RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X

Short answer: the RCF ART 712-A MK5. It ranks #34 of 50 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $549; the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X ranks #41, rated 3.5/5, and costs $899, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.

The case for the RCF ART 712-A MK5: A compact, relatively affordable RCF with 129dB claimed output, FiRPHASE processing and familiar 90° x 60° coverage. The catch: The local low-quality manufacturer data has no computed preference score, making its measured tonal position uncertain.

The case for the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X: High-quality manufacturer measurements give a 5.51 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and 0.63 predicted in-room smoothness. The tradeoff: It is designed as a top for use with a subwoofer: bass measures 103Hz at -3dB and about 67Hz at -10dB, and the standalone preference score is only 2.20.

Buy the RCF ART 712-A MK5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.

Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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

RCF ART 712-A MK5: $549.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay

Older model: the RCF ART 712-A MK4 (rated 3.1/5).

Pros: A compact, relatively affordable RCF with 129dB claimed output, FiRPHASE processing and familiar 90° x 60° coverage. It is an appealing simple top for buyers who plan to cross to a subwoofer and do not need app control.

Cons: The local low-quality manufacturer data has no computed preference score, making its measured tonal position uncertain. The smaller compression-driver assembly offers less vocal headroom than the ART 732-A MK5.

Full RCF ART 712-A MK5 review and specifications →

AES Input	No
Amplifier Power	1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF)
Aux Input	No
Bluetooth	No
Cabinet Material	PP composite
Coaxial Input	No
Configuration	Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker
Coverage	90° x 60°
Crossover Frequency	1600Hz
DSP	Yes
Dimensions	25.1”H x 15.2”W x 14.3”D (637 x 387 x 363 mm)
Drivers	12” woofer, 1.75” compression driver
Frequency Response	50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified)
Guitar Input	No
HDMI Input	No
Inputs	XLR/TRS combo
Maximum SPL	129dB peak (manufacturer specified)
Microphone Input	No
Optical Input	No
RCA Input	No
Rigging	2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount
TRS Input	Yes
USB Input	No
Weight	39.2 lbs (17.8 kg)
XLR Input	Yes

• Links
  • RCF ART 712-A MK5 Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Spinorama Measurements
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs Yamaha DBR12
  • RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 FA
  • RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 XA
  • RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs Coda Audio G512
  • RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs RCF HD 12-A MK5
  • RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs Martin Audio XP12
  • RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs RCF ART 732-A MK5
  • RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
  • See all 27 comparisons

HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X: $899.00 Passive B&H Photo Video eBay

Pros: High-quality manufacturer measurements give a 5.51 preference score with an ideal subwoofer and 0.63 predicted in-room smoothness. A 12-inch woofer and 1-inch compression driver on a rotatable 60° x 40° CD horn give a 135dB peak and long throw, and the birch and MDF cabinet doubles as a floor monitor. Measured bass extension of 103Hz (-3dB).

Cons: It is designed as a top for use with a subwoofer: bass measures 103Hz at -3dB and about 67Hz at -10dB, and the standalone preference score is only 2.20. A 3.1dB reference band and 0.625 listening-window deviation mean tonal balance is uneven. It is passive and needs an external amplifier, and B&H lists it as special order.

Full HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X review and specifications →

AES Input	No
Amplifier Power	Passive speaker; requires external amplification
Aux Input	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	about 67.1Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	103Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data)
Bluetooth	No
Cabinet Material	Birch/MDF hybrid
Coaxial Input	No
Configuration	Passive 2-way PA speaker and floor monitor
Coverage	60° x 40° (rotatable)
DSP	No (passive)
Dimensions	26.4”H x 14.6”W x 11.8”D (670 x 370 x 300 mm)
Drivers	12” woofer (2.5” voice coil), 1” compression driver (1.75” voice coil)
Frequency Response	100Hz - 18kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified)
Guitar Input	No
HDMI Input	No
Maximum SPL	135dB peak (manufacturer specified)
Microphone Input	No
Optical Input	No
Power Handling	500W RMS / 1,000W program
RCA Input	No
Spinorama Preference Score	2.20
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub	5.51
TRS Input	No
USB Input	No
Weight	43 lbs (19.5 kg)
XLR Input	No

• Links
  • HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Spinorama Measurements
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X vs PreSonus CDL12
  • HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F