Short answer: the Polk T50. It ranks #152 of 228 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $498; the Polk Audio XT70 ranks #170, rated 3.6/5, and costs $698, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Polk T50: A budget tower with twin woofers and passive radiators that gives pretty deep bass for very little money. Watch for: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up.
The Polk Audio XT70 is the more accurate option. A budget tower with twin woofers and two passive radiators for extra bass, working with 4 or 8 ohm amplifiers. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.16 against 4.14 for the Polk T50. The catch: On-axis smoothness (0.274) and listening-window smoothness (0.303) are unremarkable for a tower this size, with a pronounced +0.28dB per octave upward tonal tilt giving it a brighter-leaning balance and a predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.31.
Buy the Polk T50. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk Audio XT70 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Polk Audio XT70 scores 7.1 against 6.2 for the Polk T50 on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the Polk Audio XT70 is rated at 89 dB sensitivity against 86.3 dB for the Polk T50, so it plays as loud with roughly two thirds of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (47 Hz vs 43.9 Hz, 3 dB down).
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk T50 | Polk Audio XT70 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $498 per pair | $698 per pair |
| Ranked | #152 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #170 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 37.7Hz (derived, sustained-crossing interpolation, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 4/8 ohm compatible |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1” Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8” passive bass radiators | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 2x 6.5” Dynamic Balance woofers, 2x 8” passive radiators |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | 89dB @ 1W/1m |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 9.3”W x 12.5”D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) | 40.4H x 9.25W x 12.5D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.14 | 5.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 | 7.10 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | Ported, critically-braced MDF |
| Country | - | China |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Polk T50: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Audio Science Review.
- Polk Audio XT70: Spinorama.org measurements.
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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