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 Martin Audio XP12 ranks #50, rated 3.5/5, and costs $1,366.80, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the RCF ART 712-A MK5: An affordable 12 inch powered PA speaker with simple controls, a good top for pairing with a subwoofer. The catch: The local low-quality manufacturer data has no computed preference score, making its measured tonal position uncertain.
Why pick the Martin Audio XP12: A versatile powered 12 inch PA speaker with a three channel mixer, channel EQ, rotatable horn and fairly deep bass. The catch: The Spinorama source has unknown quality, limiting confidence in the score.
Buy the RCF ART 712-A MK5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Martin Audio XP12 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
An affordable 12 inch powered PA speaker with simple controls, a good top for pairing with a subwoofer.
A versatile powered 12 inch PA speaker with a three channel mixer, channel EQ, rotatable horn and fairly deep bass.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| RCF ART 712-A MK5 | Martin Audio XP12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $1,366.80 |
| Ranked | #41 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #50 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65.0Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 61.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Passive | No | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1.75” 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) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 80° x 50°, rotatable |
| Maximum SPL | 129dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo | 2 x XLR/TRS combo plus mix output |
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) | 1,300W peak (1,000W LF + 300W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1600Hz | 2.3kHz active (24dB/octave) |
| Cabinet Material | PP composite | Multi-angle birch/poplar plywood |
| Rigging | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount | 17 M8 inserts; pole-mount socket |
| DSP | Yes | 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) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 5.70 |
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