Short answer: the Polk T15, if you are buying new. The Boston Acoustics A25 ranks higher than it (#59 vs #153 of 168 bookshelf speakers, 3.6/5 vs 1.9/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Polk T15 is still sold new at $149.
The Boston Acoustics A25 is the more accurate pick. CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz: directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.53 against 0.34 for the Polk T15. The catch: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip.
What the Polk T15 does well: Extremely affordable 2-way design that actually measured better at +/-20 degrees vertical off-axis than directly on-axis. The tradeoff: Spinorama analysis reveals what Amir called a “horrific drop in upper mids/lower treble region of 3 to 6 kHz,” likely from tweeter-woofer phase cancellation directly on-axis.
Buy the Polk T15 if you want one new; the Boston Acoustics A25 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Boston Acoustics A25 | Polk T15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.98 per pair Discontinued | $149.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #59 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #153 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 88.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 58.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1” Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25” ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer | 0.75” tweeter, 5.25” woofer |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in | 10.63H x 6.5W x 7.25D in |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) each | 8.2 lbs (3.74 kg) each |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 1W/1m); 88.98dB measured, spinorama.org |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.53 | 0.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.19 | 3.39 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Boston Acoustics A25: $299.98 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz: directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Cabinet fit and finish is well above its price class, and dynamics were strong with no distortion audible even at high volume on well-recorded material. Discontinued, but the reviewer suggests hunting for clearance pricing on remaining stock. Measured bass extension of 90Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip. The rear port itself measured audibly distorted up close, though it wasn’t noticeable from normal listening distance in the reviewer’s room. Discontinued.
Full Boston Acoustics A25 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in |
| Drivers | 1” Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25” ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.19 |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Polk T15: $149.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk T50 (floorstanding, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Extremely affordable 2-way design that actually measured better at +/-20 degrees vertical off-axis than directly on-axis. In near-field desktop use, the reviewer found the T15 “didn’t sound that horrible,” partly because nearby desk reflections mask the frequency response dip. Measured bass extension of 88.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89dB.
Cons: Spinorama analysis reveals what Amir called a “horrific drop in upper mids/lower treble region of 3 to 6 kHz,” likely from tweeter-woofer phase cancellation directly on-axis. Measured impedance ranges from 4-8 ohms, contradicting the specified 6-8 ohm range, and there’s a distortion peak around 400Hz. On- and off-axis response “vary a ton,” making listening position unusually important. The reviewer recommends saving up for the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR instead: “I can’t justify recommending the Polk T15 even though subjective performance was not horrible.”
Full Polk T15 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.63H x 6.5W x 7.25D in |
| Drivers | 0.75” tweeter, 5.25” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 1W/1m); 88.98dB measured, spinorama.org |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.39 |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.74 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons