Short answer: the RCF HD 12-A MK5 on measured sound quality, the PreSonus ULT12 on price. The RCF HD 12-A MK5 ranks #28 of 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers at $600. The PreSonus ULT12 ranks #37 at $500, $100 cheaper.
What the RCF HD 12-A MK5 offers: The current 18.3kg cabinet offers 130dB claimed peak output, 90° x 60° coverage and RCF FiRPHASE/Bass Motion Control processing at a comparatively accessible price. Medium-quality vendor data indicates useful extension into the low 60Hz region. Watch for: The truncated Spinorama measurement cannot produce a preference score, so tonal confidence is lower than for the fully scored leaders. Controls are intentionally simple and omit app control, networking and a multi-input mixer.
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 HD 12-A MK5 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the PreSonus ULT12 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| RCF HD 12-A MK5 | PreSonus ULT12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $600.00 | $500.00 |
| Ranked | #28 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, 1.4" compression driver | 12" woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | Not published by PreSonus in the current product specifications |
| Dimensions | 25.5"H x 15"W x 15"D (647 x 380 x 380 mm) | 25.2"H x 14"W x 13.9"D (641 x 356 x 353 mm) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 110° x 50° |
| Maximum SPL | 130dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo input and XLR link | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak / 700W RMS (1000W LF + 400W HF peak) | 1,300W peak / 650W continuous (1,000W / 500W LF; 300W / 150W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz | 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, FiRPHASE and Bass Motion Control | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 40.3 lbs (18.3 kg) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 0.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 2.75 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How RCF HD 12-A MK5 compares with other leading options:
- QSC K12.2 vs RCF HD 12-A MK5
- KV2 Audio EX12 vs RCF HD 12-A MK5
- JBL PRX912 vs RCF HD 12-A MK5
- RCF KX 32-A vs RCF HD 12-A MK5
- RCF ART 932-A vs RCF HD 12-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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
RCF HD 12-A MK5: $600.00 B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: The current 18.3kg cabinet offers 130dB claimed peak output, 90° x 60° coverage and RCF FiRPHASE/Bass Motion Control processing at a comparatively accessible price. Medium-quality vendor data indicates useful extension into the low 60Hz region. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The truncated Spinorama measurement cannot produce a preference score, so tonal confidence is lower than for the fully scored leaders. Controls are intentionally simple and omit app control, networking and a multi-input mixer.
Full RCF HD 12-A MK5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak / 700W RMS (1000W LF + 400W HF peak) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | PP composite |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE and Bass Motion Control |
| Dimensions | 25.5"H x 15"W x 15"D (647 x 380 x 380 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, 1.4" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo input and XLR link |
| Maximum SPL | 130dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount |
| Weight | 40.3 lbs (18.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- RCF HD 12-A MK5 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 XA
- RCF HD 12-A MK5 vs LD Systems Stinger 12 A G3
- RCF HD 12-A MK5 vs Martin Audio XP12
- RCF HD 12-A MK5 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 FA
- RCF HD 12-A MK5 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- RCF HD 12-A MK5 vs Yamaha DBR12
- RCF HD 12-A MK5 vs RCF NX 912-A
- RCF HD 12-A MK5 vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- 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