Short answer: the ART 708-A MK4, and it isn’t especially close. These rank #14 and #15 out of 15 8-inch powered PA speakers, priced at $525 and $2100, a $1575 difference.
The ART 708-A MK4 is discontinued but affordable and straightforward. Its 10.4kg cabinet combines a 127dB claimed peak, a broad horn and RCF’s FiRPHASE processing. The low-quality vendor measurement is truncated and can’t produce a reliable preference score, and RCF’s own newer ART 708-A MK5 is the better buy if it’s available at a similar price, but as a budget option this MK4 is still a sound choice.
The VENU 8a costs roughly four times as much and measures far behind. Low-quality vendor data gives it a 1.36 ideal-subwoofer preference score, the weakest measured result of any speaker in this family of rankings, with bass extension only to roughly 106Hz. Its 80° x 80° horn does deliver unusually wide, symmetric coverage and a 134dB claimed peak, useful for stage-monitor work, but it’s voiced as a subwoofer-dependent top rather than a stand-alone full-range box, and at this price that’s a hard sell.
Buy the ART 708-A MK4 for value: it costs a fraction of the VENU 8a and isn’t handicapped by a documented weak measurement.
Buy the VENU 8a only if you specifically need its 80° x 80° symmetric horn coverage for stage-monitor duty and are already planning to run it with a subwoofer.
Neither of these is a sound-quality pick. Look higher up the 15 8-inch two-way powered pa speakers if that is what you are optimizing for.
Specifications Side By Side
| RCF ART 708-A MK4 | Audiofocus VENU 8a | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $525.00 | $2,100.00 |
| Ranked | #14 of 15 in 8-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers | #15 of 15 in 8-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way full-range PA speaker |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 18.9"H x 11.5"W x 10.9"D (480 x 291 x 276 mm) | 16.9"H x 10.7"W x 11.5"D (430 x 273 x 291 mm) |
| Inputs | XLR/jack combo input; XLR output | Three-pin XLR input and link output |
| Amplifier Power | 800W peak / 400W RMS (600W LF + 200W HF peak, manufacturer specified) | 430W AES / 1,720W peak (350W LF + 80W HF AES, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene composite | High-grade birch plywood with polyurea coating |
| Rigging | Two M10 fly points; 35mm pole socket | Adjustable pole mount and M8 threaded inserts |
| Coverage | 100° x 70° | 80° x 80° |
| Maximum SPL | 127dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 134dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 112Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg | 25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- Axiom ED80P vs Martin Audio CDD8
- RCF ART 708-A MK5 vs Martin Audio CDD8
- Vue Audiotechnik H-8 vs RCF ART 708-A MK5
- Audiofocus VENU 8a vs QSC K10.2
- Martin Audio CDD8 vs Audiofocus VENU 8a
Prices on this page were last checked September 7, 2026 at 7:47 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
RCF ART 708-A MK4: $525.00 B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: The 10.4kg cabinet combines 127dB claimed peak output, a broad horn and RCF’s FiRPHASE processing in a straightforward, affordable package for an 8-inch box.
Cons: The low-quality vendor measurement is truncated and cannot produce a reliable preference score. This discontinued MK4 offers little reason to choose it over the newer ART 708-A MK5 unless the used price is substantially lower.
Full RCF ART 708-A MK4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 800W peak / 400W RMS (600W LF + 200W HF peak, manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene composite |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 100° x 70° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection |
| Dimensions | 18.9"H x 11.5"W x 10.9"D (480 x 291 x 276 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR/jack combo input; XLR output |
| Maximum SPL | 127dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | Two M10 fly points; 35mm pole socket |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audiofocus VENU 8a: $2,100.00 eBay
Pros: A wide 80° x 80° horn and 134dB claimed peak give it unusually broad, symmetric coverage and high maximum output for stage use, and its 11.5kg weight is manageable for a touring box.
Cons: Low-quality vendor data shows a 1.36 ideal-subwoofer preference score with bass extension only to roughly 106Hz, the weakest measured result of any speaker in this family of rankings; this cabinet is voiced as a subwoofer-dependent top rather than a stand-alone full-range box.
Full Audiofocus VENU 8a review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 430W AES / 1,720W peak (350W LF + 80W HF AES, manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 112Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | High-grade birch plywood with polyurea coating |
| Configuration | Active 2-way full-range PA speaker |
| Coverage | 80° x 80° |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.9"H x 10.7"W x 11.5"D (430 x 273 x 291 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Three-pin XLR input and link output |
| Maximum SPL | 134dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | Adjustable pole mount and M8 threaded inserts |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons