Short answer: a difficult pair, since both are bright. The Polk Monitor XT20 is a two-way with a 1 inch tweeter and 6.5 inch woofer whose treble is elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange, a trait shared across the XT lineup that needs EQ or toe-out. The Behringer B2030P answers with strong horizontal directivity control from its CEA2034 spinorama, but a resonance around 800Hz and a near-horizontal in-room response that sounds bright without EQ.
Buy the Polk Monitor XT20, since the Behringer B2030P is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Behringer B2030P | Polk Monitor XT20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $220 per pair Discontinued | $279.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #80 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #93 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Drivers | 6.75” woofer, 0.75” ferrofluid-cooled tweeter | 6.5” bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1” Terylene dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12.5H x 8.4W x 8.3D in | 13”H x 7.5”W x 11”D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Handling | up to 100W | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, vertical slot | ported |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.30 | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 | 7.07 |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Behringer B2030P: $220 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows strong horizontal directivity control, keeping the response nearly constant off-axis through most of the audible spectrum, with a wide beamwidth that eases seating position and toe-in requirements. Distortion measurements hold up well against the pricier Revel M106 at both 86dB and 106dB SPL. With EQ to tame a resonance around 800Hz and a bit of a bass fill, the reviewer called it a “winner” that could play loud without bottoming out. Measured bass extension of 98.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.5dB.
Cons: A resonance around 800Hz shows up clearly in the on-axis response and the waterfall/CSD plot, and the flat, near-horizontal predicted in-room response makes it sound bright without an equalization target curve. Vertical directivity is only typical, not exceptional. Long discontinued: the reviewer noted you’ll have to hunt for a used pair.
Full Behringer B2030P review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 98.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.5H x 8.4W x 8.3D in |
| Drivers | 6.75” woofer, 0.75” ferrofluid-cooled tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | up to 100W |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, vertical slot |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Polk Monitor XT20: $279.00 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Two-way bookshelf design with a 1” tweeter and 6.5” woofer, part of Polk’s budget-friendly XT lineup (spanning roughly $200-700 across the series). Measures more linear and has fewer/smaller cabinet resonances than its smaller sibling, the XT15, making it (by the reviewer’s own assessment) probably the better of the two based on data alone. Reasonably good bass output for the price and size, with an F3 of 63Hz. Horizontal radiation of about ±50° gives a respectable, enjoyable soundstage width. Takes well to EQ correction: the early-reflections directivity trend is decently linear, meaning tonal adjustments can meaningfully improve the sound. Provides usable, respectable volume when paired with a subwoofer crossover, even though it isn’t intended to play extremely loud on its own. Measured bass extension of 64.5Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: Notably bright treble, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange depending on frequency: a characteristic shared across the whole Polk XT lineup, requiring either EQ or toe-out to tame. Small resonances appear around 300Hz and 800Hz, with some of that energy leaking from the port area. Vertical listening window is narrow: best kept close to the tweeter axis, with only a couple of degrees of tolerance above or below before the sound changes. Still needs a subwoofer for real low-end extension despite the decent F3. Overall linearity isn’t state-of-the-art flat, and while the reviewer found it pleasant, some artificial brightness remains even after basic EQ correction in the crossover region.
Full Polk Monitor XT20 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13”H x 7.5”W x 11”D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1” Terylene dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.07 |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Polk’s new budget XT Speakers. Reviewed! More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Polk Monitor XT20
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 10 Great (and Terrible) Speakers Under $300!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Budget Stereo Systems You Will Love
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
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