Short answer: the Yamaha CXR12mkIII. It ranks #33 of 78 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $699. The RCF ART 712-A MK5 ranks #40, rated 3.6/5, at $599, $100 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Yamaha CXR12mkIII: The passive version of the measured Yamaha DXR12mkIII, with the same 12” woofer, 1.75” voice coil compression driver, horn and port design. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.
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.
Buy the Yamaha CXR12mkIII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $100 with the RCF ART 712-A MK5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Worth knowing: the Yamaha CXR12mkIII has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.4 to 4.2, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha CXR12mkIII | RCF ART 712-A MK5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 Passive | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #33 of 78 in 12-Inch PA Speakers Estimated | #40 of 78 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) |
| Rigging | 3 x M10 eyebolt points; 4 x M8 points | 2 x M10 inserts; 35mm pole mount |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1.75” voice coil compression driver | 12” woofer, 1.75” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 51Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 90° x 60° |
| Power Handling | 1,100W peak | - |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB (manufacturer specified) | 129dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 94dB | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 65.0Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Dimensions | - | 25.1”H x 15.2”W x 14.3”D (637 x 387 x 363 mm) |
| Inputs | - | XLR/TRS combo |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1600Hz |
| Cabinet Material | - | PP composite |
| RCA Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | Yes |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| Guitar Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Yamaha CXR12mkIII:
- RCF ART 732-A MK5 vs Yamaha CXR12mkIII
- Yamaha CXR12mkIII vs LD Systems Stinger 12 A G3
- RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 F
- RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs Yamaha DXR15mkII
- QSC K10.2 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Yamaha CXR12mkIII: $699.00 Passive Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Yamaha DXR10mkIII (smallest powered model, rated 3.8/5), the Yamaha DXR12mkIII (powered model, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5), the Yamaha DXR15mkIII (largest powered model, rated 3.8/5), the Yamaha CXR10mkIII (smaller passive model, estimated 3.5/5) and the Yamaha CXR15mkIII (larger passive model, estimated 3.5/5). See every Yamaha DXR and CXR generation.
Pros: The passive version of the measured Yamaha DXR12mkIII, with the same 12” woofer, 1.75” voice coil compression driver, horn and port design. Yamaha rates it at 94dB sensitivity, 124dB maximum SPL and bass to 51Hz (-10dB) with 90° x 60° coverage, and its PX and PC-D amplifiers carry a dedicated processing preset for it.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. It needs an external amplifier and, for its rated response, speaker processing; the powered model has that built in. Without Yamaha’s preset its tonal balance depends on the amplifier’s EQ.
Full Yamaha CXR12mkIII review and specifications →
| Released | 2026 (this year) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1.75” voice coil compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 51Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 1,100W peak |
| Rigging | 3 x M10 eyebolt points; 4 x M8 points |
| Sensitivity | 94dB |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
RCF ART 712-A MK5: $599.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Older model: the RCF ART 712-A MK4 (ranked lower, rated 3.1/5). See every RCF ART 7 generation.
Same family: the RCF ART 708-A MK5 (smaller model, rated 3.4/5), the RCF ART 710-A MK5 (smaller model, rated 3.6/5), the RCF ART 732-A MK5 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5), the RCF ART 715-A MK5 (larger model, rated 3.6/5), the RCF ART 735-A MK5 (larger model, estimated 3.4/5) and the RCF ART 745-A MK5 (larger model, rated 3.5/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 65.0Hz (-3dB).
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 RCF ART 732-A MK5.
Full RCF ART 712-A MK5 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 1400W peak (1000W LF + 400W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 65.0Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| 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 |
| Passive | 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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- 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 HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 X
- RCF ART 712-A MK5 vs RCF ART 732-A MK5
- See all 29 comparisons