Short answer: the Polk Monitor XT20. It ranks #157 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $277.50; the HSU Research MFL-6 ranks #166, rated 3.3/5, and costs $558, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Polk Monitor XT20 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Budget bookshelf speakers with good bass for their size and a fairly wide soundstage. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.71 against 2.63 for the HSU Research MFL-6. Its bass reaches about 64.5Hz before falling 3dB, against 77.6Hz for the HSU Research MFL-6. The catch: 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 HSU Research MFL-6: An affordable high output bookshelf speaker with a horn loaded tweeter, easy to drive, that can sit on a wall, stand or sideways. The tradeoff: Its response deviation is substantial and the horn narrows dispersion, so tonal balance and seating coverage are less even than the best conventional monitors.
Buy the Polk Monitor XT20. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HSU Research MFL-6 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Monitor XT20 | HSU Research MFL-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $277.50 per pair | $558 per pair |
| Ranked | #157 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #166 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | about 41.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 13”H x 7.5”W x 11”D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) | 16H x 8W x 6.25-10.375D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 85.6dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, spinorama.org) |
| Drivers | 6.5” bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1” Terylene dome tweeter | 1” horn-loaded tweeter, 6.5” paper-cone woofer |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 | 2.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.07 | 4.77 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way bass reflex |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz-20kHz +/-2dB |
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