Short answer: the Yamaha CXR15mkIII. It ranks #32 of 62 15-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $799; the RCF ART 735-A MK5 ranks #35, rated 3.4/5, and costs $999, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Yamaha CXR15mkIII: The passive version of the measured Yamaha DXR15mkIII, with the same 15” woofer, 1.75” voice coil compression driver, horn and port design. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.
The case for the RCF ART 735-A MK5: A 15” woofer and a 1.4” exit titanium compression driver with a 3” voice coil, powered by 1,400W peak (1,000W LF, 400W HF) with DSP crossover at 800Hz. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the Yamaha CXR15mkIII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the RCF ART 735-A MK5 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Yamaha CXR15mkIII 3.1 to 3.9; RCF ART 735-A MK5 3.2 to 3.6). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha CXR15mkIII | RCF ART 735-A MK5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 Passive | $999.00 |
| Ranked | #32 of 62 in 15-Inch PA Speakers Estimated | #35 of 62 in 15-Inch PA Speakers Estimated |
| Weight | 41.9 lbs (19 kg) | 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg) |
| Rigging | 3 x M10 and 4 x M8 inserts; 35mm pole sockets (0° or 7°) | Pole mount |
| Passive | Yes | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 15” woofer, 1.75” voice coil compression driver | 15” woofer, 1.4” compression driver with 3” titanium voice coil |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 90° x 60° |
| Power Handling | 1,200W peak | - |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB (manufacturer specified) | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 95dB | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| DSP | No (passive) | Yes, FiRPHASE, XBOOST, limiting and protection |
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification | 1,400W peak (1,000W LF + 400W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 800Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Cabinet Material | - | Polypropylene composite |
| Dimensions | - | 27.9”H x 17.2”W x 15.3”D (708 x 437 x 389 mm) |
| TRS Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Yamaha CXR15mkIII:
- RCF ART 715-A MK5 vs Yamaha CXR15mkIII
- Yamaha CXR15mkIII vs LD Systems Stinger 15-A-G3
- RCF ART 735-A MK5 vs Yamaha DXR15mkII
- RCF ART 735-A MK5 vs RCF ART 735-A MK4
- RCF ART 735-A MK5 vs JBL PRX915
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Yamaha CXR15mkIII: $799.00 Passive Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Yamaha DXR10mkIII (smallest powered model, rated 3.8/5), the Yamaha DXR12mkIII (powered model, rated 4.1/5), the Yamaha DXR15mkIII (largest powered model, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5), the Yamaha CXR10mkIII (smaller passive model, estimated 3.5/5) and the Yamaha CXR12mkIII (smaller passive model, estimated 3.8/5). See every Yamaha DXR and CXR generation.
Pros: The passive version of the measured Yamaha DXR15mkIII, with the same 15” woofer, 1.75” voice coil compression driver, horn and port design. Yamaha rates it at 95dB sensitivity, 126dB maximum SPL and bass to 50Hz (-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 CXR15mkIII 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 | 15” woofer, 1.75” voice coil compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 1,200W peak |
| Rigging | 3 x M10 and 4 x M8 inserts; 35mm pole sockets (0° or 7°) |
| Sensitivity | 95dB |
| Weight | 41.9 lbs (19 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 735-A MK5: $999.00 Estimated Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the RCF ART 735-A MK4 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). 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 712-A MK5 (smaller model, rated 3.6/5), the RCF ART 732-A MK5 (smaller model, rated 3.8/5), the RCF ART 715-A MK5 (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5) and the RCF ART 745-A MK5 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: A 15” woofer and a 1.4” exit titanium compression driver with a 3” voice coil, powered by 1,400W peak (1,000W LF, 400W HF) with DSP crossover at 800Hz. RCF rates it at 45Hz to 20kHz and 132dB maximum output over 90° x 60° coverage. FiRPHASE phase alignment and XBOOST bass modes can be set from the rear panel or the LiveRemote app, and the mic/line input feeds an XLR link output.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. At 21.4 kg it is heavy for one person to lift onto a pole, and it needs a subwoofer for deep bass at event levels.
Full RCF ART 735-A MK5 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1,400W peak (1,000W LF + 400W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene composite |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| Crossover Frequency | 800Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes, FiRPHASE, XBOOST, 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” compression driver with 3” titanium voice coil |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Passive | No |
| Rigging | Pole mount |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| Weight | 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- 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