Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Treme for the higher ranking, the Polk T50 for the lower price. The GR-Research NX-Treme ranks #1 of 25 floorstanding speakers at $9662. The Polk T50 ranks #21 at $249, $9413 cheaper.
What the GR-Research NX-Treme gets right: Amazing in terms of soundstage and imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not. The tradeoff: Very tall and will require GR-Research open baffle subwoofers one on each side.
On the Polk T50 side: Pretty deep bass for the price. Set against that: 5dB peak at 1khz, 4dB bright top end from 11khz on up.
One note: the Polk T50 is discontinued, but it still ranks #21 of 25 floorstanding speakers, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Treme if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Polk T50 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research NX-Treme | Polk T50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9662 for the kit with subs (assembly required) | $249.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 25 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #21 of 25 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <20hz (With GR-Research open baffle subwoofers) | 47Hz |
| Dimensions | 85"H x 17"W x 20"D (2159 x 431.8 x 508 mm) (plus a subwoofer on each side) | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Drivers | Eight 6.5" M165 open baffle woofer, Two 6.5" M165NQ open baffle midrange, GR Neo 3 Magnetic planar open baffle tweeter | 2x 6.5" bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1" Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8" passive bass radiators |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB | - |
| Subwoofer | Three 12" Rythmik Audio servo controlled | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | Open baffle | - |
| Weight | (35.3 lbs / 16 kg) | 75.4 lbs / 34.2 kg |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38Hz |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
GR-Research NX-Treme: $9662 for the kit with subs (assembly required) Gr-research
Pros: Amazing in terms of soundstage and imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not being a speaker box. One of the highest sensitivity speakers around. Open baffle mids, highs and bass (using GR-Research Open baffle subs). If you have not heard open baffle bass, you must hear it in person, there’s no going back. Amazing in terms of imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not being a speaker box. Can easily be driven by tube amps due to the mild impedance.
Cons: Very tall and will require GR-Research open baffle subwoofers one on each side
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <20hz (With GR-Research open baffle subwoofers) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 85"H x 17"W x 20"D (2159 x 431.8 x 508 mm) (plus a subwoofer on each side) |
| Drivers | Eight 6.5" M165 open baffle woofer, Two 6.5" M165NQ open baffle midrange, GR Neo 3 Magnetic planar open baffle tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB |
| Subwoofer | Three 12" Rythmik Audio servo controlled |
| Weight | (35.3 lbs / 16 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Open baffle |
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Polk T50: $249.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Pretty deep bass for the price. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled outside a narrow spike around 250Hz. The reviewer notes performance is “not too bad for a budget speaker” once the two main tonal issues are addressed with EQ.
Cons: 5dB peak at 1khz, 4dB bright top end from 11khz on up. Just okay vertical off axis. Impedance and phase show several resonances between 200Hz-1kHz, with a minimum impedance of 4.2 ohms. Distortion rises substantially at 96dB SPL/1m across the midrange, with repeated peaks between 100Hz-2kHz. Discontinued.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1" Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8" passive bass radiators |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs / 34.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Buy Used
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.