Short answer: the JBL PRX908, if you are buying new. The Yamaha DXR8mkII measures as well as it (#5 vs #6 of 47 8-inch pa speakers, 4.0/5 vs 4.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL PRX908 is still sold new at $699.
Both measure unusually deep for an 8-inch cabinet. The DXR8mkII’s vendor data shows a 5.89 ideal-subwoofer preference score with 64Hz measured extension, and the PRX908 is right behind it at 5.69 with 58Hz measured extension. Neither is a speaker you need to apologize for on low end alone.
Where they diverge is control and connectivity. The PRX908 carries a 12-band parametric EQ with dbx DriveRack feedback suppression and Bluetooth control through JBL’s Pro Connect app, while the DXR8mkII’s FIR-X processing has no app or Bluetooth path at all and is the oldest design generation in Yamaha’s own lineup here, with no mkIII successor yet. The PRX908 also spreads sound over a wider 105° x 60° horn against the DXR8mkII’s 90° x 60°, though the DXR8mkII’s 1.75-inch compression driver is larger than the PRX908’s 1.5-inch.
Everything else lines up closely: both are active 2-way bass-reflex boxes with XLR thru/link outputs, M8/M10-class rigging, and DSP built in, within a kilogram of each other in weight.
Buy the PRX908 if you want app-based EQ access, Bluetooth control, or the flexibility of dual combo inputs with separate thru and mix outs.
Buy the DXR8mkII if you do not need networked control and want to save $70.99, or if the wider horn coverage suits your room better.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
A compact powered 8 inch PA speaker with clean, well balanced sound and several inputs, now discontinued but worth buying used.
A compact powered 8 inch PA speaker with well balanced sound, Bluetooth app control and feedback suppression for gigs and monitors.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha DXR8mkII | JBL PRX908 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $769.99 Discontinued | $699.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 47 in 8-Inch PA Speakers | #6 of 47 in 8-Inch PA Speakers |
| Passive | No | No |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1.75” compression driver | 8” woofer, 1.5” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (-10dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 18”H x 11”W x 11”D (458 x 280 x 280 mm) | 18.9”H x 12.3”W x 11.2”D (479 x 312 x 285 mm) |
| Maximum SPL | 130dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 126dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, dual 1/4-inch, stereo RCA; XLR thru and link outputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo, 3.5mm aux; 2 x XLR thru and XLR mix outputs |
| Amplifier Power | 1100W dynamic / 700W continuous (950W LF + 150W HF dynamic) | 2000W peak / 1000W RMS |
| Cabinet Material | Matte-finish ABS | Polypropylene/talc composite |
| Rigging | 3 x M8 points; 35mm dual-angle pole mount | 6 x M10 suspension points; dual 36mm pole sockets |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 105° x 60° |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 63Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| DSP | Yes | Yes, 12-band parametric EQ and dbx DriveRack |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, control via JBL Pro Connect app |
| Weight | 28.2 lbs (12.8 kg) | 30.2 lbs (13.7 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.08 | 3.10 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.89 | 5.69 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1930Hz |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Yamaha DXR8mkII (measured by the manufacturer) and JBL PRX908 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
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