Short answer: the Polk T50. It ranks #54 of 73 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $498; the Polk Audio XT70 ranks #58, rated 3.6/5, and costs $698, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Polk T50: Pretty deep bass for the price. Watch for: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up.
What the Polk Audio XT70 does well: The flagship tower in Polk’s current Monitor XT lineup, sitting above the XT60 and XT15 in the same series, adding a second 6.5” woofer and dual 8” passive radiators for more low-end output. The tradeoff: 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk T50 | Polk Audio XT70 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $498 per pair | $698 per pair |
| Ranked | #54 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #58 of 73 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 |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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 T50: $498 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Pretty deep bass for the price. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled outside a narrow spike around 250Hz. The reviewer notes performance is “not too bad for a budget speaker” once the two main tonal issues are addressed with EQ. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.3dB.
Cons: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up. Just okay vertical off axis. Impedance and phase show several resonances between 200Hz-1kHz, with a minimum impedance of 4.2 ohms. Distortion rises substantially at 96dB SPL/1m across the midrange, with repeated peaks between 100Hz-2kHz.
Full Polk T50 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 9.3”W x 12.5”D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1” Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8” passive bass radiators |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Audio XT70: $698 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: The flagship tower in Polk’s current Monitor XT lineup, sitting above the XT60 and XT15 in the same series, adding a second 6.5” woofer and dual 8” passive radiators for more low-end output. Rated for both 4 and 8 ohm operation. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 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. Directivity-index standard deviation of 3.33 is unremarkable either way.
Full Polk Audio XT70 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.7Hz (derived, sustained-crossing interpolation, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner via spinorama.org) |
| Country | China |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4H x 9.25W x 12.5D in |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 2x 6.5” Dynamic Balance woofers, 2x 8” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | Ported, critically-braced MDF |
| Impedance | 4/8 ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 89dB @ 1W/1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.10 |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons