Short answer: the Yamaha DBR10. It ranks #29 of 39 10-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $349.99. The Yamaha CBR10 ranks #33, rated 3.2/5, at $299.99, $50 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the Yamaha DBR10 does well: Yamaha’s most portable 10-inch powered speaker carries the same DSP and amplification platform as the DXR and DZR series, with a built-in 2-channel mixer accepting XLR, 1/4-inch and RCA sources. The tradeoff: Medium-quality vendor data shows a 4.75 ideal-subwoofer preference score, mid-pack for this ranking, so a subwoofer partner matters for full-range material.
What the Yamaha CBR10 does well: The passive version of the measured Yamaha DBR10, sharing its 10” woofer, compression driver and lightweight polypropylene cabinet with 90° x 60° coverage. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.
Buy the Yamaha DBR10. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $50 you would save on the Yamaha CBR10 does not close the gap.
About the ratings: the Yamaha CBR10’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 2.8 to 3.6, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha DBR10 | Yamaha CBR10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $299.99 Passive |
| Ranked | #29 of 39 in 10-Inch PA Speakers | #33 of 39 in 10-Inch PA Speakers Estimated |
| Passive | No | Yes |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 10” woofer, 1” compression driver | 10” woofer, 1” voice coil compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 19.4”H x 12.1”W x 11.4”D (493 x 308 x 289 mm) | - |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo and stereo RCA; XLR output | - |
| Amplifier Power | 700W dynamic / 325W continuous (500W LF + 200W HF dynamic) | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic | - |
| Rigging | 2 x M8 points; 35mm pole mount | 2 x M8 eyebolt points; 35mm pole socket |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 90° x 60° |
| Maximum SPL | 129dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 123dB (calculated, manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| DSP | Yes | No (passive) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.00 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.75 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | - |
| 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 | - |
| Power Handling | - | 700W peak |
| Sensitivity | - | 94dB |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Yamaha DBR10:
- QSC K10.2 vs Yamaha DBR10
- RCF KX 10-A vs Yamaha DBR10
- Yamaha DXR10mkIII vs Yamaha DBR10
- Yamaha DXR10mkII vs Yamaha DBR10
- RCF ART 710-A MK5 vs Yamaha DBR10
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 DBR10: $349.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Same family: the Yamaha DBR12 (larger powered model, rated 3.6/5), the Yamaha DBR15 (larger powered model, rated 2.9/5), the Yamaha CBR10 (smallest passive model, ranked lower, estimated 3.2/5), the Yamaha CBR12 (passive model, estimated 3.4/5) and the Yamaha CBR15 (largest passive model, estimated 2.7/5).
Pros: Yamaha’s most portable 10-inch powered speaker carries the same DSP and amplification platform as the DXR and DZR series, with a built-in 2-channel mixer accepting XLR, 1/4-inch and RCA sources. Measured bass extension of 69Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Medium-quality vendor data shows a 4.75 ideal-subwoofer preference score, mid-pack for this ranking, so a subwoofer partner matters for full-range material.
Full Yamaha DBR10 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 700W dynamic / 325W continuous (500W LF + 200W HF dynamic) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 19.4”H x 12.1”W x 11.4”D (493 x 308 x 289 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo and stereo RCA; XLR output |
| Maximum SPL | 129dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Rigging | 2 x M8 points; 35mm pole mount |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.00 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.75 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha CBR10: $299.99 Passive Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Yamaha DBR10 (smallest powered model, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5), the Yamaha DBR12 (powered model, rated 3.6/5), the Yamaha DBR15 (largest powered model, rated 2.9/5), the Yamaha CBR12 (larger passive model, estimated 3.4/5) and the Yamaha CBR15 (larger passive model, estimated 2.7/5).
Pros: The passive version of the measured Yamaha DBR10, sharing its 10” woofer, compression driver and lightweight polypropylene cabinet with 90° x 60° coverage. Yamaha rates it at 94dB sensitivity, 123dB maximum SPL and bass to 50Hz (-10dB), and at 9.4 kg it is one of the lighter 10-inch boxes.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. It needs an external amplifier, and without the powered model’s DSP its response depends on the amplifier’s EQ. The measured powered version is a budget design, so expect the same limits on output and smoothness.
Full Yamaha CBR10 review and specifications →
| 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 | 10” woofer, 1” voice coil compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB (calculated, manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 700W peak |
| Rigging | 2 x M8 eyebolt points; 35mm pole socket |
| Sensitivity | 94dB |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 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