Short answer: the Polk T15. It ranks #47 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $149; the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 ranks #48 and costs $249, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Polk T15 gets right: Extremely affordable 2-way design that actually measured better at +/-20 degrees vertical off-axis than directly on-axis. The catch: Spinorama analysis reveals what Amir called a “horrific drop in upper mids/lower treble region of 3 to 6 kHz,” likely from tweeter-woofer phase cancellation directly on-axis.
The case for the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. The tradeoff: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz.
Buy the Polk T15. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 56 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk T15 | Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.00 | $249.00 |
| Ranked | #47 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 0.75" tweeter, 5.25" woofer | 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25" planar bass radiator |
| Dimensions | 10.63H x 6.5W x 7.25D in | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs / 3.74 kg each | 7.3 lbs / 3.29 kg each |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | - | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | passive radiator |
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- Fluance Signature HFS vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- JBL Stage A120 vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Klipsch R-41M
- Micca RB42 vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
The Two Speakers In Full
Polk T15: $149.00 Amazon
Pros: Extremely affordable 2-way design that actually measured better at +/-20 degrees vertical off-axis than directly on-axis. In near-field desktop use, the reviewer found the T15 “didn’t sound that horrible,” partly because nearby desk reflections mask the frequency response dip.
Cons: Spinorama analysis reveals what Amir called a “horrific drop in upper mids/lower treble region of 3 to 6 kHz,” likely from tweeter-woofer phase cancellation directly on-axis. Measured impedance ranges from 4-8 ohms, contradicting the specified 6-8 ohm range, and there’s a distortion peak around 400Hz. On- and off-axis response “vary a ton,” making listening position unusually important. The reviewer recommends saving up for the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR instead: “I can’t justify recommending the Polk T15 even though subjective performance was not horrible.”
Full Polk T15 review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 10.63H x 6.5W x 7.25D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 0.75" tweeter, 5.25" woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs / 3.74 kg each |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000: $249.00 Amazon
Pros: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. Ships with a footer that keeps the small cabinet planted despite its light weight.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz. Distortion at 96dB SPL was so bad the reviewer limited testing to 86dB. Direct comparison to a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR left the reviewer calling the $500/pair ProMonitor 1000 “a bad experiment that should be forgotten” and concluding “there is nothing Pro about it.”
Full Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in |
| Drivers | 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25" planar bass radiator |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.29 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs JBL Stage A130
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Klipsch R-41M
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Micca RB42
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- See all 10 comparisons