Posted by Oli - Audio Expert at Music Gear Direct on 10th Jun 2025
Is This The Best Portable Touring Grade PA? – RCF NXL 14-A and Sub 15-AX
Is This The Best Portable Touring Grade PA?
Recently, we had the pleasure of stocking the RCF NXL 14-A and SUB 15-AX. Of course, once we had them delivered, we just HAD to take a listen for ourselves. In short, we were very impressed.
A Perfect Pairing
If you’re using the RCF NXL 14-A, then it’s time to unlock its full power with the RCF SUB AX Series. After all, matching your subwoofers to your tops is the key to better sound. Not only does this setup improve audio clarity, but it also boosts the bass—so your audience can feel every beat.
Best of all, setting it up is quick and simple. To start, connect your RCF NXL 14-A to a SUB AX. Then, use the user interface to select the factory-tuned crossover preset. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to go. Plus, extended FiRPHASE technology keeps the sub perfectly in phase—even at the lowest frequencies.
When it comes to options, you can choose between 15” and 18” models based on your needs. Each model features a powerful 2200-watt Class-D amplifier and high-output, long-excursion drivers that deliver bass up to 135 dB.
Even better, the SUB AX puts you in full control of your sound. It offers stereo crossovers, an 8-band EQ, adjustable delays, and Bluetooth® remote control—all through a sleek color touch panel. Thanks to this flexibility, you can easily fine-tune your setup for any venue.
Finally, the SUB AX stands up to life on the road. Its rugged build and cardioid configuration option make it ready for any live show. In short, it’s the perfect way to bring clean, powerful bass to every performance.
RCF NXL 14-A
Here's what RCF have to say about the RCF NXL 14-A:
"NXL 14-A is the most compact active speaker in the professional NXL series. It features two 6” woofers in a symmetrical configuration and the new 1.75” Precision Transducers PKX driver loaded on a rotatable TRW waveguide, all powered by a 2,100W two-channel amplifier. Available in black or white finish, the NXL 14-A is designed to deliver definition, power, and portability in any live application. Perfect for vocal reproduction, ideal in compact live systems paired with SUB Series subwoofers, in immersive setups, or as a fill speaker."
The RCF NXL 14-A sounds fantastic. As RCF themselves point out, it handles vocals exceptionally well — and I completely agree. One of the most impressive aspects is its superior projection compared to standard point-source speakers. That’s because RCF designed it smartly: two 6” woofers, a 1.75” voice coil, and an internal waveguide all work together to deliver clear, focused sound.
In addition to its audio performance, the NXL 14-A feels impressively lightweight. As a result, I can lift it onto a speaker pole much more easily than something like the RCF ART 9 series, which tends to be bulkier and heavier.
From my own experience, the RCF NXL 14-A delivers just the right amount of top end. It doesn’t sound harsh or tinny — on the contrary, it hits that “sweet spot” where the highs stay clear and present without becoming fatiguing. All in all, it’s powerful, portable, and RCF clearly built it to a high standard. They list it under both “Portable” and “Touring,” and I completely agree. Thanks to its thoughtful design, it’s easy to transport and tough enough to handle the demands of touring use.
RCF SUB 15-AX
Here's what RCF have to say about the SUB 15-AX:
"The SUB 15-AX is a portable 15" high-power active subwoofer for live sound applications with fully featured processing, a color touch panel, and remote control via Bluetooth®. The combination of a latest-generation transducer with a powerful Class-D amplifier delivers sound pressure levels up to 133 dB with exceptional clarity and headroom. SUB AX subwoofers are designed specifically for small to mid-sized venues and ideal for portable applications. SUB 15-AX is the ideal complement for 10" or 12" woofer-size loudspeakers; it centralizes speaker management inside the subwoofer, providing dual crossovers, 8-band EQs, routing, delays, cardioid configurations, and recallable crossover presets. The polyurea-coated all-wood cabinet features a sealed Powercon True1 Top connector."
The SUB 15-AX serves as the central hub of your system — it’s where all the intelligence lives. Right from the start, it pairs seamlessly with the RCF Live Remote app, giving you full control straight from your device. On top of that, it includes built-in digital crossover presets that make setup fast and straightforward.
When it comes to sound, the SUB 15-AX delivers punchy, clean bass with plenty of headroom. Even though subwoofers don’t always make a PA system louder, they definitely add the depth and energy that bring your sound to life. Thanks to ongoing advancements in active speaker and subwoofer technology, today’s systems perform more efficiently than ever. The SUB 15-AX proves this point — RCF designed it to capture the full power and presence of a live performance or DJ set, no matter the venue.
