Short answer: the Polk Audio XT70. It ranks #58 of 73 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $698. The Polk Audio XT60 ranks #59, rated 3.5/5, at $458, $240 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Polk Audio XT70: The flagship tower in Polk’s current Monitor XT lineup, sitting above the XT60 and XT15 in the same series, adding a second 6.5” woofer and dual 8” passive radiators for more low-end output. The catch: On-axis smoothness (0.274) and listening-window smoothness (0.303) are unremarkable for a tower this size, with a pronounced +0.28dB per octave upward tonal tilt giving it a brighter-leaning balance and a predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.31.
Why pick the Polk Audio XT60: 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. Watch for: 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.
Buy the Polk Audio XT70. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $240 you would save on the Polk Audio XT60 does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio XT70 | Polk Audio XT60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $698 per pair | $458 per pair |
| Ranked | #58 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #59 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | Ported, critically-braced MDF | - |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 2x 6.5” Dynamic Balance woofers, 2x 8” passive radiators | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” bilaminate polypropylene woofer, 2x 6.5” passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 40.4H x 9.25W x 12.5D in | 19.05 x 92.5 x 23.09cm (7.5 x 36.4 x 9.09 in) each |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each | 20 lbs (9.07 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 89dB @ 1W/1m | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Impedance | 4/8 ohm compatible | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Country | China | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.16 | 5.19 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 | 7.13 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.7Hz (derived, sustained-crossing interpolation, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | Passive radiator-loaded |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Polk Audio XT70 compares with other leading options:
- Polk Audio XT70 vs Klipsch Forte IV
- Polk T50 vs Polk Audio XT70
- Polk Audio XT70 vs Polk Signature Elite ES60
- Polk Audio XT70 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Polk Signature Elite ES60
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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 XT70: $698 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: The flagship tower in Polk’s current Monitor XT lineup, sitting above the XT60 and XT15 in the same series, adding a second 6.5” woofer and dual 8” passive radiators for more low-end output. Rated for both 4 and 8 ohm operation. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis smoothness (0.274) and listening-window smoothness (0.303) are unremarkable for a tower this size, with a pronounced +0.28dB per octave upward tonal tilt giving it a brighter-leaning balance and a predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.31. Directivity-index standard deviation of 3.33 is unremarkable either way.
Full Polk Audio XT70 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.7Hz (derived, sustained-crossing interpolation, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
| Country | China |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4H x 9.25W x 12.5D in |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 2x 6.5” Dynamic Balance woofers, 2x 8” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | Ported, critically-braced MDF |
| Impedance | 4/8 ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 89dB @ 1W/1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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 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
- Polk Audio XT60 vs Dynaudio Emit 30
- See all 38 comparisons