In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT12 and PSW10, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by 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 Polk Monitor XT12 and Polk PSW10 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 Polk Monitor XT12and Polk PSW10 have a single woofer setup however the Polk Monitor XT12's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Polk PSW10 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz whereas PSW10 has a frequency range of 40-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Monitor XT12 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the PSW10's min frequency of 40Hz.
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 Polk Monitor XT12 and Polk PSW10 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 Polk Monitor XT12's and Polk PSW10'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 Polk PSW10 has external dimensions of 366.0 x 356.0 x 412.0mm (14-3/8 x 14 x 16-3/16inch).
Polk Monitor XT12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 52mm wider, 52mm taller and 73mm deeper than Polk PSW10.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk Monitor XT12 and Polk PSW10 in scale.
Comparison image of Polk Monitor XT12 and Polk PSW10 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 Polk PSW10 is approximately 1466.7cm2 / 227.3inch2. The Monitor XT12 requires 35% more surface area than the PSW10 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 Polk PSW10 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the Monitor XT12 50% heavier than the PSW10.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor XT12 and PSW10'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 Polk PSW10?
Here are the items that come with the PSW10:
- Black powered subwoofer
- Grille
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
366mm
vs
418mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1466cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
399USD
|
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 35% more floor area. Polk Monitor XT12 stands 73mm further into the room. Polk Monitor XT12 is 52mm taller.
| General |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
Polk Audio PSW10 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
50 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-160 Hz |
40-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Bi-laminate paper |
Polymer Composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
418.0mm (16.5") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
408.0mm (16.1") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
485.0mm (19.1") |
412.0mm (16.2") |
| Weight |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Different price classes - Polk Monitor XT12 costs roughly 1.6x what Polk PSW10 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Polk Monitor XT12 goes deeper - 24Hz against 40Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (50W vs 50W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | A | Polk Monitor XT12 moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Polk PSW10 is about 35% 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 PSW10 costs less - $249 against $399, about 38% less. |
A Polk Monitor XT12 B Polk PSW10
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?
The usual trade-off: Polk Monitor XT12 measures better, Polk PSW10 costs about 38% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $249 each, two Polk PSW10 cost about $498 against $399 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Polk PSW10 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.