Short answer: the ART 745-A MK5, by a wide margin. These rank #18 and #19 out of 29 15-inch powered PA speakers, priced at $1299 and $2500, a $1201 difference.
The ART 745-A MK5 is light, self-powered, and tops RCF’s ART7 range. The top of the ART7 range pairs 133dB claimed peak output with a light 18.8kg enclosure, RCF’s largest ART7-tier compression driver and FiRPHASE processing carried over from the smaller 712/732-A MK5 models. The low-quality vendor measurement is truncated and can’t generate a preference score, so its tonal position relies on published engineering rather than a confirmed result.
The A-15 is passive, heavier, and its measured bass extension is shallow. Low-quality vendor data shows a 3.83 ideal-subwoofer preference score, and the passive point-source design keeps amplification and DSP choices flexible for installers building out a system. Being passive, it needs an external amplifier and processing to perform correctly, adding cost and complexity that self-powered rivals avoid, and measured bass extension is shallow at roughly 118Hz, so a subwoofer is effectively mandatory. At 27kg it’s also heavier than the ART 745-A MK5.
Buy the ART 745-A MK5 for self-powered convenience and lighter weight, even without a confirmed preference score to compare directly against the A-15’s documented 3.83.
Buy the A-15 only if you’re already committed to external amplification and passive system design, since its measured bass extension is meaningfully shallower.
Specifications Side By Side
| RCF ART 745-A MK5 | Vue Audiotechnik A-15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,299.00 | $2,500.00 |
| Ranked | #18 of 29 in 15-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers | #19 of 29 in 15-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 15" woofer, 1.4" exit/3" diaphragm compression driver | 15" woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 18kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 27.9"H x 17.2"W x 15.3"D (708 x 437 x 389 mm) | Not published by VUE in the current product page |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 70° x 55° |
| Maximum SPL | 133dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR and 1/4-inch jack input; XLR output | Passive input connections: not published by VUE in the current product page |
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 600W average / 1,200W program handling rating |
| Crossover Frequency | 650Hz | - |
| Cabinet Material | PP composite | Multi-ply cross-grain laminated birch plywood |
| Rigging | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount | Integrated fly points and pole-mount system |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 118Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 41.4 lbs / 18.8 kg | 59.5 lbs / 27 kg |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- Electro-Voice MFX-15MC vs RCF NX 915-A
- LD Systems Stinger 15-A-G3 vs RCF ART 745-A MK4
- RCF ART 715-A MK5 vs RCF NX 915-A
- RCF NX 915-A vs Vue Audiotechnik A-15
- Vue Audiotechnik A-15 vs RCF ART 745-A MK4
Prices on this page were last checked September 7, 2026 at 7:47 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 745-A MK5: $1,299.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: The top of the ART7 range pairs 133dB claimed peak output with a light 18.8kg enclosure, RCF’s largest ART7-tier compression driver and FiRPHASE processing carried over from the smaller 712/732-A MK5 models.
Cons: The low-quality vendor measurement is truncated and cannot generate a preference score, so its tonal position relies on published engineering rather than a confirmed result.
Full RCF ART 745-A MK5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | PP composite |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| Crossover Frequency | 650Hz |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE, EQ, limiting and protection |
| Dimensions | 27.9"H x 17.2"W x 15.3"D (708 x 437 x 389 mm) |
| Drivers | 15" woofer, 1.4" exit/3" diaphragm compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR and 1/4-inch jack input; XLR output |
| Maximum SPL | 133dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount |
| Weight | 41.4 lbs / 18.8 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Vue Audiotechnik A-15: $2,500.00 eBay
Pros: Low-quality vendor data shows a 3.83 ideal-subwoofer preference score, and the passive point-source design keeps amplification and DSP choices flexible for installers building out a system.
Cons: Being passive, it needs an external amplifier and processing to perform correctly, adding cost and complexity that self-powered rivals avoid. Measured bass extension is shallow at roughly 118Hz, so a subwoofer is effectively mandatory.
Full Vue Audiotechnik A-15 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 600W average / 1,200W program handling rating |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 118Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Multi-ply cross-grain laminated birch plywood |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 70° x 55° |
| Dimensions | Not published by VUE in the current product page |
| Drivers | 15" woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 18kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Passive input connections: not published by VUE in the current product page |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | Integrated fly points and pole-mount system |
| Weight | 59.5 lbs / 27 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons