Short answer: the Polk Monitor XT20 on price, the HiVi Swans mod on measured smoothness. The XT20 is a two-way bookshelf with a 1” tweeter and 6.5” woofer, but its treble is notably bright, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange, a trait shared across the whole Polk XT line. The HiVi Swans 3.1A mod’s CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly smooth on-axis response for a DIY three-way kit, though some directivity error appears around 2.1kHz on-axis.
On the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod side: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly smooth on-axis response for a DIY three-way kit. The tradeoff: Some directivity error appears around 2.1kHz on-axis.
The case for the Polk Monitor XT20: Two-way bookshelf design with a 1” tweeter and 6.5” woofer. The tradeoff: Notably bright treble, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange depending on frequency - a characteristic shared across the whole Polk XT.
Buy the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $85.99 saving on the Polk Monitor XT20 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod | Polk Monitor XT20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $364.99 per pair for the kit (assembly required) | $279.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #61 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #90 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 75Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Kevlar woofer, 2" Dome midrange, 1" Soft Dome tweeter | 6.5" bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1" Terylene dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 86dB (measured by Erin's Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 8.5"W x 13"D (420.0 x 215.0 x 330.0 mm) | 13"H x 7.5"W x 11"D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.8 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) | 3.79 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.6 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) | 6.16 |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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The Two Speakers In Full
HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod: $364.99 per pair for the kit (assembly required) Amazon eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly smooth on-axis response for a DIY three-way kit. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±70 degrees is wide and consistent. Distortion stays under control down to 40Hz at 96dB SPL/1m, a strong result for a 6.5” woofer in this class. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
Cons: Some directivity error appears around 2.1kHz on-axis. Predicted in-room response needs about 1-2dB of correction to fit an ideal target curve. Vertical directivity is just okay, so listening height matters more than with a coincident design. Minimum impedance dips to 3.8 ohms with several peaks, a moderately demanding load. Requires DIY assembly (kit only), with additional Sehlin-mod parts and labor beyond the base kit price.
Full HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 8.5"W x 13"D (420.0 x 215.0 x 330.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Kevlar woofer, 2" Dome midrange, 1" Soft Dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.8 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.6 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs Klipsch RP-600M II
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- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs KEF R3 Meta
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs AsciLab C6B
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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 75Hz (-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) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (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 | 3.79 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.16 |
| 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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