These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Novacoustic KIRA 12 ranks #61 of 66 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality; the Novacoustic KIRA 8 ranks #33 of 35 8-inch pa speakers by sound quality. Both are rated below 3.0/5 for their class (66 12-inch pa speakers and 35 8-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 -1.23 for the Novacoustic KIRA 8. Its bass reaches about 90Hz before falling 3dB, against 118Hz for the Novacoustic KIRA 8. The catch: 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).
The case for the Novacoustic KIRA 8: A compact coaxial cabinet with 96dB sensitivity, a 123dB peak and 90° conical coverage, with bass to about 78Hz at -10dB. The tradeoff: Preference scores of -1.23 standalone and 2.13 with an ideal subwoofer are low, because the listening window spreads across 7.7dB and bass rolls off at 118Hz (-3dB).
Buy the Novacoustic KIRA 12 for a 12-inch pa speaker; the Novacoustic KIRA 8 suits a 8-inch pa speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Novacoustic KIRA 12 | Novacoustic KIRA 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | - |
| Ranked | #61 of 66 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #33 of 35 in 8-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” coaxial driver | 8” coaxial driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Power Handling | 450W RMS | 250W RMS |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 123dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 90° | 90° x 90° |
| Sensitivity | 98.5dB | 96dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 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) | 118Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 76.0Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | about 77.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -0.63 | -1.23 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.62 | 2.13 |
| Dimensions | - | 9.8”H x 9.8”W x 9.8”D (250 x 250 x 250 mm) |
| Weight | - | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Novacoustic KIRA 12:
- Novacoustic KIRA 8 vs Novacoustic KIRA 10
- Novacoustic KIRA 5 vs Novacoustic KIRA 8
- Novacoustic KIRA 12 vs Novacoustic KIRA 10
- Novacoustic KIRA 12 vs Novacoustic KIRA 5
- 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 8 Passive eBay
Pros: A compact coaxial cabinet with 96dB sensitivity, a 123dB peak and 90° conical coverage, with bass to about 78Hz at -10dB. Measured bass extension of 118Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Preference scores of -1.23 standalone and 2.13 with an ideal subwoofer are low, because the listening window spreads across 7.7dB and bass rolls off at 118Hz (-3dB). It is passive.
Full Novacoustic KIRA 8 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 77.7Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 118Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 90° |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 9.8”H x 9.8”W x 9.8”D (250 x 250 x 250 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” coaxial driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 250W RMS |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 96dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -1.23 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.13 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons