Short answer: the Martin Audio XP12. It ranks #30 of 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers by sound quality; the RCF ART 712-A MK4 ranks #35.
What the RCF ART 712-A MK4 offers: The 17.8kg cabinet combines 129dB claimed peak output, a broad horn and RCF’s FiRPHASE processing in a straightforward package. Its measured response extends to roughly 65Hz before the first major roll-off. Watch for: 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 712-A MK5 unless the used price is substantially lower.
What the Martin Audio XP12 offers: The vendor Spinorama data gives it a 4.92 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 56Hz bass extension. A three-channel mixer, channel EQ, 80° x 50° rotatable horn and 18kg plywood cabinet make it unusually versatile. Watch for: The Spinorama source has unknown quality, limiting confidence in the score. Its 128dB claimed peak output is modest for this category, and Bluetooth requires an optional control/streaming module rather than being standard.
Buy the RCF ART 712-A MK4 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Martin Audio XP12 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers instead.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| RCF ART 712-A MK4 | Martin Audio XP12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $509.00 | - |
| Ranked | #35 of 37 in 12-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers | #30 of 37 in 12-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, 1" compression driver | 12" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 62Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 50Hz (-10dB) |
| Dimensions | 25.1"H x 15.2"W x 14.3"D (637 x 387 x 363 mm) | 22.6"H x 14.1"W x 12.5"D (574 x 358 x 318 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 1,400W peak / 700W RMS (1,000W LF + 400W HF peak, manufacturer specified) | 1,300W peak (1,000W LF + 300W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) | 2.3kHz active (24dB/octave) |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene composite | Multi-angle birch/poplar plywood |
| Rigging | Two M10 fly points; pole mount | 17 M8 inserts; pole-mount socket |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 61.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 80° x 50°, rotatable |
| Maximum SPL | 129dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo input and XLR link | 2 x XLR/TRS combo plus mix output |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection | Yes, 3-channel mixer, channel EQ and voicing presets |
| Bluetooth | No | Optional control and audio module |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) | 39.7 lbs (18 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 2.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 4.92 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- QSC K12.2 vs Martin Audio XP12
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- RCF ART 932-A vs Martin Audio XP12
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
RCF ART 712-A MK4: $509.00 B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: The 17.8kg cabinet combines 129dB claimed peak output, a broad horn and RCF’s FiRPHASE processing in a straightforward package. Its measured response extends to roughly 65Hz before the first major roll-off. Measured bass extension of 65Hz (-3dB).
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 712-A MK5 unless the used price is substantially lower.
Full RCF ART 712-A MK4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1,400W peak / 700W RMS (1,000W LF + 400W HF peak, manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene composite |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection |
| Dimensions | 25.1"H x 15.2"W x 14.3"D (637 x 387 x 363 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo input and XLR link |
| Maximum SPL | 129dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | Two M10 fly points; pole mount |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- RCF ART 712-A MK4 vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- RCF ART 712-A MK4 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
- RCF ART 712-A MK4 vs PreSonus ULT12
- RCF ART 712-A MK4 vs Amate Audio X12CLA
- RCF ART 712-A MK4 vs RCF HD 12-A MK5
- RCF ART 712-A MK4 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- RCF ART 712-A MK4 vs Yamaha DBR12
- RCF ART 712-A MK4 vs RCF NX 912-A
- See all 23 comparisons
Martin Audio XP12 eBay
Pros: The vendor Spinorama data gives it a 4.92 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 56Hz bass extension. A three-channel mixer, channel EQ, 80° x 50° rotatable horn and 18kg plywood cabinet make it unusually versatile. Measured bass extension of 61.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The Spinorama source has unknown quality, limiting confidence in the score. Its 128dB claimed peak output is modest for this category, and Bluetooth requires an optional control/streaming module rather than being standard.
Full Martin Audio XP12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1,300W peak (1,000W LF + 300W HF, manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | Optional control and audio module |
| Cabinet Material | Multi-angle birch/poplar plywood |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 80° x 50°, rotatable |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.3kHz active (24dB/octave) |
| DSP | Yes, 3-channel mixer, channel EQ and voicing presets |
| Dimensions | 22.6"H x 14.1"W x 12.5"D (574 x 358 x 318 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 62Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 50Hz (-10dB) |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo plus mix output |
| Maximum SPL | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | 17 M8 inserts; pole-mount socket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.92 |
| Weight | 39.7 lbs (18 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Martin Audio XP12 vs LD Systems Stinger 12 A G3
- Martin Audio XP12 vs PreSonus CDL12
- Martin Audio XP12 vs RCF HD 12-A MK5
- Martin Audio XP12 vs Electro-Voice MFX-12MC
- Martin Audio XP12 vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- Martin Audio XP12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- Martin Audio XP12 vs Yamaha DBR12
- Martin Audio XP12 vs RCF NX 912-A
- See all 19 comparisons