PreSonus CDL12 Review: Rated 3.3/5

The PreSonus CDL12 is rated 3.3/5 for sound quality, #56 of 83 12-Inch PA Speakers. See all PA & Live Sound rankings for every top pick.

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Brand: PreSonus

#56 PreSonus CDL12: $1,999.95 Discontinued eBay

Newer model: the PreSonus CDL12P, ranked higher, estimated 3.5/5, released Oct 2020. See every PreSonus CDL12 generation.

Pros: A powered 12 inch PA speaker with a column of tweeters for controlled coverage, designed to scale up into flown arrays. Its constant-directivity high-frequency array is designed for controlled coverage and scalable deployments rather than a conventional single horn. The medium-quality vendor data provides a 4.79 ideal-subwoofer preference score and 58Hz measured extension. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-3dB).

Cons: This is a specialized, heavier cabinet whose rigging and array behavior add complexity for ordinary portable-PA buyers. The measured tonal score is modest, and availability is less consistent than the mainstream QSC, JBL, Yamaha and RCF choices. Discontinued.

Is the PreSonus CDL12 right for you?

Skip it if

• you want neutral sound: its measured preference score is 4.8 even with a subwoofer.
• you want to buy it new: it is discontinued.

Released	Sep 2018 (8 years ago)
AES Input	No
Amplifier Power	2,000W peak / 500W RMS (1,000W peak / 250W RMS per band, manufacturer specified)
Aux Input	No
Bass Extension (-3dB)	58Hz (measured, vendor Spinorama data)
Bluetooth	No
Cabinet Material	15mm eucalyptus plywood
Coaxial Input	No
Configuration	Active 2-way constant-directivity PA speaker
Coverage	120° x 20° per enclosure (-6dB)
Crossover Frequency	420Hz (manufacturer specified)
DSP	Yes
Dimensions	18.6”H x 20.8”W x 17.5”D (473 x 529 x 444.5 mm)
Drivers	12” woofer, eight 2” high-frequency drivers
Guitar Input	No
HDMI Input	No
Inputs	XLR input and direct XLR line output
Maximum SPL	131dB peak
Microphone Input	No
Network Control	Worx Control remote control (compression, polarity, limiting, delay, EQ and presets)
Optical Input	No
Passive	No
RCA Input	No
Rigging	Integrated array rigging; dual-position 35mm pole mount
Spinorama Preference Score	2.20
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub	4.79
TRS Input	No
USB Input	No
Weight	65 lbs (29.5 kg)
XLR Input	Yes

• Links
  • PreSonus CDL12 Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Spinorama Measurements

Frequency Response

How the PreSonus CDL12 measures across the audible range. A flatter listening window (the sound arriving straight at you) is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. The estimated in-room response adds what a typical room does, and there a gentle, even tilt down toward the treble is ideal. Both curves are shifted so their 300 Hz to 3 kHz average sits at 0 dB.

Listening windowEstimated in-room response

Measurement data: spinorama.org, measured by the manufacturer.

EQ for a Neutral Response

Head-to-Head Comparisons

7 comparisons

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