Short answer: the AsciLab C6B. It ranks #6 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.7/5, at $1,145. The Polk Reserve R100 ranks #160, rated 3.4/5, at $699, $446 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The AsciLab C6B is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Bookshelf speakers with very accurate sound and an unusually wide, stable soundstage, for any seating position. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.33 against 5.46 for the Polk Reserve R100. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the Polk Reserve R100. The tradeoff: Bass rolls off around 50Hz in-room (F3 54Hz, F10 35Hz), so a subwoofer is needed for real extension below that.
What the Polk Reserve R100 does well: Compact bookshelf speakers with unusually useful bass for their size and a vent that avoids port noise. The catch: Erin measured only about 85dB sensitivity and the impedance reaches 3.6 ohms, so it is neither efficient nor an entirely benign AVR load.
Buy the AsciLab C6B. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $446 you would save on the Polk Reserve R100 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Bookshelf speakers with very accurate sound and an unusually wide, stable soundstage, for any seating position.
Compact bookshelf speakers with unusually useful bass for their size and a vent that avoids port noise.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AsciLab C6B | Polk Reserve R100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1145 per pair | $699.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #6 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #160 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 10.4”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 264.2 mm) | 12.8”H x 6.5”W x 10.2”D |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 2.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 3.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.6dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6” Aluminium Ceramic Cone with cast Aluminium Chassis woofer, 1” Aluminium Ceramic Dome tweeter | 1” Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter; 5.25” Turbine Cone midwoofer |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported, rear X-Port |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.33 | 5.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.28 | 7.93 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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