Short answer: the Polk Monitor XT20. It ranks #65 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $279; the Focal Aria 906 ranks #67 and costs $2199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Polk Monitor XT20 side: Two-way bookshelf design with a 1” tweeter and 6.5” woofer, part of Polk’s budget-friendly XT lineup (spanning roughly $200-700 across the series). Set against that: Notably bright treble, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange depending on frequency - a characteristic shared across the whole Polk XT lineup, requiring either EQ or toe-out to tame.
The case for the Focal Aria 906: CEA2034 spinorama shows very flat bass response, with the reviewer rating overall performance “good.” Predicted in-room response is almost perfect prior to 1kHz. The tradeoff: 3dB dip around 2.8khz.
Buy the Polk Monitor XT20. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Focal Aria 906 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Monitor XT20 | Focal Aria 906 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $2,199.00 used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #65 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #67 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13"H x 7.5"W x 11"D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) | 15.4"H x 8.9"W x 11"D (390.0 x 225.0 x 280.0 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (4.8 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 86.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1" Terylene dome tweeter | 26mm tweeter + 165mm mid-woofer |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each | 39.9 lbs / 18.1 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, front |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs Polk R200
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The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Monitor XT20: $279.00 Amazon Crutchfield
Pros: Two-way bookshelf design with a 1” tweeter and 6.5” woofer, part of Polk’s budget-friendly XT lineup (spanning roughly $200-700 across the series). Measures more linear and has fewer/smaller cabinet resonances than its smaller sibling, the XT15, making it - by the reviewer’s own assessment - probably the better of the two based on data alone. Reasonably good bass output for the price and size, with an F3 of 63Hz. Horizontal radiation of about ±50° gives a respectable, enjoyable soundstage width. Takes well to EQ correction - the early-reflections directivity trend is decently linear, meaning tonal adjustments can meaningfully improve the sound. Provides usable, respectable volume when paired with a subwoofer crossover, even though it isn’t intended to play extremely loud on its own.
Cons: Notably bright treble, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange depending on frequency - a characteristic shared across the whole Polk XT lineup, requiring either EQ or toe-out to tame. Small resonances appear around 300Hz and 800Hz, with some of that energy leaking from the port area. Vertical listening window is narrow - best kept close to the tweeter axis, with only a couple of degrees of tolerance above or below before the sound changes. Still needs a subwoofer for real low-end extension despite the decent F3. Overall linearity isn’t state-of-the-art flat, and while the reviewer found it pleasant, some artificial brightness remains even after basic EQ correction in the crossover region.
Full Polk Monitor XT20 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13"H x 7.5"W x 11"D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1" Terylene dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured by Erin's Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs KEF Q3 Meta
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs SVS Prime Bookshelf
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Revel Performa M22
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Polk R200
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Focal Aria 906: $2,199.00 used, Discontinued Amazon
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows very flat bass response, with the reviewer rating overall performance “good.” Predicted in-room response is almost perfect prior to 1kHz. Horizontal dispersion of about ±60 degrees is good and stays even out to about -12dB before getting erratic. Woofer distortion is quite low at 86dB SPL/1m.
Cons: 3dB dip around 2.8khz. Some resonance around 800hz, small directivity error around 7khz. A dip in the upper midrange also shows up in the predicted in-room response. Distortion becomes problematic at 96dB SPL/1m, with a notable peak around 1.3-1.5kHz alongside broader midrange elevation. Discontinued.
Full Focal Aria 906 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.4"H x 8.9"W x 11"D (390.0 x 225.0 x 280.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 26mm tweeter + 165mm mid-woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.8 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 39.9 lbs / 18.1 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons