Short answer: the Yamaha DBR12. It ranks #24 of 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers by sound quality at $390.99; the PreSonus ULT12 ranks #37 and costs $500, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Yamaha DBR12 offers: A lightweight, widely supported entry point with a useful two-channel mixer, FIR-X crossover processing and straightforward main/monitor presets. The 58Hz measured extension is adequate for speech and modest music playback without a subwoofer. Watch for: Medium-quality vendor data produces a below-average 4.23 ideal-subwoofer preference score, indicating substantial tonal/directivity compromises. Its 131dB output claim and controls also sit below Yamaha’s DXR and DZR tiers.
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 Yamaha DBR12. It ranks higher for sound quality than the PreSonus ULT12 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
The PreSonus ULT12 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers; there are better options higher up.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha DBR12 | PreSonus ULT12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $390.99 | $500.00 |
| Ranked | #24 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 | 52Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | Not published by PreSonus in the current product specifications |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 110° x 50° |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, stereo RCA | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 34.8 lbs (15.8 kg) | - |
| Dimensions | 23.7"H x 14.8"W x 13.7"D (601 x 376 x 348 mm) | 25.2"H x 14"W x 13.9"D (641 x 356 x 353 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 1000W dynamic / 465W continuous (800W LF + 200W HF dynamic) | 1,300W peak / 650W continuous (1,000W / 500W LF; 300W / 150W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Rigging | 3 x M8 points; 35mm pole mount | M10 suspension points; two-position 35mm pole socket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.63 | 0.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.23 | 2.75 |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Yamaha DBR12:
- QSC K12.2 vs Yamaha DBR12
- KV2 Audio EX12 vs Yamaha DBR12
- JBL PRX912 vs Yamaha DBR12
- RCF KX 32-A vs Yamaha DBR12
- RCF ART 932-A vs Yamaha DBR12
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Yamaha DBR12: $390.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: A lightweight, widely supported entry point with a useful two-channel mixer, FIR-X crossover processing and straightforward main/monitor presets. The 58Hz measured extension is adequate for speech and modest music playback without a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Medium-quality vendor data produces a below-average 4.23 ideal-subwoofer preference score, indicating substantial tonal/directivity compromises. Its 131dB output claim and controls also sit below Yamaha’s DXR and DZR tiers.
Full Yamaha DBR12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1000W dynamic / 465W continuous (800W LF + 200W HF dynamic) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 23.7"H x 14.8"W x 13.7"D (601 x 376 x 348 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, 1.4" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, stereo RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | 3 x M8 points; 35mm pole mount |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.23 |
| Weight | 34.8 lbs (15.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head 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
- PreSonus ULT12 vs Audiofocus VENU 12a
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK4
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- PreSonus ULT12 vs Martin Audio XP12
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF HD 12-A MK5
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF NX 912-A
- PreSonus ULT12 vs Yamaha DZR12
- See all 18 comparisons