In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT12 and Concerta2 B10, 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 Concerta2 B10 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 Revel Concerta2 B10 have a single woofer setup however the Polk Monitor XT12's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Revel Concerta2 B10 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz whereas Concerta2 B10 has a frequency range of 35-150 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 Concerta2 B10's min frequency of 35Hz.
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 Concerta2 B10 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 Concerta2 B10'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 Concerta2 B10 has external dimensions of 420.0 x 377.0 x 440.0mm (16-1/2 x 14-13/16 x 17-5/16inch).
Revel Concerta2 B10 is 31mm narrower and 45mm less deeper than Polk Monitor XT12 but it is also 2mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk Monitor XT12 and Revel Concerta2 B10 in scale.
Comparison image of Polk Monitor XT12 and Revel Concerta2 B10 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 Concerta2 B10 is approximately 1658.8cm2 / 257.1inch2. The Monitor XT12 requires 19% more surface area than the Concerta2 B10 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 Concerta2 B10 weighs 21.36kg / 47lbs. This makes the Concerta2 B10 20% heavier than the Monitor XT12.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor XT12 and Concerta2 B10'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 Concerta2 B10?
Here are the items that come with the Concerta2 B10:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- 4 Spike feet
- Owners Manual
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
418mm
vs
420mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
1650USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Base Surface Area |
1658cm2
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 19% more floor area. Polk Monitor XT12 stands 45mm further into the room.
| General |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
Revel Concerta2 B10 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
800 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-160 Hz |
35-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Bi-laminate paper |
Anodized aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
418.0mm (16.5") |
420.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
408.0mm (16.1") |
377.0mm (14.8") |
| Depth |
485.0mm (19.1") |
440.0mm (17.3") |
| Weight |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
21.36kg (47lbs) |
| 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 Concerta2 B10 costs roughly 4.1x 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 35Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | B | Revel Concerta2 B10 has the bigger amplifier - 800W against 50W RMS, about 12dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| 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. |
| 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 Concerta2 B10 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 $1,650, about 76% less. |
A Polk Monitor XT12 B Revel Concerta2 B10
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?
Polk Monitor XT12 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. 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 $1,650 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.