Short answer: the Polk T50. It ranks #54 of 74 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $498. The Polk Audio XT60 ranks #59, rated 3.5/5, at $458, $40 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Buy the Polk T50. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $40 you would save on the Polk Audio XT60 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT60 | Polk T50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $458 per pair | $498 per pair |
| Ranked | #59 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #54 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5” passive radiators | 2x 6.5” bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1” Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8” passive bass radiators |
| Weight | 20 lbs (9.07 kg) each | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator-loaded | passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each | 40.4”H x 9.3”W x 12.5”D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.19 | 4.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.13 | 6.15 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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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.
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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
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Polk T50: $498 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Pretty deep bass for the price. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled outside a narrow spike around 250Hz. The reviewer notes performance is “not too bad for a budget speaker” once the two main tonal issues are addressed with EQ. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.3dB.
Cons: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up. Just okay vertical off axis. Impedance and phase show several resonances between 200Hz-1kHz, with a minimum impedance of 4.2 ohms. Distortion rises substantially at 96dB SPL/1m across the midrange, with repeated peaks between 100Hz-2kHz.
Full Polk T50 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 9.3”W x 12.5”D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1” Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8” passive bass radiators |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons