Short answer: the ELAC DBR62. It ranks #79 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $699.98. The Polk Monitor XT20 ranks #157, rated 3.4/5, at $277.50, $422.48 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The ELAC DBR62 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. An affordable bookshelf speaker that is very forgiving of placement and aiming, with wide sound and a little extra bass punch. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 3dB, against 64.5Hz for the Polk Monitor XT20. Watch for: A slight recess in the 1-2kHz region reduces vocal presence somewhat compared to other speakers in direct comparison.
The case for the Polk Monitor XT20: Budget bookshelf speakers with good bass for their size and a fairly wide soundstage. The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the ELAC DBR62. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $422.48 you would save on the Polk Monitor XT20 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the ELAC DBR62 reaches 53 Hz (3 dB down) against 64.5 Hz for the Polk Monitor XT20, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Close enough not to matter: preference score with a subwoofer (7.3 vs 7.1).
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Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC DBR62 | Polk Monitor XT20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.98 per pair | $277.50 per pair |
| Ranked | #79 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #157 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.2”W x 10.8”D (358.1 x 208.3 x 274.3 mm) | 13”H x 7.5”W x 11”D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.3dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Aramid Fiber woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter | 6.5” bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1” Terylene dome tweeter |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.27 | 7.07 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- ELAC DBR62: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and Audio Science Review.
- Polk Monitor XT20: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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