Meyer Sound ULTRA-X42-3 2x8" 2-Way Active Speaker, 3-Pin Input - 09.294.001.04 is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Product Overview
The Meyer Sound ULTRA-X42-3 is a compact self-powered point-source loudspeaker engineered for controlled, focused coverage in high-output sound reinforcement. Its rotatable 70° x 50° Constant-Q horn delivers a tighter pattern than the wide-coverage ULTRA-X40, making it well suited to auditoriums, houses of worship, multi-purpose rooms, and longer-throw applications. Two 8-inch low-frequency cone drivers and a 3-inch compression driver produce high SPL with low distortion in a single trapezoidal enclosure. This 3-pin input model accepts a standard balanced analog signal for integration into installed and portable AV systems.
Product Description

The ULTRA-X42-3 shares its amplifier, transducers, and enclosure with the ULTRA-X40 but is fitted with a narrower 70° x 50° horn for more controlled coverage. A proprietary three-channel Class-D amplifier produces 1950 watts peak, and onboard processing handles electronic crossover, phase and frequency correction, and driver protection. The concentric driver configuration provides coaxial behavior with directional control extending down to 400 Hz, and the rotatable horn allows the cabinet to be deployed in horizontal or vertical orientation without changing the coverage pattern. For broader coverage, the Meyer Sound ULTRA-X40 offers a 110° x 50° horn. To extend low-frequency output, pair it with the Meyer Sound 750-LFC powered subwoofer. Additional Meyer Sound loudspeakers are available in the Meyer Sound collection. The cabinet integrates 11 M8 rigging points plus a 35 mm pole mount with M20 thread for flexible installation.
Key Features
- Controlled Coverage Pattern — A rotatable 70° x 50° Constant-Q horn delivers focused, even coverage for longer-throw and pattern-critical applications.
- Two-Way Active Design — Two 8-inch cone low-frequency drivers and one 3-inch diaphragm compression driver provide full-range output from a single compact enclosure.
- Self-Powered Amplification — An onboard three-channel Class-D amplifier produces 1950 watts peak with total harmonic distortion below 0.02 percent.
- High Output — Maximum SPL of 140 dB supports demanding speech and music reinforcement.
- Concentric Driver Configuration — The coaxial-style driver arrangement supports directional control of frequencies down to 400 Hz for consistent polar response.
- Intelligent AC Power — Automatic voltage selection across 90 to 265 V AC with EMI filtering, transient suppression, and soft-start power-up.
- 3-Pin Analog Input — XLR 3-pin female input with male loop output for straightforward signal distribution across multiple cabinets.
- Integrated Rigging — Eleven M8 threaded points and a 35 mm pole mount with M20 thread accommodate pole, yoke, U-bracket, and cluster mounting.
Typical Applications
- Auditorium — The controlled pattern places energy on the audience while limiting reflections off side walls.
- House of Worship — Delivers focused vocal and music reinforcement for deeper rooms and balcony coverage.
- Multi-Purpose Room — The compact enclosure and rotatable horn adapt to changing event configurations.
- All-Hands Room — Reinforces presentations and live audio in large corporate gathering spaces.
- Government Space — Suits council chambers and public meeting facilities requiring controlled speech intelligibility.
- Training Room — Supports clear program audio for instructional and learning environments.
Technical Specifications
| Operating Frequency Range | 55 Hz – 19.5 kHz |
| Frequency Response | 58 Hz – 18 kHz ±4 dB |
| Phase Response | 90 Hz – 19.5 kHz ±45° |
| Maximum SPL | 140 dB |
| Linear Peak SPL | 134 dB with 18.5 dB crest factor (M-noise) |
| Coverage | Rotatable horn: 70° x 50° |
| Low Frequency | Two 8-inch cone drivers; 4 Ω nominal impedance |
| High Frequency | One 3-inch diaphragm compression driver; 8 Ω nominal impedance |
| Amplifier Type | Three-channel, Class-D |
| Total Output Power | 1950 W peak |
| THD, IM, TIM | <0.02% |
| Audio Input | XLR 3-pin female input with male loop output |
| AC Power | powerCON 20 input with loop output; 90–265 V AC, 50–60 Hz |
| Dimensions | 12.51 in (318 mm) W x 22.31 in (567 mm) H x 14 in (356 mm) D |
| Weight | 52 lb (23.6 kg) |
| Rigging | 11 integrated M8 points; 35 mm pole mount with M20 thread |
Specifications sourced from Meyer Sound. Subject to change without notice.
Competitor Comparison
| Criteria | Meyer Sound ULTRA-X42-3 | L-Acoustics X8 | d&b audiotechnik E8 |
| Configuration | The ULTRA-X42-3 is a two-way design with two 8-inch low-frequency drivers and a 3-inch compression driver. | The X8 is a two-way coaxial design built around a single 8-inch low-frequency driver. | The E8 is a two-way passive design with an 8-inch low-frequency driver and a 1-inch compression driver. |
| Amplification | The ULTRA-X42-3 is self-powered with an onboard three-channel Class-D amplifier rated at 1950 watts peak. | The X8 is a passive loudspeaker that requires an external L-Acoustics amplified controller. | The E8 is a passive loudspeaker that requires an external d&b amplifier. |
| Coverage | The ULTRA-X42-3 uses a rotatable 70° x 50° Constant-Q horn for controlled, orientation-independent coverage. | The X8 provides a 100° x 100° coverage pattern. | The E8 provides a fixed 100° x 100° coverage pattern. |
| Driver Topology | The ULTRA-X42-3 uses a concentric driver configuration with directional control down to 400 Hz. | The X8 employs a coaxial driver mounted in a single enclosure. | The E8 uses a conventional non-coaxial two-way driver layout. |
| Maximum SPL | The ULTRA-X42-3 reaches a maximum SPL of 140 dB measured in free-field. | The X8 maximum output depends on the driving amplified controller. | The E8 maximum output depends on the driving d&b amplifier. |
| Monitoring | The ULTRA-X42-3 supports the optional RMS remote monitoring system over Compass software. | The X8 relies on amplifier-side monitoring through the controlling platform. | The E8 relies on amplifier-side monitoring through the d&b platform. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the ULTRA-X42 and the ULTRA-X40?
The ULTRA-X42 uses a more controlled 70° x 50° horn for focused coverage, while the ULTRA-X40 uses a wider 110° x 50° horn. Both share the same amplifier, transducers, and enclosure.
What does the -3 suffix indicate?
It denotes the standard 3-pin analog input configuration, which accepts a balanced audio signal through an XLR 3-pin connector.
Does this model require an external amplifier?
No. The ULTRA-X42-3 is self-powered with an onboard three-channel Class-D amplifier rated at 1950 watts peak.
Can the horn orientation be changed?
Yes. The horn is rotatable, allowing the cabinet to be deployed horizontally or vertically while maintaining its coverage pattern.
Is this loudspeaker covered by a warranty?
Yes. This product is covered under Meyer Sound's standard product warranty. For details, please contact us.
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- Most in-stock orders placed Monday-Friday ship within 24-48 hours. General restrictions apply; please see our full shipping policy here.
- We offer a 30-day return policy from the delivery date on many products. Product restrictions apply. Restocking fees for the return of open-box items. Please see our full return policy here for more information.
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