Short answer: the PreSonus CDL12. It ranks #42 of 50 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $500; the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F ranks #46, rated 3.2/5, and costs $666, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the PreSonus CDL12: Its constant-directivity high-frequency array is designed for controlled coverage and scalable deployments rather than a conventional single horn. The tradeoff: This is a specialized, heavier cabinet whose rigging and array behavior add complexity for ordinary portable-PA buyers.
The case for the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F: The passive version of the LINEAR 5 112 FA, with a 12-inch woofer and 1-inch compression driver on a rotatable asymmetric horn that widens from 60° to 90°, rated to 135dB peak. The catch: The standalone preference score is only 1.13, with a 0.806 listening-window deviation and bass measuring 82.5Hz at -3dB, so tonal balance is uneven and it needs a subwoofer.
Buy the PreSonus CDL12. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| PreSonus CDL12 | HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500.00 | $666 |
| Ranked | #42 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #46 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Active 2-way constant-directivity PA speaker | Passive 2-way PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, eight 2” high-frequency drivers | 12” woofer (2.5” voice coil), 1” compression driver (1.75” voice coil) |
| Dimensions | 18.6”H x 20.8”W x 17.5”D (473 x 529 x 444.5 mm) | 26.3”H x 14.6”W x 14.4”D (668 x 370 x 365 mm) |
| Inputs | XLR input and direct XLR line output | - |
| Amplifier Power | 2,000W peak / 500W RMS (1,000W peak / 250W RMS per band, manufacturer specified) | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Crossover Frequency | 420Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Cabinet Material | 15mm eucalyptus plywood | - |
| Rigging | Integrated array rigging; dual-position 35mm pole mount | - |
| Network Control | Worx Control remote control (compression, polarity, limiting, delay, EQ and presets) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 82.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| DSP | Yes | No (passive) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.20 | 1.13 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.79 | 4.21 |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 120° x 20° per enclosure (-6dB) | 60°-90° asymmetric x 55° (rotatable) |
| Weight | 65 lbs (29.5 kg) | 52.7 lbs (23.9 kg) |
| Frequency Response | - | 79Hz - 18kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 500W RMS / 1,000W program |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How PreSonus CDL12 compares with other leading options:
- LD Systems Stinger 12 A G3 vs PreSonus CDL12
- Martin Audio XP12 vs PreSonus CDL12
- HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X vs PreSonus CDL12
- PreSonus CDL12 vs Electro-Voice MFX-12MC
- PreSonus CDL12 vs Amate Audio X12CLA
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
PreSonus CDL12: $500.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Its constant-directivity high-frequency array is designed for controlled coverage and scalable deployments rather than a conventional single horn. The medium-quality vendor data provides a 4.79 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 58Hz measured extension. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-3dB).
Cons: This is a specialized, heavier cabinet whose rigging and array behavior add complexity for ordinary portable-PA buyers. The measured tonal score is modest, and availability is less consistent than the mainstream QSC, JBL, Yamaha and RCF choices.
Full PreSonus CDL12 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 2,000W peak / 500W RMS (1,000W peak / 250W RMS per band, manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way constant-directivity PA speaker |
| Coverage | 120° x 20° per enclosure (-6dB) |
| Crossover Frequency | 420Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 18.6”H x 20.8”W x 17.5”D (473 x 529 x 444.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, eight 2” high-frequency drivers |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR input and direct XLR line output |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Network Control | Worx Control remote control (compression, polarity, limiting, delay, EQ and presets) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | Integrated array rigging; dual-position 35mm pole mount |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.79 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 65 lbs (29.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F: $666 Passive Thomann eBay
Pros: The passive version of the LINEAR 5 112 FA, with a 12-inch woofer and 1-inch compression driver on a rotatable asymmetric horn that widens from 60° to 90°, rated to 135dB peak. High-quality manufacturer measurements give a 4.21 preference score with an ideal subwoofer, and bass reaches about 60Hz at -10dB. Measured bass extension of 82.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The standalone preference score is only 1.13, with a 0.806 listening-window deviation and bass measuring 82.5Hz at -3dB, so tonal balance is uneven and it needs a subwoofer. It is passive and needs an external amplifier; B&H no longer carries it.
Full HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way PA speaker |
| Coverage | 60°-90° asymmetric x 55° (rotatable) |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Dimensions | 26.3”H x 14.6”W x 14.4”D (668 x 370 x 365 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer (2.5” voice coil), 1” compression driver (1.75” voice coil) |
| Frequency Response | 79Hz - 18kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 135dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Power Handling | 500W RMS / 1,000W program |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.13 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.21 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 52.7 lbs (23.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons