In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT12 and SubSeries 450, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Polk Audio and PSB. 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 XT12 and PSB SubSeries 450 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 XT12and PSB SubSeries 450 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz whereas SubSeries 450 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the SubSeries 450 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
The Polk Monitor XT12 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 PSB SubSeries 450 have Passive Radiator type enclosure. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or 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 Polk Monitor XT12's and PSB SubSeries 450's external dimensions. 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) whereas PSB SubSeries 450 has external dimensions of 401.0 x 413.0 x 453.0mm (15-3/4 x 16-1/4 x 17-13/16inch).
PSB SubSeries 450 is 17mm shorter and 32mm less deeper than Polk Monitor XT12 but it is also 5mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk Monitor XT12 and PSB SubSeries 450 in scale.
Comparison image of Polk Monitor XT12 and PSB SubSeries 450 Size and External Dimensions
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 XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2 and base area of the PSB SubSeries 450 is approximately 1870.9cm2 / 290.0inch2. The Monitor XT12 requires 6% more surface area than the SubSeries 450 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 Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs and the PSB SubSeries 450 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the SubSeries 450 15% heavier than the Monitor XT12.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor XT12 and SubSeries 450's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk Monitor XT12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Monitor XT12:
- Black powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
What's in the Box of PSB SubSeries 450?
Here are the items that come with the SubSeries 450:
- Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille
- 8-feet Power cord
- Owners Guide (En/Fr/Sp)
- Specifications sheet
- Warranty Card
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
1999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
401mm
vs
418mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1870cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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. Polk Monitor XT12 stands 32mm further into the room. Polk Monitor XT12 is 17mm taller.
| General |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
PSB SubSeries 450 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-160 Hz |
20-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Bi-laminate paper |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
418.0mm (16.5") |
401.0mm (15.8") |
| Width |
408.0mm (16.1") |
413.0mm (16.3") |
| Depth |
485.0mm (19.1") |
453.0mm (17.8") |
| Weight |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
1 Year |
A ported subwoofer against a passive radiator 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 | B | PSB SubSeries 450 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. |
| Amplifier power | B | PSB SubSeries 450 has the bigger amplifier - 400W against 50W RMS, about 9dB 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 | 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; PSB SubSeries 450 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Warranty | A | Polk Monitor XT12 carries 3 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | Polk Monitor XT12 costs less - $399 against $1,999, about 80% less. |
A Polk Monitor XT12 B PSB SubSeries 450
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?
PSB SubSeries 450 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 5x 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 $1,999 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.