In this review, we will be comparing Black TreVoce 12 PRO and Monitor XT12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from OSD 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 OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO 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.OSD Black TreVoce 12 PROand Polk Monitor XT12 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Black TreVoce 12 PRO has a frequency range of 18-250 Hz whereas Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the Black TreVoce 12 PRO 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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
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 OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO's and Polk Monitor XT12's external dimensions. OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO has external dimensions of 450.9 x 404.8 x 473.1mm () 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).
OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO is 3.2mm narrower and 11.9mm less deeper than Polk Monitor XT12 but it is also 32.9mm taller.
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.
Near-identical footprints. OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO is 33mm 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 OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO is approximately 1915.1cm2 / 296.8inch2 and base area of the Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2. The Black TreVoce 12 PRO requires 3% 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 OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO weighs 21.09kg / 46.4lbs and the Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the Black TreVoce 12 PRO 19% heavier than the Monitor XT12.
Here is a comparison of how Black TreVoce 12 PRO and Monitor XT12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1915cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Height |
418mm
vs
450mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
800USD
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO is 33mm taller.
| General |
OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
| Brand |
OSD |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
18-250 Hz |
24-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
800-watt RMS |
n/a |
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 |
450.9mm (17.8") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
404.8mm (15.9") |
408.0mm (16.1") |
| Depth |
473.1mm (18.6") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
21.09kg (46.4lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
A passive radiator subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO goes deeper - 18Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 50W RMS, about 7.8dB 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 | depends | OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; Polk Monitor XT12 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| 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 | B | Polk Monitor XT12 costs less - $399 against $800, about 50% less. |
A OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO 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?
OSD Black TreVoce 12 PRO is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 101% more. Polk Monitor XT12 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $800 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.