Short answer: the RCF ART 712-A MK5. It ranks #41 of 83 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $549. The Behringer Eurolive B212XL ranks #80, rated 2.3/5, at $219, $330 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The RCF ART 712-A MK5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. An affordable 12 inch powered PA speaker with simple controls, a good top for pairing with a subwoofer. Its bass reaches about 65Hz before falling 3dB, against 95Hz for the Behringer Eurolive B212XL. Watch for: The local low-quality manufacturer data has no computed preference score, making its measured tonal position uncertain.
The case for the Behringer Eurolive B212XL: A cheap, light passive 12 inch PA speaker that modest amps drive loud, with daisy chain inputs and a pole socket. Watch for: Erin’s Audio Corner’s measurements are among the weakest in this class: the listening window spans 8.5dB between 300Hz and 5kHz, the predicted in-room response is rough (0.32 smoothness), and the preference score is -1.01 (2.30 with an ideal subwoofer).
Buy the RCF ART 712-A MK5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $330 you would save on the Behringer Eurolive B212XL does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the RCF ART 712-A MK5 reaches 65 Hz (3 dB down) against 95 Hz for the Behringer Eurolive B212XL, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
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Specifications Side By Side
| RCF ART 712-A MK5 | Behringer Eurolive B212XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $219.00 each Passive |
| Ranked | #41 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #80 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65.0Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 95Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Passive | No | Yes |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1.75” compression driver | 12” woofer, 1.75” titanium-diaphragm compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 18kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 25.1”H x 15.2”W x 14.3”D (637 x 387 x 363 mm) | 21.7”H x 13.6”W x 10.6”D (550 x 345 x 270 mm) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 90° x 60° |
| Maximum SPL | 129dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo | Parallel professional twist-lock and quarter-inch inputs |
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 800W peak handling rating |
| Crossover Frequency | 1600Hz | - |
| Cabinet Material | PP composite | Molded enclosure |
| Rigging | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount | Standard speaker-pole mount; optional wall bracket |
| DSP | Yes | No (passive) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) | 24 lbs (10.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 200W continuous, 800W peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | -1.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 2.30 |
| Sensitivity | - | 95dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- RCF ART 712-A MK5: Spinorama.org measurements.
- Behringer Eurolive B212XL: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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