Short answer: the Yamaha DBR15, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #54 of 62 15-inch pa speakers by sound quality, rated 2.9/5, at $559.99. The Yamaha CBR15 ranks #59, rated 2.7/5, at $384, $175.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 62 15-inch pa speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the RCF ART 715-A MK5 instead, ranked #24 at $699.
What the Yamaha DBR15 does well: Yamaha’s most portable 15-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, RCA and 3.5mm sources. The tradeoff: Medium-quality vendor data shows a 2.87 ideal-subwoofer preference score, one of the weaker results in this ranking and well below the Yamaha DBR12’s own measured result, so a subwoofer partner matters more here than with most alternatives.
The case for the Yamaha CBR15: The passive version of the measured Yamaha DBR15, sharing its 15” 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 DBR15. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $175.99 with the Yamaha CBR15 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
About the ratings: the Yamaha CBR15’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 2.3 to 3.1, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha DBR15 | Yamaha CBR15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $559.99 | $384.00 Passive |
| Ranked | #54 of 62 in 15-Inch PA Speakers | #59 of 62 in 15-Inch PA Speakers Estimated |
| Passive | No | Yes |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Passive 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 15” woofer, 1.4” compression driver | 15” woofer, 1” voice coil compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 46Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 27.6”H x 17.9”W x 14.9”D (700 x 455 x 378 mm) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 126dB (calculated, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo and stereo RCA; XLR output | - |
| 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 inserts; 35mm pole socket |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | - |
| DSP | Yes | No (passive) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 42.5 lbs (19.3 kg) | 39 lbs (17.7 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.49 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.87 | - |
| 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 | - |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° (constant directivity horn) | 90° x 60° |
| Power Handling | - | 1,000W peak |
| Sensitivity | - | 96dB |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Yamaha DBR15 compares with other leading options:
- RCF ART 945-A vs Yamaha DBR15
- RCF KX 45-A vs Yamaha DBR15
- RCF NX 945-A vs Yamaha DBR15
- Yamaha DZR15 vs Yamaha DBR15
- JBL PRX915 vs Yamaha DBR15
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 DBR15: $559.99 B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Same family: the Yamaha DBR10 (smaller powered model, rated 3.4/5), the Yamaha DBR12 (smaller powered model, rated 3.6/5), the Yamaha CBR10 (smallest passive model, estimated 3.2/5), the Yamaha CBR12 (passive model, estimated 3.4/5) and the Yamaha CBR15 (largest passive model, ranked lower, estimated 2.7/5).
Pros: Yamaha’s most portable 15-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, RCA and 3.5mm sources. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Medium-quality vendor data shows a 2.87 ideal-subwoofer preference score, one of the weaker results in this ranking and well below the Yamaha DBR12’s own measured result, so a subwoofer partner matters more here than with most alternatives.
Full Yamaha DBR15 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) | 53Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Plastic |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° (constant directivity horn) |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 27.6”H x 17.9”W x 14.9”D (700 x 455 x 378 mm) |
| Drivers | 15” woofer, 1.4” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo and stereo RCA; XLR output |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB 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 | 0.49 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.87 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 42.5 lbs (19.3 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha CBR15: $384.00 Passive Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Yamaha DBR10 (smallest powered model, rated 3.4/5), the Yamaha DBR12 (powered model, rated 3.6/5), the Yamaha DBR15 (largest powered model, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5), the Yamaha CBR10 (smaller passive model, estimated 3.2/5) and the Yamaha CBR12 (smaller passive model, estimated 3.4/5).
Pros: The passive version of the measured Yamaha DBR15, sharing its 15” woofer, compression driver and lightweight polypropylene cabinet with 90° x 60° coverage. Yamaha rates it at 96dB sensitivity, 126dB maximum SPL and bass to 46Hz (-10dB), and at 17.7 kg it is one of the lighter 15-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 CBR15 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 | 15” woofer, 1” voice coil compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB (calculated, manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 1,000W peak |
| Rigging | 3 x M8 inserts; 35mm pole socket |
| Sensitivity | 96dB |
| Weight | 39 lbs (17.7 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