Short answer: the Polk Reserve R100 for value, the B&W 805S for loud dynamic playback. The 805S plays very loud with strong bass and well-controlled bass distortion, but its CEA2034 spinorama shows directivity breaking down badly from about 1kHz to 3kHz, leaving vocals recessed and masked without EQ. The R100 costs $1,801 less, has unusually useful bass for its size, and needs an amp that handles about 85dB sensitivity and a 3.6-ohm dip.
Buy the Polk Reserve R100. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the B&W 805S is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Reserve R100 | B&W 805S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 per pair | $2,500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #96 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #114 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 3.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum) |
| Drivers | 1” Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter; 5.25” Turbine Cone midwoofer | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5” woven Kevlar cone mid/bass |
| Dimensions | 12.8”H x 6.5”W x 10.2”D | 16.5H x 9.4W x 13.8D in |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear X-Port | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.46 | 4.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.93 | 6.07 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 49Hz - 22kHz +/-3dB (-6dB at 42Hz and 50kHz) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 50-120W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Polk Reserve R100 compares with other leading options:
- AsciLab C6B vs Polk Reserve R100
- KEF R3 Meta vs Polk Reserve R100
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Polk Reserve R100
- KEF R3 vs Polk Reserve R100
- MoFi SourcePoint 8 vs Polk Reserve R100
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Reserve R100: $699.00 per pair Amazon Polk Audio eBay
Pros: Compact cabinet, unusually useful bass for its size and well-controlled woofer breakup. Erin measured F3/F10 points of 68Hz/49Hz, and the X-Port vent avoids much of the chuffing and pipe resonance common to budget rear ports. The 5.25-inch Turbine Cone woofer and 1-inch Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter produce good detail at moderate levels, while listening roughly 20° off-axis reduces part of the elevated top octave. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Erin measured only about 85dB sensitivity and the impedance reaches 3.6 ohms, so it is neither efficient nor an entirely benign AVR load. The treble runs roughly 3dB above the midrange and becomes aggressive above about 85dB SPL. A directivity discontinuity through the woofer/tweeter crossover means EQ cannot fully repair the power response, and a 400Hz impedance feature plus 500Hz-1kHz response irregularity suggests a cabinet or system resonance. Substantial low-frequency compression at higher playback levels limits clean dynamics.
Full Polk Reserve R100 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8”H x 6.5”W x 10.2”D |
| Drivers | 1” Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter; 5.25” Turbine Cone midwoofer |
| Impedance | 3.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.93 |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear X-Port |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Focal Aria 906
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Revel Performa M22
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Polk Monitor XT20
- Polk Reserve R100 vs HSU Research MFL-6
- Polk Reserve R100 vs KEF Q3 Meta
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Polk R200
- Polk Reserve R100 vs SVS Prime Bookshelf
- See all 30 comparisons
B&W 805S: $2,500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the B&W 805 D4. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: Bass and dynamic performance are strong for the cabinet size, playing very loud with well-controlled bass distortion. Horizontal beamwidth stays reasonably smooth through -6dB. Build quality has enough of a “quality feel” that the reviewer said it kept the speaker from the lowest possible rating. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows directivity breaking down badly starting around 1kHz and staying poor to 3kHz: a wide crossover-region flaw the reviewer called “clearly flawed execution” that leaves vocals sounding recessed and masked without EQ correction. A high 4kHz crossover point appears to leave the tweeter’s small sub-enclosure resonating audibly during playback. Discontinued, superseded by the 805 Diamond/805 D4 series.
Full B&W 805S review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5H x 9.4W x 13.8D in |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5” woven Kevlar cone mid/bass |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 22kHz +/-3dB (-6dB at 42Hz and 50kHz) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum) |
| Power Handling | 50-120W |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.12 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.07 |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs (11.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons