Short answer: the Yamaha DXR12mkIII. It ranks #13 of 83 12-inch pa speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $999.99 and is still sold new; the PreSonus ULT12 ranks #77 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Yamaha DXR12mkIII is the better-sounding choice. A light, loud 12 inch powered PA speaker with strong amplification, app control and capable onboard DSP. It has a microphone input for karaoke or announcements, which the PreSonus ULT12 lacks. The catch: The truncated Spinorama data does not produce a preference score, so its tonal advantage over the proven Yamaha DXR12mkII is not yet quantified.
What the PreSonus ULT12 does well: A powered 12 inch PA speaker with an onboard mixer, rotatable horn and very wide coverage for shallow rooms. Watch for: The 3.50 ideal-subwoofer preference score is the weakest in this 15-model group, reflecting major response/directivity irregularity.
Buy the Yamaha DXR12mkIII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the PreSonus ULT12 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
A light, loud 12 inch powered PA speaker with strong amplification, app control and capable onboard DSP.
A powered 12 inch PA speaker with an onboard mixer, rotatable horn and very wide coverage for shallow rooms.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha DXR12mkIII | PreSonus ULT12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 | $999.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers | #77 of 83 in 12-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | No | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 12” woofer, 1” throat/1.75” diaphragm compression driver | 12” woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 23.6”H x 14.4”W x 13.8”D (600 x 366 x 350 mm) | 25.2”H x 14”W x 13.9”D (641 x 356 x 353 mm) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 110° x 50° |
| Maximum SPL | 134dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 135dB (1300W peak power) |
| Inputs | Balanced mic/line inputs and link output | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| Amplifier Power | 2000W peak / 1000W RMS (1700W LF + 300W HF peak) | 1,300W peak / 650W continuous (1,000W / 500W LF; 300W / 150W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz (FIR-X) | 1.6kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Cabinet Material | PP plastic | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Rigging | 3 x M10 points plus U-bracket points; 35mm dual-angle pole mount | M10 suspension points; two-position 35mm pole socket |
| DSP | Yes, FIR-X tuning, Drive Motion Calibration and D-Remote | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Weight | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | 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 | Yes | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 0.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 3.50 |
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