In this review, we will be comparing MilleniaSub and Monitor XT12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Paradigm 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 Paradigm MilleniaSub 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 Paradigm MilleniaSuband Polk Monitor XT12 have a single woofer setup however the Paradigm MilleniaSub's woofer is -inch whereas the Polk Monitor XT12 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
MilleniaSub 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
The Paradigm MilleniaSub 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
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 Paradigm MilleniaSub's and Polk Monitor XT12's external dimensions. Paradigm MilleniaSub has external dimensions of 386.0 x 180.0 x 467.0mm (15-3/16inch x 7-1/16inch x 18-3/8inch) 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 228mm wider, 32mm taller and 18mm deeper than Paradigm MilleniaSub.
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 135% more floor or shelf area. Polk Monitor XT12 is 18mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Polk Monitor XT12 is 32mm 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 Paradigm MilleniaSub is approximately 840.6cm2 / 130.3inch2 and base area of the Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2. The MilleniaSub requires 58% 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 Paradigm MilleniaSub weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs and the Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the Monitor XT12 63% heavier than the MilleniaSub.
Here is a comparison of how MilleniaSub 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 Paradigm MilleniaSub?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of MilleniaSub:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Stand
- 4 Feet
- 4 Locking collars
- 4 Felt-pads
- 2 Screws
- 4 Rubber inserts
- Owners Manual
- Important Operating Info
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
 Height |
386mm
vs
418mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
840cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
1699USD
|
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 135% more floor area. Polk Monitor XT12 stands 18mm further into the room. Polk Monitor XT12 is 32mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm MilleniaSub |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
50 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-150 Hz |
24-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Reinforced Polymer |
Bi-laminate paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front and back |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
386.0mm (15.2") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
408.0mm (16.1") |
| Depth |
467.0mm (18.4") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
A sealed 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (24Hz vs 24Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | Paradigm MilleniaSub 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. |
| Enclosure | depends | Paradigm MilleniaSub is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; 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. |
| 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 | Paradigm MilleniaSub fires front/rear 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Paradigm MilleniaSub is about 61% 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. |
| Price | B | Polk Monitor XT12 costs less - $399 against $1,699, about 77% less. |
A Paradigm MilleniaSub 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Polk Monitor XT12 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Paradigm MilleniaSub is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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.
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.