In this review, we will be comparing SUB10 and Monitor XT12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Buchardt 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 Buchardt SUB10 and Polk Monitor XT12 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Buchardt SUB10 and Polk Monitor XT12 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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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.Both Buchardt SUB10and Polk Monitor XT12 have a single woofer setup however the Buchardt SUB10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Polk Monitor XT12 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SUB10 has a frequency range of 20-300 Hz whereas Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the SUB10 can go slightly deeper then 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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
The Buchardt SUB10 has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs. On the other hand the Polk Monitor XT12 have Bass Reflex type enclosure. 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Buchardt SUB10's and Polk Monitor XT12's external dimensions. Buchardt SUB10 has external dimensions of 490 x 320 x 160 mm ( 19.3 x 12.6 x 6.3 inch) 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 ) .
Buchardt SUB10 is 88mm narrower and 325mm less deeper than Polk Monitor XT12 but it is also 72mm 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 Buchardt SUB10 is approximately 512.0cm2 / 79.4inch2 and base area of the Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2. The SUB10 requires 74% 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 Buchardt SUB10 weighs 14.00kg / 30.8lbs and the Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the Monitor XT12 27% heavier than the SUB10.
Here is a comparison of how SUB10 and Monitor XT12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
300k Hz
vs
160k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
Yes
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Base Surface Area |
512cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
418mm
vs
490mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
1300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Buchardt SUB10 |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
| Brand |
Buchardt |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
50 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-300 Hz |
24-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Bi-laminate paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
490.0mm (19.3") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
320.0mm (12.6") |
408.0mm (16.1") |
| Depth |
160.0mm (6.3") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
14.00kg (30.8lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black,White |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years on woofer and cabinet, 2 years on amp module |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |