Short answer: the Yamaha DZR12 if sound quality matters most, the PreSonus ULT12 if price matters most. The Yamaha DZR12 ranks #16 of 37 12-inch two-way powered pa speakers at $1198.49. The PreSonus ULT12 ranks #37 at $500, $698.49 cheaper.
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 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 DZR12 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the PreSonus ULT12 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the PreSonus ULT12. 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 | PreSonus ULT12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,198.49 | $500.00 |
| Ranked | #16 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, 2" compression driver | 12" woofer, compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) | Not published by PreSonus in the current product specifications |
| Dimensions | 25.4"H x 16.1"W x 15.5"D (646 x 410 x 394 mm) | 25.2"H x 14"W x 13.9"D (641 x 356 x 353 mm) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) | 60Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 110° x 50° |
| Maximum SPL | 139dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR/TRS combo | 2 x XLR/TRS combo |
| Amplifier Power | 2000W dynamic / 1100W burst / 950W continuous | 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 | Plywood with polyurea coating | 15mm eucalyptus plywood |
| Rigging | M10 points; dual 35mm pole mounts | M10 suspension points; two-position 35mm pole socket |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Weight | 47.2 lbs (21.4 kg) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.95 | 0.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.22 | 2.75 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Yamaha DZR12 compares with other leading options:
- QSC K12.2 vs Yamaha DZR12
- KV2 Audio EX12 vs Yamaha DZR12
- JBL PRX912 vs Yamaha DZR12
- RCF KX 32-A vs Yamaha DZR12
- RCF ART 932-A vs Yamaha DZR12
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
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