Short answer: the Dynaudio Contour 20i on measured sound quality, the Polk R200 on price. The Dynaudio Contour 20i ranks #96 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 3.9/5, at $5,750. The Polk R200 ranks #178, rated 3.2/5, at $799, $4,951 cheaper.
The case for 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 Dynaudio Contour 20i is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 3dB, against 74Hz for the Polk R200. The tradeoff: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment.
Buy the Polk R200 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Dynaudio Contour 20i if sound quality matters more than the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room.
Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk R200 | Dynaudio Contour 20i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 per pair | $5750 per pair |
| Ranked | #178 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #96 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 82.5dB |
| Drivers | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Weight | 31.3 lbs (14.2 kg) | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.5”W x 13.9”D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.09 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.61 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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