Short answer: the Yamaha DXR12mkIII on measured sound quality, the PreSonus ULT12 on price. The Yamaha DXR12mkIII ranks #10 of 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers at $999.99. The PreSonus ULT12 ranks #37 at $500, $499.99 cheaper.
What the Yamaha DXR12mkIII offers: The third-generation DXR raises claimed output to 134dB and adds 2000W amplification, app-based control and more capable onboard DSP while staying light at 17.4kg. Medium-quality vendor data shows measured extension around 60Hz. Watch for: The truncated Spinorama data does not produce a preference score, so its tonal advantage over the proven DXR12mkII is not yet quantified. Wireless connectivity is for remote control, not a substitute for a wired production-audio input.
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 DXR12mkIII when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the PreSonus ULT12 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
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.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha DXR12mkIII | PreSonus ULT12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 | $500.00 |
| Ranked | #10 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" throat/1.75" diaphragm compression driver | 12" woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | Not published by PreSonus in the current product specifications |
| 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) | - |
| 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 | Bluetooth 5.0 audio streaming and D-Remote control | No |
| Weight | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 0.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 2.75 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Yamaha DXR12mkIII compares with other leading options:
- QSC K12.2 vs Yamaha DXR12mkIII
- KV2 Audio EX12 vs Yamaha DXR12mkIII
- JBL PRX912 vs Yamaha DXR12mkIII
- RCF KX 32-A vs Yamaha DXR12mkIII
- RCF ART 932-A vs Yamaha DXR12mkIII
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 DXR12mkIII: $999.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: The third-generation DXR raises claimed output to 134dB and adds 2000W amplification, app-based control and more capable onboard DSP while staying light at 17.4kg. Medium-quality vendor data shows measured extension around 60Hz. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The truncated Spinorama data does not produce a preference score, so its tonal advantage over the proven DXR12mkII is not yet quantified. Wireless connectivity is for remote control, not a substitute for a wired production-audio input.
Full Yamaha DXR12mkIII review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2000W peak / 1000W RMS (1700W LF + 300W HF peak) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 audio streaming and D-Remote control |
| Cabinet Material | PP plastic |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz (FIR-X) |
| DSP | Yes, FIR-X tuning, Drive Motion Calibration and D-Remote |
| Dimensions | 23.6"H x 14.4"W x 13.8"D (600 x 366 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, 1" throat/1.75" diaphragm compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Balanced mic/line inputs and link output |
| Maximum SPL | 134dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | 3 x M10 points plus U-bracket points; 35mm dual-angle pole mount |
| Weight | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Yamaha DXR12mkIII vs RCF ART 932-A
- Yamaha DXR12mkIII vs Yamaha DXR12mkII
- Yamaha DXR12mkIII vs RCF KX 32-A
- Yamaha DXR12mkIII vs Axiom ED120A
- Yamaha DXR12mkIII vs JBL PRX912
- See all 23 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 Yamaha DBR12
- PreSonus ULT12 vs RCF NX 912-A
- See all 18 comparisons