In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT10 and ASW610, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Polk Audio and Bowers Wilkins. 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 Polk Monitor XT10 and B&W ASW610 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.Polk Monitor XT10and B&W ASW610 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT10 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz whereas ASW610 has a frequency range of 27-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Monitor XT10 can go slightly deeper then the ASW610's min frequency of 27Hz.
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 Polk Monitor XT10 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the B&W ASW610 have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. 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.
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 Polk Monitor XT10's and B&W ASW610's external dimensions. Polk Monitor XT10 has external dimensions of 399.0 x 302.0 x 422.0mm (15-11/16 x 11-7/8 x 16-5/8inch) whereas B&W ASW610 has external dimensions of 321.0 x 312.0 x 394.0mm (12-5/8 x 12-1/4 x 15-1/2inch).
B&W ASW610 is 78mm shorter and 28mm less deeper than Polk Monitor XT10 but it is also 10mm wider.
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. Polk Monitor XT10 is 28mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Polk Monitor XT10 is 78mm 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 Polk Monitor XT10 is approximately 1274.4cm2 / 197.5inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW610 is approximately 1229.3cm2 / 190.5inch2. The Monitor XT10 requires 4% more surface area than the ASW610 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.