Short answer: the Polk Audio XT60. It ranks #178 of 228 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $458; the Polk Signature Elite ES60 ranks #187, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1,198, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Polk Audio XT60 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A budget tower with a woofer and two passive radiators that gives surprisingly deep bass for the price. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.19 against 3.69 for the Polk Signature Elite ES60. Its bass reaches about 43.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 51.3Hz for the Polk Signature Elite ES60. The tradeoff: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.96) is an unusually high, underdamped figure for a tower speaker, consistent with owner reports of a slightly loose, boomy low end at higher volumes.
Why pick the Polk Signature Elite ES60: A value tower with three 6.5 inch woofers for strong output and deep bass, easy to drive. The catch: The measured data show enough directivity and response unevenness to keep it below the strongest neutral towers, and its large cabinet needs room.
Buy the Polk Audio XT60. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk Signature Elite ES60 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Polk Audio XT60 reaches 43.9 Hz (3 dB down) against 51.3 Hz for the Polk Signature Elite ES60, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Polk Audio XT60 scores 7.1 against 5.6 for the Polk Signature Elite ES60 on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the Polk Signature Elite ES60 is rated at 90 dB sensitivity against 86 dB for the Polk Audio XT60, so it plays as loud with roughly half the amplifier power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT60 | Polk Signature Elite ES60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $458 per pair | $1,198 per pair |
| Ranked | #178 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #187 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 51.3Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 8 ohms compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) | 90dB specified; 89.5dB measured |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5” passive radiators | 1” Terylene tweeter, three 6.5” woofers |
| Weight | 20 lbs (9.07 kg) each | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator-loaded | - |
| Dimensions | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each | 44.5H x 8.5W x 15.7D in |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.19 | 3.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 | 5.57 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way floorstander with Power Port |
| Frequency Response | - | 32Hz-40kHz (manufacturer) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Polk Audio XT60: Spinorama.org measurements.
- Polk Signature Elite ES60: Spinorama.org measurements.
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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