In this review, we will be comparing Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer and Monitor XT12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Aperion and Polk Audio. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer and Polk Monitor XT12 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwooferand Polk Monitor XT12 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer has a frequency range of 19-195 Hz whereas Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 19Hz, the Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Monitor XT12's min frequency of 24Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer
Cabinet Type
Both Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer and Polk Monitor XT12 have Bass Reflex type cabinets. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer's and Polk Monitor XT12's external dimensions. Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer has external dimensions of 469.9 x 401.3 x 439.9mm (18.5 x 15.8 x 17.32inch) whereas Polk Monitor XT12 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 408.0 x 485.0mm (16-7/16inch x 16-1/16inch x 19-1/16inch).
Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer is 6.7mm narrower and 45.1mm less deeper than Polk Monitor XT12 but it is also 51.9mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer is approximately 1765.3cm2 / 273.6inch2 and base area of the Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2. The Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer requires 11% less surface area than the Monitor XT12 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer weighs 24.49kg / 53.9lbs and the Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer 38% heavier than the Monitor XT12.
Here is a comparison of how Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer and Monitor XT12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer
 Low Frequency Response |
19 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
195k Hz
vs
160k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1765cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Height |
418mm
vs
469mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
| Brand |
Aperion |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
250 watts |
50 watts |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
19-195 Hz |
24-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
250-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Bi-laminate paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
469.9mm (18.5") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
401.3mm (15.8") |
408.0mm (16.1") |
| Depth |
439.9mm (17.3") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
24.49kg (53.9lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |