Short answer: the Polk Audio Monitor XT12. It ranks #187 of 212 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $319; the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer ranks #195, rated 3.2/5, and costs $359, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Polk Audio Monitor XT12: The 12” subwoofer of Polk’s Monitor XT range, with a long-throw bi-laminate paper woofer and a 50W (100W peak) Class AB amplifier, rated 24 to 160Hz. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Polk Audio PSW108 (110.3dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands).
The case for the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer: The smallest subwoofer in Polk’s Signature Elite range, matching the ES speakers in style. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Polk Audio HTS 10, the 10” sub this range replaces (114.8dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands).
Buy the Polk Audio Monitor XT12. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Polk Audio Monitor XT12 2.9 to 3.6; Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer 2.8 to 3.5). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio Monitor XT12 | Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 | $359.00 |
| Ranked | #187 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated | #195 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated |
| Dimensions | 16.4”H x 16”W x 17.9”D (417 x 406 x 455 mm) | 15.2”H x 12.8”W x 17.2”D (385 x 326 x 437 mm) |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Warranty | 5/3 | 5/3 |
| Enclosure | ported | ported |
| Drivers | 12” bi-laminate paper woofer | 8” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS (100W peak) Class AB | 100W |
| Frequency Response | 24-160Hz (manufacturer specified) | 32-180Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 39 lbs (17.7 kg) | 39 lbs (17.7 kg) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Polk Audio Monitor XT12:
- BIC America F-12 vs Polk Audio Monitor XT12
- Klipsch Reference R-120SW vs Polk Audio Monitor XT12
- Polk Audio Monitor XT12 vs RSL (Rogersound Labs) Speedwoofer 10E
- RSL (Rogersound Labs) Speedwoofer 10E vs Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer
- BK Electronics XLS200-DF MK2 vs Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Polk Audio Monitor XT12: $319.00 Estimated Amazon 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 XT60 (smaller floorstanding, rated 3.5/5), the Polk Audio XT70 (larger floorstanding, rated 3.6/5), the Polk Audio XT30 (smaller center, rated 3.6/5), the Polk Audio XT35 (larger center, rated 4.1/5) and the Polk Audio Monitor XT10 (smaller subwoofer, estimated 3.1/5). See every Polk Monitor generation.
Pros: The 12” subwoofer of Polk’s Monitor XT range, with a long-throw bi-laminate paper woofer and a 50W (100W peak) Class AB amplifier, rated 24 to 160Hz. It is one of the least expensive 12” subwoofers from a major brand.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Polk Audio PSW108 (110.3dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands). A 50W amplifier is very little for a 12” driver, so output is limited.
Full Polk Audio Monitor XT12 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2026 (6 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS (100W peak) Class AB |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 16.4”H x 16”W x 17.9”D (417 x 406 x 455 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” bi-laminate paper woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 24-160Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 39 lbs (17.7 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer: $359.00 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk Signature Elite ES10 (smallest bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES15 (bookshelf, rated 3.5/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES20 (largest bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES50 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES55 (floorstanding, estimated 4/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES60 (largest floorstanding, rated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 (smaller center, estimated 3.5/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 (larger center, estimated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES10 Subwoofer (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 3.7/5) and the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5). See every Polk Signature generation.
Pros: The smallest subwoofer in Polk’s Signature Elite range, matching the ES speakers in style. An 8” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer and twin Power Ports are driven by a 100W amplifier with DSP and Polk’s Time-Smart phase control, rated to 32Hz.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Polk Audio HTS 10, the 10” sub this range replaces (114.8dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands). With a smaller woofer and a third of the newer models’ power, it is suited to small rooms.
Full Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer review and specifications →
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 12.8”W x 17.2”D (385 x 326 x 437 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 32-180Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 39 lbs (17.7 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons