Short answer: the Revel Performa M22. It ranks #68 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $600; the Polk R200 ranks #69 and costs $799, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Revel Performa M22 side: Very flat frequency response from 200hz to 10khz. Set against that: 3dB bass boost around 100hz.
The case for the Polk R200: Two-way design with a 6.5” midwoofer and 1” ring radiator tweeter, giving reasonably tight, well-defined imaging. The tradeoff: A resonance and associated distortion increase around 800Hz-1kHz creates a “tinny,” occasionally glaring quality on certain instruments and vocals.
Buy the Revel Performa M22. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Polk R200 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Revel Performa M22 | Polk R200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $600 used | $799.00 |
| Ranked | #68 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #69 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 74Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 85dB |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer |
| Weight | 41.7 lbs / 18.9 kg | 31.3 lbs / 14.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.5"H x 8.6"W x 11.9"D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) | 14.1"H x 7.5"W x 13.9"D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Revel Performa M22: About $600 used
Pros: Very flat frequency response from 200hz to 10khz. Distortion is well controlled through most of the range, with only a modest crossover-region bump around 2-4kHz.
Cons: 3dB bass boost around 100hz. On-axis response also droops below 150Hz and peaks above 4kHz, which the reviewer thought may sound a bit bright/light. Distortion rises substantially below 100Hz when driven hard.
Full Revel Performa M22 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14.5"H x 8.6"W x 11.9"D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB |
| Weight | 41.7 lbs / 18.9 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Polk R200: $799.00 Amazon
Pros: Two-way design with a 6.5” midwoofer and 1” ring radiator tweeter, giving reasonably tight, well-defined imaging. Neutral through most of the midrange (roughly 200Hz-1kHz). On-axis response holds within about 1.5dB up to 10kHz. About 20dB of usable dynamic range (76dB to 96dB) before more significant compression sets in. Reasonably close to a 4-ohm nominal load, giving some flexibility with amplifier choice, though a dedicated 4-ohm-capable amp is still recommended.
Cons: A resonance and associated distortion increase around 800Hz-1kHz creates a “tinny,” occasionally glaring quality on certain instruments and vocals, confirmed both by ear and in the frequency-response and distortion measurements. Above about 10kHz, the ring-radiator tweeter takes on an artificial, “digital-esque” quality, then falls off quickly above 16kHz. F3 of 74Hz and F10 of 50Hz mean there’s essentially no meaningful bass “thump” below about 60Hz - a subwoofer is strongly recommended even just to restore basic kick-drum presence. The ring radiator tweeter’s dispersion narrows sharply above about 8kHz, so the speaker should be aimed close to on-axis (no more than 5-10° of toe-out). Vertical listening position is fairly critical - moving more than a few degrees above or below the tweeter line causes a noticeable timbre shift due to a gap in the crossover region. Multitone distortion spikes substantially (to around 10%) in the 600Hz-1kHz region at higher output levels (around 96dB/1m), meaning the glare gets worse the louder it’s played. At the highest tested output (102dB, 26dB of dynamic range), the woofer shows clear signs of struggling; crossing to a subwoofer around 80-100Hz helps prevent bottoming out but doesn’t fully eliminate the compression.
Full Polk R200 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 7.5"W x 13.9"D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB |
| Weight | 31.3 lbs / 14.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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