Short answer: the Focal Aria 906 for better sound quality, the Polk Reserve R100 for the lower price. The Focal Aria 906 ranks #67 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $2199. The Polk Reserve R100 ranks #70 at $649, $1550 cheaper.
On the Focal Aria 906 side: CEA2034 spinorama shows very flat bass response, with the reviewer rating overall performance “good.” Predicted in-room response is almost perfect prior to 1kHz. Set against that: 3dB dip around 2.8khz.
The case for the Polk Reserve R100: Compact cabinet, unusually useful bass for its size and well-controlled woofer breakup. The tradeoff: 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 Focal Aria 906 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Polk Reserve R100 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Aria 906 | Polk Reserve R100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,199.00 used, Discontinued | $649/pair |
| Ranked | #67 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #70 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.8 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 3.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 26mm tweeter + 165mm mid-woofer | 1" Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter; 5.25" Turbine Cone midwoofer |
| Weight | 39.9 lbs / 18.1 kg | 12.2 lb each |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 15.4"H x 8.9"W x 11"D (390.0 x 225.0 x 280.0 mm) | 12.8"H x 6.5"W x 10.2"D |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear X-Port |
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- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs JBL XPL-90
- MoFi SourcePoint 8 vs Polk R200
- Focal Aria 906 vs Revel Performa M22
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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Aria 906: $2,199.00 used, Discontinued Amazon
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows very flat bass response, with the reviewer rating overall performance “good.” Predicted in-room response is almost perfect prior to 1kHz. Horizontal dispersion of about ±60 degrees is good and stays even out to about -12dB before getting erratic. Woofer distortion is quite low at 86dB SPL/1m.
Cons: 3dB dip around 2.8khz. Some resonance around 800hz, small directivity error around 7khz. A dip in the upper midrange also shows up in the predicted in-room response. Distortion becomes problematic at 96dB SPL/1m, with a notable peak around 1.3-1.5kHz alongside broader midrange elevation. Discontinued.
Full Focal Aria 906 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.4"H x 8.9"W x 11"D (390.0 x 225.0 x 280.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 26mm tweeter + 165mm mid-woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.8 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 39.9 lbs / 18.1 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Reserve R100: $649/pair Amazon Polk Audio
Pros: Compact cabinet, unusually useful bass for its size and well-controlled woofer breakup. Erin measured F3/F10 points of 68Hz/49Hz, and the X-Port vent avoids much of the chuffing and pipe resonance common to budget rear ports. The 5.25-inch Turbine Cone woofer and 1-inch Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter produce good detail at moderate levels, while listening roughly 20° off-axis reduces part of the elevated top octave.
Cons: Erin measured only about 85dB sensitivity and the impedance reaches 3.6 ohms, so it is neither efficient nor an entirely benign AVR load. The treble runs roughly 3dB above the midrange and becomes aggressive above about 85dB SPL. A directivity discontinuity through the woofer/tweeter crossover means EQ cannot fully repair the power response, and a 400Hz impedance feature plus 500Hz-1kHz response irregularity suggests a cabinet or system resonance. Substantial low-frequency compression at higher playback levels limits clean dynamics.
Full Polk Reserve R100 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12.8"H x 6.5"W x 10.2"D |
| Drivers | 1" Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter; 5.25" Turbine Cone midwoofer |
| Impedance | 3.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12.2 lb each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear X-Port |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Polk R200
- Polk Reserve R100 vs JBL XPL-90
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Emotiva Airmotiv B2+
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Revel Performa M22
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Polk Monitor XT20
- Polk Reserve R100 vs KEF Q3 Meta
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