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 Signature Elite ES20 ranks #119, rated 3.7/5, at $398.98, $399.02 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Polk Signature Elite ES20 is the deeper-bass choice. Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage. Its bass reaches about 55.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 77.6Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. The catch: Predicted in-room smoothness of 0.238 and directivity-index consistency of 3.81 are average rather than class-leading.
The Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 is the more accurate option. 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. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.33 against 4.49 for the Polk Signature Elite ES20. Watch for: 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, and the $399.02 you would save on the Polk Signature Elite ES20 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage.
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.
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Signature Elite ES20 | Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398.98 per pair | $798 per pair |
| Ranked | #119 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way, Power Port bass-reflex | - |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” polypropylene woofer | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 14.8H x 8.5W x 13.8D in | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 8 ohms nominal |
| Country | United States (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.49 | 5.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.44 | 7.99 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2: