Short answer: the Polk Audio Reserve R700 for better sound quality, the Polk Reserve R500 for the lower price. The Polk Audio Reserve R700 ranks #65 of 228 floorstanding speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $2,398. The Polk Reserve R500 ranks #85, rated 4.2/5, at $1,398, $1,000 cheaper.
The Polk Audio Reserve R700 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Floorstanding speakers with accurate sound, genuinely deep bass, a wide enveloping stage and solid punch even at quiet volumes. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.38 against 5.86 for the Polk Reserve R500. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 51Hz for the Polk Reserve R500. Watch for: Compression in the high frequencies rises sharply between 96dB and 102dB output: a real limitation only at very high volumes (around 100dB at 3 meters), but a clear step down from pricier ($5,000+) towers.
The case for the Polk Reserve R500: Affordable floorstanding speakers with fairly neutral sound for a small to medium room, easy to improve further with simple EQ. The tradeoff: A bump around 4-6kHz gives a “shouty,” mildly sibilant quality in the lower treble.
Buy the Polk Audio Reserve R700 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Polk Reserve R500 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (31 Hz vs 33 Hz, 10 dB down); preference score with a subwoofer (7.8 vs 7.4).
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio Reserve R700 | Polk Reserve R500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,398 per pair | $1,398 per pair |
| Ranked | #65 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #85 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 51Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 8 ohms nominal per manufacturer) |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” polypropylene cone woofers, 1x 6.5” turbine cone midrange, 1x 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter | Two 5.25” Turbine Cone woofer, 1” Pinnacle Ring Radiator tweeter |
| Weight | 102.1 lbs (46.3 kg) | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, down-firing | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 45”H x 12.6”W x 16.9”D (1143.8 x 320.7 x 428.3 mm) | 40.3”H x 6.8”W x 12.4”D (1023.6 x 172.7 x 315 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.38 | 5.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 | 7.44 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Polk Audio Reserve R700: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Polk Reserve R500: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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