Short answer: the PreSonus CDL12P is the newer model that replaces the PreSonus CDL12, but only the PreSonus CDL12 has been measured and ranked so far, so this comparison is on specs and features rather than sound. The PreSonus CDL12 is discontinued, so it is now a used buy.
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 PreSonus CDL12 side: Its constant-directivity high-frequency array is designed for controlled coverage and scalable deployments rather than a conventional single horn.
Price: the PreSonus CDL12P lists at $949.99 and the PreSonus CDL12 at $500.
Buy the PreSonus CDL12 if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the PreSonus CDL12P if you want the newer model, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| PreSonus CDL12P | PreSonus CDL12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $949.99 | $500.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | - | #42 of 50 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Active 2-way constant-directivity PA speaker | Active 2-way constant-directivity PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, eight 2” high-frequency drivers | 12” woofer, eight 2” high-frequency drivers |
| Amplifier Power | 2,000W peak / 1,000W program / 500W RMS (250W RMS per band) | 2,000W peak / 500W RMS (1,000W peak / 250W RMS per band, manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 18kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 420Hz | 420Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 130dB peak | 131dB peak |
| Coverage | 120° x 15° | 120° x 20° per enclosure (-6dB) |
| Inputs | XLR line input and direct XLR line output | XLR input and direct XLR line output |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Rigging | Integrated flyware for arrays of up to six; 35mm pole socket with 7.5° downtilt | Integrated array rigging; dual-position 35mm pole mount |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic enclosure with 1.2mm steel grille | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Dimensions | 473.8H x 522.3W x 467.9D mm | 18.6”H x 20.8”W x 17.5”D (473 x 529 x 444.5 mm) |
| Weight | 28.6 kg | 65 lbs (29.5 kg) |
| Network Control | - | Worx Control remote control (compression, polarity, limiting, delay, EQ and presets) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 2.20 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 4.79 |
| RCA Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| 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
PreSonus CDL12: $500.00 Discontinued B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the PreSonus CDL12P. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
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. Discontinued.
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