Short answer: the Klipsch Heresy IV for efficiency, the Polk Audio XT60 for deep bass without a subwoofer. The Heresy IV measured 94.5dB/2.83V/1m anechoically, below Klipsch’s 99dB in-room claim but still excellent, with strong output from a 12-inch woofer and horn-loaded midrange and tweeter; its 77Hz F3 and roll-off near 100Hz still require a subwoofer. The XT60 reaches 43.9Hz at -3dB and 38.1Hz at -10dB.
Buy the Polk Audio XT60. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch Heresy IV and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT60 | Klipsch Heresy IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $458 per pair | $3,198 per pair |
| Ranked | #59 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #72 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 50.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | Approximately 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) | 94.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5” passive radiators | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 1.75” horn-loaded midrange; 12” woofer |
| Weight | 20 lbs (9.07 kg) each | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator-loaded | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each | 24.8”H x 15.6”W x 13.3”D |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.19 | 2.27 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 | 5.02 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Polk Audio XT60 compares with other leading options:
- Polk Audio XT60 vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition vs Polk Audio XT60
- Polk Audio XT60 vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Revel F328Be
- Radiant Acoustics Clarity 66 vs Polk Audio XT60
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Audio XT60: $458 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video Crutchfield eBay
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
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Polk Audio XT70
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Magnepan LRS+
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Polk Signature Elite ES60
- Polk Audio XT60 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Polk T50
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Definitive Technology BP-9020
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- See all 39 comparisons
Klipsch Heresy IV: $3,198 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Very high 94.5dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity in Erin’s anechoic measurement (well below Klipsch’s 99dB in-room claim, but still excellent) and strong short-term output from a 12-inch woofer plus horn-loaded midrange and tweeter. The compact, furniture-grade Heritage cabinet is easier to place than most high-efficiency designs, and dynamics at moderate levels can sound lively. A stable four-ohm-capable amplifier can produce substantial SPL with relatively little voltage. Measured bass extension of 77Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 94.5dB.
Cons: Erin measured a 77Hz F3 and response rolling away near 100Hz in-room, so a subwoofer is required for modern full-range reproduction. The impedance dips to about 4 ohms, reducing the practical amplifier advantage implied by its sensitivity. Pronounced directivity mismatch at the driver transitions, impedance/response resonances and elevated distortion spikes around the crossover remain audible concerns that EQ cannot fully solve. At 102dB Erin measured roughly 1.5dB midband compression; at 96dB distortion rises around crossover. Performance is difficult to justify at the price, and Erin explicitly did not recommend it.
Full Klipsch Heresy IV review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 24.8”H x 15.6”W x 13.3”D |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 1.75” horn-loaded midrange; 12” woofer |
| Impedance | Approximately 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.27 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.02 |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch Heresy IV vs Rockville RockTower 68B
- Klipsch Heresy IV vs Sony SS-CS3
- Klipsch Heresy IV vs Atlantic Technology 8600eLR
- Klipsch Heresy IV vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Klipsch Heresy IV vs Magnepan LRS+
- Klipsch Heresy IV vs Infinity Reference 253
- Klipsch Heresy IV vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- Klipsch Heresy IV vs Polk T50
- See all 43 comparisons