Short answer: the Yamaha DZR12. It ranks #16 of 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers by sound quality; the Martin Audio XP12 ranks #30.
What the Yamaha DZR12 offers: Premium cabinet construction, 139dB claimed output and deep onboard 96kHz DSP suit demanding live work. The local vendor data shows useful 48Hz measured extension, the deepest result among the scored Yamaha models here. Watch for: Its medium-quality vendor measurement produces only a 4.22 ideal-subwoofer preference score, so the price buys output, processing and build more than neutral tonality. It is heavy at roughly 21kg and has no Bluetooth audio.
What the Martin Audio XP12 offers: The vendor Spinorama data gives it a 4.92 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 56Hz bass extension. A three-channel mixer, channel EQ, 80° x 50° rotatable horn and 18kg plywood cabinet make it unusually versatile. Watch for: The Spinorama source has unknown quality, limiting confidence in the score. Its 128dB claimed peak output is modest for this category, and Bluetooth requires an optional control/streaming module rather than being standard.
Buy the Yamaha DZR12 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Martin Audio XP12 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Martin Audio XP12. It ranks near the bottom of the 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha DZR12 | Martin Audio XP12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,198.49 | - |
| Ranked | #16 of 37 in 12-Inch Two-Way Powered PA Speakers | #30 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, 2" compression driver | 12" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | 62Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 50Hz (-10dB) |
| Dimensions | 25.4"H x 16.1"W x 15.5"D (646 x 410 x 394 mm) | 22.6"H x 14.1"W x 12.5"D (574 x 358 x 318 mm) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 61.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 80° x 50°, rotatable |
| Maximum SPL | 139dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo | 2 x XLR/TRS combo plus mix output |
| Amplifier Power | 2000W dynamic / 1100W burst / 950W continuous | 1,300W peak (1,000W LF + 300W HF, manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz (FIR-X) | 2.3kHz active (24dB/octave) |
| Cabinet Material | Plywood with polyurea coating | Multi-angle birch/poplar plywood |
| Rigging | M10 points; dual 35mm pole mounts | 17 M8 inserts; pole-mount socket |
| DSP | Yes | Yes, 3-channel mixer, channel EQ and voicing presets |
| Bluetooth | No | Optional control and audio module |
| Weight | 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg) | 39.7 lbs (18 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.95 | 2.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.22 | 4.92 |
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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 DZR12: $1,198.49 Amazon B&H Photo Video Guitar Center eBay
Pros: Premium cabinet construction, 139dB claimed output and deep onboard 96kHz DSP suit demanding live work. The local vendor data shows useful 48Hz measured extension, the deepest result among the scored Yamaha models here. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its medium-quality vendor measurement produces only a 4.22 ideal-subwoofer preference score, so the price buys output, processing and build more than neutral tonality. It is heavy at roughly 21kg and has no Bluetooth audio.
Full Yamaha DZR12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2000W dynamic / 1100W burst / 950W continuous |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Cabinet Material | Plywood with polyurea coating |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz (FIR-X) |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25.4"H x 16.1"W x 15.5"D (646 x 410 x 394 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, 2" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| Maximum SPL | 139dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | M10 points; dual 35mm pole mounts |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.95 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.22 |
| Weight | 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Martin Audio XP12 eBay
Pros: The vendor Spinorama data gives it a 4.92 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 56Hz bass extension. A three-channel mixer, channel EQ, 80° x 50° rotatable horn and 18kg plywood cabinet make it unusually versatile. Measured bass extension of 61.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The Spinorama source has unknown quality, limiting confidence in the score. Its 128dB claimed peak output is modest for this category, and Bluetooth requires an optional control/streaming module rather than being standard.
Full Martin Audio XP12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1,300W peak (1,000W LF + 300W HF, manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61.5Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | Optional control and audio module |
| Cabinet Material | Multi-angle birch/poplar plywood |
| Configuration | Active 2-way bass-reflex PA speaker |
| Coverage | 80° x 50°, rotatable |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.3kHz active (24dB/octave) |
| DSP | Yes, 3-channel mixer, channel EQ and voicing presets |
| Dimensions | 22.6"H x 14.1"W x 12.5"D (574 x 358 x 318 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 62Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); 50Hz (-10dB) |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo plus mix output |
| Maximum SPL | 128dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Rigging | 17 M8 inserts; pole-mount socket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.92 |
| Weight | 39.7 lbs (18 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Martin Audio XP12 vs LD Systems Stinger 12 A G3
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- Martin Audio XP12 vs RCF ART 732-A MK4
- Martin Audio XP12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK5
- Martin Audio XP12 vs RCF ART 712-A MK4
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