoustic KIRA 12 ranks #61 of 66 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality; the Novacoustic KIRA 5 ranks #31 of 32 compact 5 to 6.5-inch pa speakers by sound quality. Both are rated below 3.0/5 for their class (66 12-inch pa speakers and 32 compact 5 to 6.5-inch pa speakers), so if sound quality matters, look higher up the rankings.
The Novacoustic KIRA 12 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. High 98.5dB sensitivity and a 131dB peak with wide 90° conical coverage from a coaxial driver. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is -0.63 against -1.81 for the Novacoustic KIRA 5. Its bass reaches about 90Hz before falling 3dB, against 145Hz for the Novacoustic KIRA 5. Watch for: Preference scores of -0.63 standalone and 2.62 with an ideal subwoofer are low, because the listening window spreads across 10.5dB and off-axis tone varies (4.35dB directivity-index deviation).
Why pick the Novacoustic KIRA 5: A 6.6 lbs (3 kg) coaxial speaker with wide 90° conical coverage and a 16 ohm load that lets several share an amplifier channel. The catch: Bass stops near 145Hz (-3dB) and the on-axis response is uneven (1.36dB average deviation), so vendor measurements give preference scores of -1.81 standalone and 2.17 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Novacoustic KIRA 12 if you want a 12-inch pa speaker. Buy the Novacoustic KIRA 5 if you want a compact 5 to 6.5-inch pa speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Novacoustic KIRA 12 | Novacoustic KIRA 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | - |
| Ranked | #61 of 66 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #31 of 32 in Compact 5 to 6.5-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” coaxial driver | 5” coaxial driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 95Hz - 18kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Power Handling | 450W RMS | 150W RMS |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 117dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 90° | 90° x 90° |
| Sensitivity | 98.5dB | 92dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 16 ohms |
| DSP | No (passive) | No (passive) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| XLR Input | No | 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 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 145Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 76.0Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 105.0Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -0.63 | -1.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.62 | 2.17 |
| Dimensions | - | 6.3”H x 6.3”W x 7.1”D (160 x 160 x 180 mm) |
| Weight | - | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Novacoustic KIRA 12 compares with other leading options:
- Novacoustic KIRA 5 vs Novacoustic KIRA 10
- Novacoustic KIRA 5 vs Novacoustic KIRA 8
- Novacoustic KIRA 12 vs Novacoustic KIRA 10
- Novacoustic KIRA 12 vs Novacoustic KIRA 8
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF ART 945-A
Prices on this page were last checked October 5, 2026 at 10:21 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Novacoustic KIRA 12 Passive eBay
Pros: High 98.5dB sensitivity and a 131dB peak with wide 90° conical coverage from a coaxial driver. Measured bass extension of 90Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Preference scores of -0.63 standalone and 2.62 with an ideal subwoofer are low, because the listening window spreads across 10.5dB and off-axis tone varies (4.35dB directivity-index deviation). Bass reaches only 90Hz at -3dB. It is passive.
Full Novacoustic KIRA 12 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 76.0Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 90° |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Drivers | 12” coaxial driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 450W RMS |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 98.5dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -0.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.62 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Novacoustic KIRA 5 Passive eBay
Pros: A 3kg coaxial speaker with wide 90° conical coverage and a 16 ohm load that lets several share an amplifier channel. Measured bass extension of 145Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass stops near 145Hz (-3dB) and the on-axis response is uneven (1.36dB average deviation), so vendor measurements give preference scores of -1.81 standalone and 2.17 with an ideal subwoofer. It needs a subwoofer and is passive.
Full Novacoustic KIRA 5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 105.0Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 145Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 90° |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 6.3”H x 6.3”W x 7.1”D (160 x 160 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” coaxial driver |
| Frequency Response | 95Hz - 18kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 117dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 150W RMS |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 92dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -1.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.17 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons