In this review, we will be comparing R18s and Monitor XT12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Perlisten 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 Perlisten R18s 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.Perlisten R18s and Polk Monitor XT12 have a totally different setup: the Perlisten R18s features x -inch drivers whereas the Monitor XT12 features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
R18s has a frequency range of 20-288 Hz whereas Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the R18s 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
Both Perlisten R18s 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 Perlisten R18s's and Polk Monitor XT12's external dimensions. Perlisten R18s has external dimensions of 618.0 x 570.0 x 575.0mm () 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).
Perlisten R18s is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 162mm wider, 200mm taller and 90mm deeper than Polk Monitor XT12.
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.
Perlisten R18s needs about 66% more floor or shelf area. Perlisten R18s is 90mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Perlisten R18s is 200mm 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 Perlisten R18s is approximately 3277.5cm2 / 508.0inch2 and base area of the Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2. The R18s requires 66% more surface area than the Monitor XT12 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Perlisten R18s weighs 57.30kg / 126.1lbs and the Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the R18s 223% heavier than the Monitor XT12.
Here is a comparison of how R18s 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 |
288 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
418mm
vs
618mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1978cm2
vs
3277cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
5495USD
|
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.
Perlisten R18s needs about 66% more floor area. Perlisten R18s stands 90mm further into the room. Perlisten R18s is 200mm taller.
| General |
Perlisten R18s |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
95 dB |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
20-288 Hz |
24-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
50-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Bi-laminate paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
618.0mm (24.3") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
570.0mm (22.4") |
408.0mm (16.1") |
| Depth |
575.0mm (22.6") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
57.30kg (126.1lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |
Different price classes - Perlisten R18s costs roughly 13.8x what Polk Monitor XT12 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Perlisten R18s goes deeper - 20Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Polk Monitor XT12 is about 59% 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 $5,495, about 93% less. |
A Perlisten R18s 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?
Perlisten R18s is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 13.8x the price. 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 $5,495 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Polk Monitor XT12 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.