Short answer: the Polk T50. It ranks #54 of 73 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $498; the Polk Signature Elite ES60 ranks #62, rated 3.4/5, and costs $599, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the Polk T50: Pretty deep bass for the price. The tradeoff: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up.
Why pick the Polk Signature Elite ES60: Three 6.5-inch woofers deliver strong output, 39Hz measured extension and about 89.5dB measured sensitivity. The tradeoff: 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 T50. 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.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk T50 | Polk Signature Elite ES60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $498 per pair | $599 per pair |
| Ranked | #54 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #62 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 51.3Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 8 ohms compatible |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1” Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8” passive bass radiators | 1” Terylene tweeter, three 6.5” woofers |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | 90dB specified; 89.5dB measured |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 9.3”W x 12.5”D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) | 44.5H x 8.5W x 15.7D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.14 | 3.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 | 5.57 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way floorstander with Power Port |
| Frequency Response | - | 32Hz-40kHz (manufacturer) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Polk T50:
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Polk T50
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Polk T50
- MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition vs Polk T50
- MoFi SourcePoint 888 vs Polk T50
- Polk T50 vs Revel F328Be
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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 Signature Elite ES60: $599 per pair Crutchfield eBay
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 →
| 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