Short answer: the Yamaha DBR12. It ranks #39 of 78 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $459.99. The Yamaha CBR12 ranks #53, rated 3.4/5, at $334.99, $125 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the Yamaha DBR12 does well: A lightweight, widely supported entry point with a useful two-channel mixer, FIR-X crossover processing and straightforward main/monitor presets. Watch for: Medium-quality vendor data produces a below-average 4.92 ideal-subwoofer preference score, indicating substantial tonal/directivity compromises.
Why pick the Yamaha CBR12: The passive version of the measured Yamaha DBR12, sharing its 12” woofer, compression driver and lightweight polypropylene cabinet with 90° x 60° coverage. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers.
Buy the Yamaha DBR12. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $125 you would save on the Yamaha CBR12 does not close the gap.
About the ratings: the Yamaha CBR12’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.0 to 3.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha DBR12 | Yamaha CBR12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $459.99 | $334.99 Passive |
| Ranked | #39 of 78 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #53 of 78 in 12-Inch PA Speakers Estimated |
| 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” voice coil compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 48Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 90° x 60° |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 125dB (calculated, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, stereo RCA | - |
| DSP | Yes | No (passive) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 34.8 lbs (15.8 kg) | 30.6 lbs (13.9 kg) |
| Dimensions | 23.7”H x 14.8”W x 13.7”D (601 x 376 x 348 mm) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 1000W dynamic / 465W continuous (800W LF + 200W HF dynamic) | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic | - |
| Rigging | 3 x M8 points; 35mm pole mount | 3 x M8 eyebolt points; 35mm pole mount |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.32 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.92 | - |
| 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 | - | 96dB |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for 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 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 DBR12: $459.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Same family: the Yamaha DBR10 (smaller powered model, rated 3.4/5), the Yamaha DBR15 (larger powered model, rated 2.9/5), the Yamaha CBR10 (smallest passive model, estimated 3.2/5), the Yamaha CBR12 (passive model, ranked lower, estimated 3.4/5) and the Yamaha CBR15 (largest passive model, estimated 2.7/5).
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 4.92 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 →
| Released | Sep 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 1000W dynamic / 465W continuous (800W LF + 200W HF dynamic) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (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 | 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) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, stereo RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 131dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Passive | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Rigging | 3 x M8 points; 35mm pole mount |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.92 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 34.8 lbs (15.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha CBR12: $334.99 Passive Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Yamaha DBR10 (smallest powered model, rated 3.4/5), the Yamaha DBR12 (powered model, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5), the Yamaha DBR15 (largest powered model, rated 2.9/5), the Yamaha CBR10 (smaller passive model, estimated 3.2/5) and the Yamaha CBR15 (larger passive model, estimated 2.7/5).
Pros: The passive version of the measured Yamaha DBR12, sharing its 12” woofer, compression driver and lightweight polypropylene cabinet with 90° x 60° coverage. Yamaha rates it at 96dB sensitivity, 125dB maximum SPL and bass to 48Hz (-10dB), and at 13.9 kg it is one of the lighter 12-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 CBR12 review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2014 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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” voice coil compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 125dB (calculated, manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 700W peak |
| Rigging | 3 x M8 eyebolt points; 35mm pole mount |
| Sensitivity | 96dB |
| Weight | 30.6 lbs (13.9 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