Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It ranks #41 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,748. The Polk R200 ranks #178, rated 3.2/5, at $799, $949 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
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. Watch for: 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 Sierra-2EX V2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.88 against 5.09 for the Polk R200. Its bass reaches about 58.6Hz before falling 3dB, against 74Hz for the Polk R200. The tradeoff: On-axis response is relatively uneven, with an average deviation of about 0.45dB, so a listener sitting dead center may notice more unevenness than with smoother AsciLab or Ascend towers.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $949 saving on the Polk R200 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room.
A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk R200 | Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 per pair | $1,748 per pair |
| Ranked | #178 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #41 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) |
| Drivers | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer |
| Weight | 31.3 lbs (14.2 kg) | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.5”W x 13.9”D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) | 14.3”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.09 | 5.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.61 | 7.95 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Power Handling | - | 150W continuous, 300W peak |
| Frequency Response | - | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Warranty | - | 7 years parts and labor |
| Country | - | United States |
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