Short answer: the PreSonus CDL12P, if you are buying new. The PreSonus CDL12 ranks higher than the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F (#56 vs #62 of 83 12-inch pa speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the PreSonus CDL12P, is rated 3.5/5 at $949.99 and is still sold new.
The PreSonus CDL12 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A powered 12 inch PA speaker with a column of tweeters for controlled coverage, designed to scale up into flown arrays. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.20 against 1.13 for the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F. Its bass reaches about 58Hz before falling 3dB, against 82.5Hz for the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F. The catch: 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: A passive 12 inch PA speaker with a rotatable horn that widens up close and loud rated peaks, for use with an external amp. 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 CDL12P, the replacement for the discontinued PreSonus CDL12; it is rated higher for sound quality than the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| PreSonus CDL12 | HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999.95 Discontinued | $666 Passive |
| Ranked | #56 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #62 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | No | Yes |
| 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 | 3 x M8 rigging points; DuoTilt 3°/7° 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) |
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