Short answer: the Infinity IL10, unless you want the Polk Monitor XT20’s budget two-way package. The IL10 is impressively flat for a budget bookshelf but shows resonances at 600 and 5kHz that become distortion spikes at 96dB SPL/1m. The Polk pairs a 1-inch tweeter with a 6.5-inch woofer, yet its treble runs roughly 1-5dB above the midrange and needs EQ or toe-out to tame.
Buy the Polk Monitor XT20, since the Infinity IL10 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Infinity IL10 | Polk Monitor XT20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $160 per pair used, Discontinued | $279.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #87 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #93 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer | 6.5” bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1” Terylene dome tweeter |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 15.6”H x 8.5”W x 11.5”D (397.0 x 216.0 x 292.0 mm) | 13”H x 7.5”W x 11”D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.98 (spinorama.org) | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 (spinorama.org) | 7.07 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Infinity IL10 compares with other leading options:
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Infinity IL10
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 vs Infinity IL10
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Infinity IL10
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Infinity IL10
- Dynaudio Emit 20 vs Infinity IL10
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Infinity IL10: $160 per pair used Discontinued eBay
Pros: Impressively flat for a budget bookshelf. Predicted in-room response is good aside from a bit of excess energy here and there. Distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays low and controlled outside two narrow resonance-driven peaks. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: Resonances at 600 and 5kHz, which show up as distinct distortion spikes at 96dB SPL/1m in the same frequency regions. Discontinued.
Full Infinity IL10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.6”H x 8.5”W x 11.5”D (397.0 x 216.0 x 292.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.98 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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 64.5Hz (-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) | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (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 | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.07 |
| 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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