Short answer: the HSU Research MFL-6. It ranks #166 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $558; the Polk R200 ranks #178, rated 3.2/5, and costs $799, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the HSU Research MFL-6: An affordable high output bookshelf speaker with a horn loaded tweeter, easy to drive, that can sit on a wall, stand or sideways. The tradeoff: Its response deviation is substantial and the horn narrows dispersion, so tonal balance and seating coverage are less even than the best conventional monitors.
The Polk R200 is the more accurate pick. A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.09 against 2.63 for the HSU Research MFL-6. The catch: A resonance and associated distortion increase around 800Hz-1kHz creates a “tinny,” occasionally glaring quality on certain instruments and vocals, confirmed both by ear and in the frequency-response and distortion measurements.
Buy the HSU Research MFL-6. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk R200 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research MFL-6 | Polk R200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $558 per pair | $799.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #166 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #178 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Enclosure | 2-way bass reflex | - |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter, 6.5” paper-cone woofer | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz-20kHz +/-2dB | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16H x 8W x 6.25-10.375D in | 14.1”H x 7.5”W x 13.9”D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 31.3 lbs (14.2 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.63 | 5.09 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.77 | 7.61 |
| Sensitivity | 85.6dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, spinorama.org) | 85dB |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 74Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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