Short answer: the Polk Monitor XT20. It ranks #93 of 134 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.4/5) at $279 and is still sold new; the Revel Performa M22 ranks #98 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
Buy the Polk Monitor XT20. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Revel Performa M22 is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Monitor XT20 | Revel Performa M22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 per pair | $600 per pair used (about), Discontinued |
| Ranked | #93 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #98 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13”H x 7.5”W x 11”D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) | 14.5”H x 8.6”W x 11.9”D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB |
| Drivers | 6.5” bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1” Terylene dome tweeter | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each | 41.7 lbs (18.9 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 | 5.31 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.07 | 7.26 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Monitor XT20: $279.00 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 64.5Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
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) | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.07 |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Polk’s new budget XT Speakers. Reviewed! More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Polk Monitor XT20
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 10 Great (and Terrible) Speakers Under $300!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Budget Stereo Systems You Will Love
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- 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 Polk Reserve R100
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Focal Aria 906
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Dynaudio Special Forty
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Revel Performa M22: $600 per pair used (about) Discontinued eBay
Pros: Very flat frequency response from 200Hz to 10kHz. Distortion is well controlled through most of the range, with only a modest crossover-region bump around 2-4kHz. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 3dB bass boost around 100Hz. On-axis response also droops below 150Hz and peaks above 4kHz, which the reviewer thought may sound a bit bright/light. Distortion rises substantially below 100Hz when driven hard. Discontinued.
Full Revel Performa M22 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 8.6”W x 11.9”D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.31 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.26 |
| Weight | 41.7 lbs (18.9 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Revel Performa M22 vs Focal Aria 906
- Revel Performa M22 vs Polk Reserve R100
- Revel Performa M22 vs Polk R200
- Revel Performa M22 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- Revel Performa M22 vs KEF Q3 Meta
- Revel Performa M22 vs JBL XPL-90
- Revel Performa M22 vs SVS Prime Bookshelf
- Revel Performa M22 vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- See all 28 comparisons