Short answer: the REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII. It ranks #45 of 212 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $899; the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer ranks #82, rated 3.8/5, at $899. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The case for the REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII: High-output 12-inch CarbonGlas driver paired with a 500W RMS NextGen5 Class D amplifier in a compact sealed cabinet. The catch: Lacks high-level input connectivity and digital parametric EQ filters.
The case for the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer: The 12” subwoofer of Polk’s Signature Elite range, replacing the Polk Audio HTS 12. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Polk Audio HTS 12 it replaces (113.5dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands); its 300W amplifier should give it a little more output.
Buy the REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer at the same price, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII 3.7 to 4.1; Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer 3.4 to 4.0). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII | Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.00 | $899.00 |
| Ranked | #45 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated | #82 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| Warranty | 3 | 5/3 |
| Enclosure | sealed | ported |
| Drivers | 12” (300mm) CarbonGlas cone, inverted carbon fiber dust cap | 12” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 500W RMS (NextGen5 Class D) | 300W Class D |
| Frequency Response | 22Hz at -6dB (manufacturer specified) | 22-250Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 15.2”W x 17.2”D (413 x 387 x 438 mm) | 19”H x 14.3”W x 19”D (483 x 363 x 483 mm) |
| Weight | 43.2 lbs (19.6 kg) | 47.6 lbs (21.6 kg) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII:
- Rythmik L12 vs REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII
- KRK S12.4 vs REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII
- REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII vs Klipsch RP-1200SW
- Klipsch RP-1200SW vs Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer vs Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII: $899.00 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the REL Acoustics HT/1003 MKII (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5) and the REL Acoustics HT/1510 Predator II (larger subwoofer, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: High-output 12-inch CarbonGlas driver paired with a 500W RMS NextGen5 Class D amplifier in a compact sealed cabinet. Provides deep bass extension down to 22Hz (-6dB) and strong dynamic impact for dedicated cinema setups.
Cons: Lacks high-level input connectivity and digital parametric EQ filters. As a sealed design, infrasonic output below 20Hz trails similarly priced ported alternatives.
Full REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W RMS (NextGen5 Class D) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 15.2”W x 17.2”D (413 x 387 x 438 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” (300mm) CarbonGlas cone, inverted carbon fiber dust cap |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 22Hz at -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 43.2 lbs (19.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer: $899.00 Estimated World Wide Stereo 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 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES55 (floorstanding, estimated 4/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES60 (largest floorstanding, 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 (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, estimated 3.2/5) and the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES10 Subwoofer (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5). See every Polk Signature generation.
Pros: The 12” subwoofer of Polk’s Signature Elite range, replacing the Polk Audio HTS 12. A 12” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer with two internal Power Ports is driven by a 300W Class D amplifier with 32-bit DSP and Time-Smart phase control, rated down to 22Hz.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Polk Audio HTS 12 it replaces (113.5dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands); its 300W amplifier should give it a little more output.
Full Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2024 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 300W Class D |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 19”H x 14.3”W x 19”D (483 x 363 x 483 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 22-250Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 47.6 lbs (21.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons