In this review, we will be comparing DB10 and Monitor XT12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Fluance 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 Fluance DB10 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.Both Fluance DB10and Polk Monitor XT12 have a single woofer setup however the Fluance DB10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Polk Monitor XT12 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
DB10 has a frequency range of 38-180 Hz whereas Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Monitor XT12 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DB10's min frequency of 38Hz.
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 Fluance DB10 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 Fluance DB10's and Polk Monitor XT12's external dimensions. Fluance DB10 has external dimensions of 406.0 x 302.0 x 399.0mm (16 x 11-7/8 x 15-11/16inch) 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 clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 106mm wider, 12mm taller and 86mm deeper than Fluance DB10.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Polk Monitor XT12 needs about 64% more floor or shelf area. Polk Monitor XT12 is 86mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Polk Monitor XT12 is 12mm 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 Fluance DB10 is approximately 1205.0cm2 / 186.8inch2 and base area of the Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2. The DB10 requires 39% 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 Fluance DB10 weighs 11.20kg / 24.6lbs and the Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the Monitor XT12 58% heavier than the DB10.
Here is a comparison of how DB10 and Monitor XT12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
406mm
vs
418mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1205cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
200USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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 64% more floor area. Polk Monitor XT12 stands 86mm further into the room. Polk Monitor XT12 is 12mm taller.
| General |
Fluance DB10 |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
| Brand |
Fluance |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
45 watts |
50 watts |
| Frequency Response |
38-180 Hz |
24-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
45-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
120-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Bi-laminate paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40 Hz - 180 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
406.0mm (16") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
302.0mm (11.9") |
408.0mm (16.1") |
| Depth |
399.0mm (15.7") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
11.20kg (24.6lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
Different price classes - Polk Monitor XT12 costs roughly 2x what Fluance DB10 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Polk Monitor XT12 goes deeper - 24Hz against 38Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (45W vs 50W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | B | Polk Monitor XT12 moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Fluance DB10 is about 41% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Warranty | B | Polk Monitor XT12 carries 3 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | Fluance DB10 costs less - $200 against $399, about 50% less. |
A Fluance DB10 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?
The usual trade-off: Polk Monitor XT12 measures better, Fluance DB10 costs about 50% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $200 each, two Fluance DB10 cost about $400 against $399 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Fluance DB10 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.