In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT12 and B1, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Polk Audio and Revel. 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 Revel B1 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 Revel B1 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 B1 has a frequency range of 36-150 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 B1's min frequency of 36Hz.
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 Revel B1 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 Revel B1'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 Revel B1 has external dimensions of 451.0 x 402.0 x 391.0mm (17-3/4 x 15-13/16 x 15-3/8inch).
Revel B1 is 6mm narrower and 94mm less deeper than Polk Monitor XT12 but it is also 33mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk Monitor XT12 and Revel B1 in scale.
Comparison image of Polk Monitor XT12 and Revel B1 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 Revel B1 is approximately 1571.8cm2 / 243.6inch2. The Monitor XT12 requires 26% more surface area than the B1 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 Revel B1 weighs 23.18kg / 51lbs. This makes the B1 31% heavier than the Monitor XT12.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor XT12 and B1'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 Revel B1?
Here are the items that come with the B1:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- 16-feet Mono-RCA cable
- Owners Manual
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
418mm
vs
451mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Base Surface Area |
1571cm2
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.
Polk Monitor XT12 needs about 26% more floor area. Polk Monitor XT12 stands 94mm further into the room. Revel B1 is 33mm taller.
| General |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
Revel B1 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
250 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-160 Hz |
36-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
250-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Bi-laminate paper |
Micro Ceramic Composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
418.0mm (16.5") |
451.0mm (17.8") |
| Width |
408.0mm (16.1") |
402.0mm (15.8") |
| Depth |
485.0mm (19.1") |
391.0mm (15.4") |
| Weight |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
23.18kg (51lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
Different price classes - Revel B1 costs roughly 2.5x what Polk Monitor XT12 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 36Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | B | Revel B1 has the bigger amplifier - 250W against 50W RMS, about 7dB 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 | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | 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. |
| Warranty | B | Revel B1 carries 5 years on parts against 3 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 $999, about 60% less. |
A Polk Monitor XT12 B Revel B1
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. 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. 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 $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.