Short answer: the Polk Signature Elite ES55. It ranks #128 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $898; the Polk Signature Elite ES60 ranks #186, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1,198, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Polk Signature Elite ES55 is the better-sounding pick. Mid-sized floorstanding tower in Polk’s Signature Elite range equipped with dual 6.5-inch Dynamic Balance woofers and a 1-inch Terylene dome tweeter. The tradeoff: Rating estimated based on sibling laboratory measurements across the Signature Elite line.
What the Polk Signature Elite ES60 does well: Three 6.5-inch woofers deliver strong output, 39Hz measured extension and about 89.5dB measured sensitivity. Watch for: The measured data show enough directivity and response unevenness to keep it below the strongest neutral towers, and its large cabinet needs room.
Buy the Polk Signature Elite ES55. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk Signature Elite ES60 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
About the ratings: the Polk Signature Elite ES55’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.8 to 4.2, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Signature Elite ES55 | Polk Signature Elite ES60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $898 per pair Passive | $1,198 per pair |
| Ranked | #128 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #186 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz | - |
| Dimensions | 41.7” x 11.7” x 12.5” (1059 x 297 x 318 mm) | 44.5H x 8.5W x 15.7D in |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene high-res dome tweeter, two 6.5” mica-reinforced polypropylene woofers | 1” Terylene tweeter, three 6.5” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz | 32Hz-40kHz (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms (4-8 ohm compatible) | 8 ohms compatible |
| Passive | Yes | - |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V @ 1m) | 90dB specified; 89.5dB measured |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs (20.0 kg) each | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) each |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way floorstander with Power Port |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 5.57 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 51.3Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Polk Signature Elite ES60 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Polk Signature Elite ES60 vs Triangle Borea BR08
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Signature Elite ES55: $898 per pair Passive Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk Signature Elite ES10 (smallest bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES15 (bookshelf, rated 3.5/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES20 (largest bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES50 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.8/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES60 (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 (smaller center, estimated 3.5/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 (larger center, estimated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer (smallest subwoofer, estimated 3.2/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES10 Subwoofer (subwoofer, estimated 3.7/5) and the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer (largest subwoofer, estimated 3.8/5). See every Polk Signature generation.
Pros: Mid-sized floorstanding tower in Polk’s Signature Elite range equipped with dual 6.5-inch Dynamic Balance woofers and a 1-inch Terylene dome tweeter. Offers higher sensitivity (90dB) and robust acoustic output capability with down-firing Power Port bass reflex tuning for clean extension down to 40Hz. Preserves the directivity matching and smooth off-axis tonal character validated by testing on the Polk Signature Elite ES20 and Polk Signature Elite ES60.
Cons: Rating estimated based on sibling laboratory measurements across the Signature Elite line. Substantial cabinet depth and footprint require generous boundary clearance from walls for optimum tonal balance.
Full Polk Signature Elite ES55 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz |
| Dimensions | 41.7” x 11.7” x 12.5” (1059 x 297 x 318 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene high-res dome tweeter, two 6.5” mica-reinforced polypropylene woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz |
| Impedance | 8 ohms (4-8 ohm compatible) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V @ 1m) |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs (20.0 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Signature Elite ES60: $1,198 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the Polk Signature Elite ES10 (smallest bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES15 (bookshelf, rated 3.5/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES20 (largest bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES50 (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES55 (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 (smaller center, estimated 3.5/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 (larger center, estimated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer (smallest subwoofer, estimated 3.2/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES10 Subwoofer (subwoofer, estimated 3.7/5) and the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer (largest subwoofer, estimated 3.8/5). See every Polk Signature generation.
Pros: Three 6.5-inch woofers deliver strong output, 39Hz measured extension and about 89.5dB measured sensitivity. Its local Spinorama scores of 3.69 raw and 5.57 with subwoofer are respectable for a large value-oriented tower, with reasonably smooth listening-window behavior. Measured bass extension of 51.3Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 90dB.
Cons: The measured data show enough directivity and response unevenness to keep it below the strongest neutral towers, and its large cabinet needs room. Polk’s 32Hz lower-limit claim is optimistic relative to the independent anechoic result.
Full Polk Signature Elite ES60 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 44.5H x 8.5W x 15.7D in |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene tweeter, three 6.5” woofers |
| Enclosure | 2-way floorstander with Power Port |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz-40kHz (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms compatible |
| Sensitivity | 90dB specified; 89.5dB measured |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.57 |
| Weight | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Signature Elite ES60 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Polk Signature Elite ES60 vs Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F
- Polk Signature Elite ES60 vs Paradigm Monitor SE 6000F
- Polk Signature Elite ES60 vs Infinity Reference 253
- Polk Signature Elite ES60 vs Polk Audio XT60
- Polk Signature Elite ES60 vs Triangle Borea BR08
- Polk Signature Elite ES60 vs Polk Audio XT70
- Polk Signature Elite ES60 vs Polk T50
- See all 9 comparisons