Short answer: the KEF R11 Meta on measured sound quality, the Polk Audio XT60 on price. The KEF R11 Meta ranks #44 of 188 floorstanding speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $6,999.98. The Polk Audio XT60 ranks #147, rated 3.5/5, at $370, $6,629.98 cheaper.
The KEF R11 Meta is the more accurate pick. CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with good directivity and very deep bass extension (F10 of 30Hz). Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.91 against 5.19 for the Polk Audio XT60. The catch: A dip around 1-1.2kHz on-axis is attributed to a diffraction effect, and shows up as a smaller dip in the predicted in-room response.
The Polk Audio XT60 is the deeper-bass option. Passive-radiator-loaded design (6.5” woofer plus two 6.5” passive radiators) gives deeper bass than the driver size alone would suggest: 43.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, genuinely competitive extension for a budget tower. Its bass reaches about 43.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the KEF R11 Meta. The tradeoff: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.96) is the highest, least-controlled figure in this entire batch, consistent with owner reports of a slightly loose, boomy low end at higher volumes.
Buy the KEF R11 Meta if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Polk Audio XT60 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R11 Meta | Polk Audio XT60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6,999.98 per pair | $370 per pair |
| Ranked | #44 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #147 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 51”H x 12.2”W x 15.1”D (1295.4 x 309.9 x 383.5 mm) | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Drivers | 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5” passive radiators |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Weight | 80.5 lbs (36.5 kg) each | 20 lbs (9.07 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | Passive radiator-loaded |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.91 | 5.19 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 | 7.13 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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
KEF R11 Meta: $6,999.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the KEF R11 (ranked lower, estimated 4.3/5).
Same family: the KEF R3 Meta (bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the KEF R5 Meta (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5), the KEF R7 Meta (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.6/5), the KEF R2 Meta (smaller center, rated 4.3/5) and the KEF R6 Meta (larger center, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response with good directivity and very deep bass extension (F10 of 30Hz). Predicted in-room response is very smooth aside from the small 1-1.5kHz dip. The coaxial Uni-Q driver gives excellent, symmetric vertical directivity, unusual for a tower speaker. Distortion is incredibly low even down to 30Hz at 86dB SPL/1m, and stays low even at 96dB and 102dB SPL/1m: the reviewer found essentially no audible tonality change across that whole output range. Measured bass extension of 64Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A dip around 1-1.2kHz on-axis is attributed to a diffraction effect, and shows up as a smaller dip in the predicted in-room response. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±40 degrees is on the narrower side, though the transition from wide to constant directivity is smooth. Minimum impedance dips to 3.2 ohms around 580Hz, calling for an amplifier comfortable with a demanding load. 4-ohm nominal impedance overall.
Full KEF R11 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 51”H x 12.2”W x 15.1”D (1295.4 x 309.9 x 383.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 4 x 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofers, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.91 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 |
| Weight | 80.5 lbs (36.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Audio XT60: $370 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the Polk Audio XT15 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Polk Monitor XT20 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio XT70 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5), the Polk Audio XT30 (smaller center, rated 3.6/5), the Polk Audio XT35 (larger center, rated 4.1/5), the Polk Audio Monitor XT10 (smaller subwoofer, estimated 3.1/5) and the Polk Audio Monitor XT12 (larger subwoofer, estimated 3.3/5).
Pros: Passive-radiator-loaded design (6.5” woofer plus two 6.5” passive radiators) gives deeper bass than the driver size alone would suggest: 43.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, genuinely competitive extension for a budget tower. Hi-Res Audio certified, Dolby Atmos/DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.96) is the highest, least-controlled figure in this entire batch, consistent with owner reports of a slightly loose, boomy low end at higher volumes. On-axis response is also relatively uneven, with narrow-band deviation of about 0.51dB. The vinyl-wrapped (not wood veneer) cabinet reads as budget up close per owner reviews, and at least one owner reported blowing a driver under sustained heavy bass: some caution is warranted with bass-heavy source material at volume.
Full Polk Audio XT60 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5” passive radiators |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.19 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 |
| Weight | 20 lbs (9.07 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator-loaded |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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