Short answer: the Yamaha DXR12mkIII has been measured and ranked among 12-inch pa speakers; the PreSonus CDL12P has not been independently measured yet, so until it is, this comes down to 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 Yamaha DXR12mkIII side: The third-generation DXR raises claimed output to 134dB and adds 2000W amplification, app-based control and more capable onboard DSP while staying light at 17.4kg.
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 Yamaha DXR12mkIII at $999.99.
Buy the Yamaha DXR12mkIII if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked. It also has Bluetooth.
Buy the PreSonus CDL12P if you want deeper rated bass and XLR inputs, 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 | Yamaha DXR12mkIII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $949.99 | $999.99 |
| Ranked | - | #13 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” throat/1.75” diaphragm compression driver |
| Amplifier Power | 2,000W peak / 1,000W program / 500W RMS (250W RMS per band) | 2000W peak / 1000W RMS (1700W LF + 300W HF peak) |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 18kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 420Hz | 1800Hz (FIR-X) |
| Maximum SPL | 130dB peak | 134dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 120° x 15° | 90° x 60° |
| Inputs | XLR line input and direct XLR line output | Balanced mic/line inputs and link output |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| DSP | Yes | Yes, FIR-X tuning, Drive Motion Calibration and D-Remote |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 5.0 (audio streaming and D-Remote control) |
| Rigging | Integrated flyware for arrays of up to six; 35mm pole socket with 7.5° downtilt | 3 x M10 points plus U-bracket points; 35mm dual-angle pole mount |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic enclosure with 1.2mm steel grille | PP plastic |
| Dimensions | 473.8H x 522.3W x 467.9D mm | 23.6”H x 14.4”W x 13.8”D (600 x 366 x 350 mm) |
| Weight | 28.6 kg | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| 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 | - | Yes |
| 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
Yamaha DXR12mkIII: $999.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: The third-generation DXR raises claimed output to 134dB and adds 2000W amplification, app-based control and more capable onboard DSP while staying light at 17.4kg. Medium-quality vendor data shows measured extension around 60Hz. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The truncated Spinorama data does not produce a preference score, so its tonal advantage over the proven DXR12mkII is not yet quantified. Wireless connectivity is for remote control, not a substitute for a wired production-audio input.
Full Yamaha DXR12mkIII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 2000W peak / 1000W RMS (1700W LF + 300W HF peak) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 (audio streaming and D-Remote control) |
| Cabinet Material | PP plastic |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz (FIR-X) |
| DSP | Yes, FIR-X tuning, Drive Motion Calibration and D-Remote |
| Dimensions | 23.6”H x 14.4”W x 13.8”D (600 x 366 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1” throat/1.75” diaphragm compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced mic/line inputs and link output |
| Maximum SPL | 134dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 3 x M10 points plus U-bracket points; 35mm dual-angle pole mount |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Yamaha DXR12mkIII vs Yamaha DXR12mkII
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- See all 24 comparisons