In this review, we will be comparing Varro PS350-BK and Monitor XT12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from ELAC 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 ELAC Varro PS350-BK 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.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.ELAC Varro PS350-BKand Polk Monitor XT12 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Varro PS350-BK has a frequency range of 24-150 Hz whereas Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz.
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
Both ELAC Varro PS350-BK 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 ELAC Varro PS350-BK's and Polk Monitor XT12's external dimensions. ELAC Varro PS350-BK has external dimensions of 439.0 x 418.0 x 420.0mm (17-1/4inch x 16-7/16inch x 16-1/2inch) 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).
Polk Monitor XT12 is 10mm narrower and 21mm shorter than ELAC Varro PS350-BK but it is also 65mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of ELAC Varro PS350-BK and Polk Monitor XT12 in scale.
Comparison image of ELAC Varro PS350-BK and Polk Monitor XT12 Size and External Dimensions
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 ELAC Varro PS350-BK is approximately 1755.6cm2 / 272.1inch2 and base area of the Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2. The Varro PS350-BK 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 ELAC Varro PS350-BK weighs 21.86kg / 48.1lbs and the Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the Varro PS350-BK 23% heavier than the Monitor XT12.
Here is a comparison of how Varro PS350-BK and Monitor XT12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC Varro PS350-BK?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Varro PS350-BK:
- Grill
- Power Cord
- 4 Spikes
What's in the Box of Polk Monitor XT12?
Here are the items that come with the Monitor XT12:
- Black powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Base Surface Area |
1755cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
418mm
vs
439mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Polk Monitor XT12 needs about 13% more floor area. Polk Monitor XT12 stands 65mm further into the room. ELAC Varro PS350-BK is 21mm taller.
| General |
ELAC Varro PS350-BK |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
350 watts |
50 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-150 Hz |
24-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
700-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Treated paper |
Bi-laminate paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
439.0mm (17.3") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
418.0mm (16.5") |
408.0mm (16.1") |
| Depth |
420.0mm (16.5") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
21.86kg (48.1lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
USB-A port for firmware updates |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 year |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 year |
3 Years |
Different price classes - ELAC Varro PS350-BK costs roughly 2x what Polk Monitor XT12 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (24Hz vs 24Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | ELAC Varro PS350-BK has the bigger amplifier - 350W against 50W RMS, about 8.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Polk Monitor XT12 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Driver placement | depends | ELAC Varro PS350-BK fires down and Polk Monitor XT12 fires front. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Warranty | B | Polk Monitor XT12 carries 3 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Polk Monitor XT12 costs less - $399 against $799, about 50% less. |
A ELAC Varro PS350-BK B Polk Monitor XT12
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Polk Monitor XT12 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Polk Monitor XT12 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $399 each, two Polk Monitor XT12 cost about $798 against $799 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.