Short answer: the Yamaha DBR12. It ranks #40 of 83 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $459.99. The Behringer Eurolive B212XL ranks #80, rated 2.3/5, at $219, $240.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Yamaha DBR12 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. An affordable, light 12 inch powered PA speaker with a two channel mixer and simple main and monitor presets. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 2.32 against -1.01 for the Behringer Eurolive B212XL. Its bass reaches about 58Hz before falling 3dB, against 95Hz for the Behringer Eurolive B212XL. The catch: Medium-quality vendor data produces a below-average 4.92 ideal-subwoofer preference score, indicating substantial tonal/directivity compromises.
What the Behringer Eurolive B212XL does well: A cheap, light passive 12 inch PA speaker that modest amps drive loud, with daisy chain inputs and a pole socket. The tradeoff: Erin’s Audio Corner’s measurements are among the weakest in this class: the listening window spans 8.5dB between 300Hz and 5kHz, the predicted in-room response is rough (0.32 smoothness), and the preference score is -1.01 (2.30 with an ideal subwoofer).
Buy the Yamaha DBR12. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $240.99 saving on the Behringer Eurolive B212XL is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Yamaha DBR12 reaches 58 Hz (3 dB down) against 95 Hz for the Behringer Eurolive B212XL, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Yamaha DBR12 scores 4.9 against 2.3 for the Behringer Eurolive B212XL on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha DBR12 | Behringer Eurolive B212XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $459.99 | $219.00 each Passive |
| Ranked | #40 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #80 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | No | Yes |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1.4” compression driver | 12” woofer, 1.75” titanium-diaphragm compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 18kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 95Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 90° x 60° |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, stereo RCA | Parallel professional twist-lock and quarter-inch inputs |
| DSP | Yes | No (passive) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 34.8 lbs (15.8 kg) | 24 lbs (10.9 kg) |
| Dimensions | 23.7”H x 14.8”W x 13.7”D (601 x 376 x 348 mm) | 21.7”H x 13.6”W x 10.6”D (550 x 345 x 270 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 1000W dynamic / 465W continuous (800W LF + 200W HF dynamic) | Passive speaker; use external amplification within the 800W peak handling rating |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic | Molded enclosure |
| Rigging | 3 x M8 points; 35mm pole mount | Standard speaker-pole mount; optional wall bracket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.32 | -1.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.92 | 2.30 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 200W continuous, 800W peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | - | 95dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Yamaha DBR12: Spinorama.org measurements.
- Behringer Eurolive B212XL: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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