What Crossover Presets are Available on the SUB 15-AX?
Here is a list of the crossover presets available on the SUB 15-AX:
ART 9 Series
- 910-A
- 912-A
- 932-A
ART 7 Series
- 708-A MK5
- 710-A MK5
- 712-A MK5
- 732-A MK5
NX Series
- NX 910-A
- NX 912-A
- NX 932-A
NXL Series
- NXL 14-A
- NXL 24-A MK2
HD Series
- HD 10-A MK5
- HD 12-A MK5
RCF Live Remote
You can use the RCF LiveRemote App — the same app that works with the ART 9 AX — with the SUB AX-15 as well. With just a few taps, you can quickly access crossover preset selection, system EQ, delay adjustments, and individual crossover settings. Additionally, when you pair two subwoofer models, you can easily set them up for 2.2 operation.
As you can see from the screenshots I took, the crossover is set to NXL 14-A. Along with that, the screenshots also show the EQ section and the system setup section, giving you a clear view of how everything is configured.
RCF Live Remote Mixer / Edit Screen
RCF Live Remote System Setup Screen
What Makes RCF Stand Out?
In this section, I want to highlight a few key features that make RCF stand out — and by extension, help you stand out, too.
Bass Motion Control
When RCF set out to improve bass performance, their engineers took a fresh approach. Instead of relying on a traditional high-pass filter, they removed it and introduced something more advanced: BMC (Bass Motion Control) — a smarter way to manage woofer movement.
Speakers with BMC can handle extremely low frequencies while keeping the woofer stable. As a result, they improve linearity and maintain consistent sound quality.
So how does it work? BMC maps the woofer’s movement in real time, then creates a custom algorithm that limits only the most extreme motions. This way, the speaker reproduces sound freely and accurately. Traditional high-pass filters protect the woofer, but they can also introduce phase issues. In contrast, BMC protects the speaker without affecting the sound. That’s why both the RCF SUB 15-AX and RCF NXL 14-A come equipped with Bass Motion Control.
FiRPHASE
RCF also sets itself apart with its advanced digital FiR technology. This system delivers clear, transparent sound with accurate stereo imaging. Thanks to specially designed FiRPHASE filters, sound spreads evenly across the audience — not just to those standing in the sweet spot. Moreover, these filters prevent phase distortion and keep system latency extremely low. Altogether, FiRPHASE plays a major role in why RCF speakers sound so clean and natural, even at high volumes.
Designed and Built in Italy
RCF is one of the few brands that still builds its speakers in-house. Their factory, located in Reggio Emilia, Italy, handles the entire RCF operation under one roof.
Final Thoughts
All in all, it’s clear that I’m a big fan of the RCF NXL 14-A and SUB 15-AX. In my opinion, pairing the NXL 14-A with the SUB 15-AX creates a fantastic, portable, and powerful PA system. What’s more, the high-spec build and touring-grade materials make it even better.
As soon as we tested the system in the Music Gear Direct demo room, I was impressed. The factory-tuned crossover made setup incredibly easy and allowed the system to run at peak efficiency.
Don't see exactly what you're looking for? We can help! Call myself (Oli), or Richard at the store on 01159383892 Mon - Fri 9:30am to 4pm / Sat 10am to 2pm or send us a message here.
FAQs
Here, I answer a few questions that you might have about the RCF NXL 14-A and the SUB 15-AX
Can I use the RCF NXL 14-A without a subwoofer?
Yes, you can definitely run the RCF NXL 14-A without a subwoofer. In fact, I tried it myself. Honestly, it sounds good on its own, and I was still able to crank it up pretty loud without any issues.
That said, I did notice that it really performs best when you pair it with a subwoofer. While it does produce some low end, it doesn’t generate a lot of it. So, if you’re using it for a vocal-only PA, it works absolutely fine. Likewise, it handles playback music or a vocal-and-guitar setup without any trouble.
However, once you start adding drums — especially kick and toms — or bass-heavy sources like synths and bass guitars, you’ll definitely want to add a subwoofer to fill out the bottom end. Overall, the NXL 14-A holds its own, but it really shines when you complete the system with a sub.
Is there an 18" Subwoofer available?
Yes, RCF also make the RCF SUB 18-AX, which includes more factory tuned digital crossover presets. For a full list click here.
Are there covers availble for the RCF NXL 14-A?
Yes, click here to view the RCF NXL-14A covers.