Short answer: the Polk Signature Elite ES20. It ranks #119 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $398.98. The Parts Express Samba MT ranks #141, rated 3.6/5, at $329.96, $69.02 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the Polk Signature Elite ES20 does well: Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage. Watch for: Predicted in-room smoothness of 0.238 and directivity-index consistency of 3.81 are average rather than class-leading.
The Parts Express Samba MT is the deeper-bass pick. An affordable two-way speaker kit with Dayton Reference drivers, deep bass for a bookshelf and wide dispersion. Its bass reaches about 45.4Hz before falling 3dB, against 55.7Hz for the Polk Signature Elite ES20. The catch: The listening window spans 6.0dB between 300Hz and 5kHz in Erin’s Audio Corner’s measurements, less even than the best speakers here, and the preference score only reaches 6.27 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Polk Signature Elite ES20. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $69.02 you would save on the Parts Express Samba MT does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Parts Express Samba MT reaches 45.4 Hz (3 dB down) against 55.7 Hz for the Polk Signature Elite ES20, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Close enough not to matter: preference score with a subwoofer (6.4 vs 6.3).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Signature Elite ES20 | Parts Express Samba MT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398.98 per pair | $329.96 per pair |
| Ranked | #119 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #141 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way, Power Port bass-reflex | - |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” polypropylene woofer | Dayton Audio RS180P-4 7” paper woofer, RST28F-4 1-1/8” fabric dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 14.8H x 8.5W x 13.8D in | 15”H x 8.5”W x 11.7”D (381 x 216 x 298 mm) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | - |
| Sensitivity | 86dB | 87dB 1W/1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Country | United States (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.49 | 4.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.44 | 6.27 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) | 45.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 33.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz-20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 70W RMS, 140W max (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Polk Signature Elite ES20: Spinorama.org measurements.
- Parts Express Samba MT: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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