Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It ranks #24 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $798; the Polk R200 ranks #178, rated 3.2/5, and costs $799, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the Polk R200: A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room. The tradeoff: A resonance and associated distortion increase around 800Hz-1kHz creates a “tinny,” occasionally glaring quality on certain instruments and vocals, confirmed both by ear and in the frequency-response and distortion measurements.
The Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 is the better-sounding pick. A dual woofer bookshelf speaker with accurate sound, high sensitivity, and lots of clean output, a superb partner for a subwoofer at a modest price. The catch: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk R200 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room.
A dual woofer bookshelf speaker with accurate sound, high sensitivity, and lots of clean output, a superb partner for a subwoofer at a modest price.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk R200 | Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 per pair | $798 per pair |
| Ranked | #178 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Drivers | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Weight | 31.3 lbs (14.2 kg) | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.5”W x 13.9”D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.09 | 5.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.61 | 7.99 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak |
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