Short answer: the RCF ART 712-A MK5 on measured sound quality, the PreSonus ULT12 on price. The RCF ART 712-A MK5 ranks #25 of 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers at $549. The PreSonus ULT12 ranks #37 at $500, $49 cheaper.
What the RCF ART 712-A MK5 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the PreSonus ULT12 offers: Very broad 110° x 50° nominal coverage can be useful in shallow rooms, and the plywood cabinet, rotatable horn and onboard mixer are practical live-sound features. Measured bass extension reaches 60Hz in the medium-quality vendor data. Watch for: The 2.75 ideal-subwoofer preference score is the weakest in this 15-model group, reflecting major response/directivity irregularity. It is difficult to recommend for sound quality when stronger measured alternatives are available at similar prices.
Buy the RCF ART 712-A MK5 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the PreSonus ULT12 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
The PreSonus ULT12 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers; there are better options higher up.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| RCF ART 712-A MK5 | PreSonus ULT12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $500.00 |
| Ranked | #25 of 37 in 12-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers | #37 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, 1.75" compression driver | 12" woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | Not published by PreSonus in the current product specifications |
| Dimensions | 25.1"H x 15.2"W x 14.3"D (637 x 387 x 363 mm) | 25.2"H x 14"W x 13.9"D (641 x 356 x 353 mm) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 110° x 50° |
| Maximum SPL | 129dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) | 1,300W peak / 650W continuous (1,000W / 500W LF; 300W / 150W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1600Hz | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Cabinet Material | PP composite | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Rigging | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount | M10 suspension points; two-position 35mm pole socket |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 0.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 2.75 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How RCF ART 712-A MK5 compares with other leading options:
- QSC K12.2 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- KV2 Audio EX12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- JBL PRX912 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- RCF KX 32-A vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- RCF ART 932-A vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
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 MK5: $549.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | PP composite |
| 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) |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo |
| Maximum SPL | 129dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 FA
- RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs RCF NX 912-A
- RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 XA
- 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 Yamaha DZR12
- See all 24 comparisons
PreSonus ULT12: $500.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Very broad 110° x 50° nominal coverage can be useful in shallow rooms, and the plywood cabinet, rotatable horn and onboard mixer are practical live-sound features. Measured bass extension reaches 60Hz in the medium-quality vendor data. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.75 ideal-subwoofer preference score is the weakest in this 15-model group, reflecting major response/directivity irregularity. It is difficult to recommend for sound quality when stronger measured alternatives are available at similar prices.
Full PreSonus ULT12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1,300W peak / 650W continuous (1,000W / 500W LF; 300W / 150W HF, manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 110° x 50° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25.2"H x 14"W x 13.9"D (641 x 356 x 353 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | Not published by PreSonus in the current product specifications |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| Rigging | M10 suspension points; two-position 35mm pole socket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.75 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons