Short answer: pick the JBL PRX912 if you want sound quality that has been measured and ranked; the PreSonus CDL12P is unmeasured so far, so its case rests on features and price.
The case for the PreSonus CDL12P: An active two-way PA speaker that keeps the CDL12’s hybrid point-source and line-array layout: a 12-inch woofer behind a curved column of eight 2-inch drivers, crossed over at 420Hz, with 120° by 15° coverage.
On the JBL PRX912 side: High-quality manufacturer Spinorama data, 132dB claimed peak output, app control and unusually deep onboard processing make this one of the most versatile choices.
On paper: The PreSonus CDL12P is rated down to 48Hz against 50Hz, though makers quote these at different tolerances.
Price: the PreSonus CDL12P lists at $949.99 and the JBL PRX912 at $999.
Buy the JBL PRX912 if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the PreSonus CDL12P if you want deeper rated bass, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| PreSonus CDL12P | JBL PRX912 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $949.99 | $999.00 |
| Ranked | - | #6 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Active 2-way constant-directivity PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, eight 2” high-frequency drivers | 12” woofer, 1.5” compression driver |
| Amplifier Power | 2,000W peak / 1,000W program / 500W RMS (250W RMS per band) | 2000W peak / 1000W RMS |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 18kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 420Hz | 1920Hz |
| Maximum SPL | 130dB peak | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 120° x 15° | 90° x 50° |
| Inputs | XLR line input and direct XLR line output | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, 3.5mm aux |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Control only; no Bluetooth audio |
| Rigging | Integrated flyware for arrays of up to six; 35mm pole socket with 7.5° downtilt | 6 x M10 suspension points; dual 36mm pole sockets |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic enclosure with 1.2mm steel grille | Polypropylene/talc composite |
| Dimensions | 473.8H x 522.3W x 467.9D mm | 25”H x 15.5”W x 13.1”D (636 x 394 x 332 mm) |
| Weight | 28.6 kg | 43 lbs (19.5 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 54Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| App | - | Yes (JBL Pro Connect) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.05 |
| RCA Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | Yes |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| Guitar Input | - | No |
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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 CDL12P: $949.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the PreSonus CDL12 (rated 3.3/5).
Pros: An active two-way PA speaker that keeps the CDL12’s hybrid point-source and line-array layout: a 12-inch woofer behind a curved column of eight 2-inch drivers, crossed over at 420Hz, with 120° by 15° coverage. PreSonus rates it at 2,000W peak (500W RMS) and 130dB peak SPL, with a 48Hz to 18kHz range (±3dB). Up to six can be flown with the integrated rigging, and onboard DSP has array and subwoofer presets. It moves to a lighter plastic enclosure with a steel grille for touring use.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers, and the measured CDL12’s results can’t be assumed to carry over to the new enclosure. It still weighs 28.6 kg (63 lb), and it is a professional speaker with no Bluetooth or battery.
Full PreSonus CDL12P review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2,000W peak / 1,000W program / 500W RMS (250W RMS per band) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic enclosure with 1.2mm steel grille |
| Configuration | Active 2-way constant-directivity PA speaker |
| Coverage | 120° x 15° |
| Crossover Frequency | 420Hz |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 473.8H x 522.3W x 467.9D mm |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, eight 2” high-frequency drivers |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 18kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR line input and direct XLR line output |
| Maximum SPL | 130dB peak |
| Rigging | Integrated flyware for arrays of up to six; 35mm pole socket with 7.5° downtilt |
| Weight | 28.6 kg |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL PRX912: $999.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: High-quality manufacturer Spinorama data, 132dB claimed peak output, app control and unusually deep onboard processing make this one of the most versatile choices. The measured 54Hz bass extension is useful for speech and lighter music without a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its 6.05 ideal-subwoofer preference score trails the QSC and FBT ProMaxX, with less even sound-power behavior in the supplied data. At 19.5kg it is not especially light, and Bluetooth is for control rather than audio streaming.
Full JBL PRX912 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 2000W peak / 1000W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL Pro Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | Control only; no Bluetooth audio |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene/talc composite |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 50° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1920Hz |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25”H x 15.5”W x 13.1”D (636 x 394 x 332 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1.5” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, 3.5mm aux |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 6 x M10 suspension points; dual 36mm pole sockets |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.05 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 43 lbs (19.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons