Short answer: the Polk Audio XT15 for cheap Atmos duty, the Revel M105 for serious listening. The XT15 drops into almost any AVR since it works with 4- or 8-ohm outputs and is Hi-Res Audio Certified and Dolby Atmos/DTS:X compatible, but its bass rolls off earlier than most of this batch, at 77.6Hz (-3dB) and 54.2Hz (-10dB), and it costs $179 a pair. The M105 is essentially flat on-axis with clean waterfall decay.
Buy the Polk Audio XT15 new; the Revel M105 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel M105 | Polk Audio XT15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,500 per pair Discontinued | $179.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 92 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #29 of 92 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 54.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, low minimum | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 44kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum cone woofer, 1” aluminum tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 5.25” bi-laminate paper woofer |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) each | 9 lbs (4.08 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (355.6 x 200.7 x 248.9 mm) | 16.51 x 18.24cm (6.5 x 7.18 in), 4.08kg (9 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | Ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.76 | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.18 | 7.31 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Revel M105: $1,500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with only a small 5kHz peak, a smooth listening window, and clean waterfall decay. Wide horizontal dispersion gives flexibility with toe-in. The reviewer called it reference-quality performance with minor EQ correction applied. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Low nominal impedance demands a capable amplifier that can handle low-impedance loads. Bass distortion runs high in the 80-250Hz range from woofer displacement, and maximum output is limited compared to larger designs. Discontinued.
Full Revel M105 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (355.6 x 200.7 x 248.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum cone woofer, 1” aluminum tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 44kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, low minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.18 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Audio XT15: $179.00 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Very low $179/pair entry price for a Hi-Res Audio Certified 2-way design that’s Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs so it drops into almost any AVR without matching concerns. Off axis sound tracks the on axis response reasonably consistently for the price. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off early, at 77.6Hz (-3dB) and 54.2Hz (-10dB). On-axis response is relatively uneven, with an average deviation of about 0.45dB, and its listening window is less smooth than pricier speakers. Modest 86dB sensitivity wants a reasonably powered amp channel. The 5.25” bi-laminate paper woofer is Polk’s entry-tier driver, not the polypropylene/Turbine cones used in its pricier Signature Elite/Reserve lines.
Full Polk Audio XT15 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.51 x 18.24cm (6.5 x 7.18 in), 4.08kg (9 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 5.25” bi-laminate paper woofer |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.31 |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.08 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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