In this review, we will be comparing Elite ES12 and Elite ES8, 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 Signature Elite ES12 and Polk Signature Elite ES8 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 Signature Elite ES12and Polk Signature Elite ES8 have a single woofer setup however the Polk Signature Elite ES12's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Polk Signature Elite ES8 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Elite ES12 has a frequency range of 22-250 Hz whereas Elite ES8 has a frequency range of 32-180 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 22Hz, the Elite ES12 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Elite ES8's min frequency of 32Hz.
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
Polk Signature Elite ES12
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Polk Signature Elite ES12
Cabinet Type
Both Polk Signature Elite ES12 and Polk Signature Elite ES8 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.
Polk Signature Elite ES12 double Port
Polk Signature Elite ES8 Port
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 Signature Elite ES12's and Polk Signature Elite ES8's external dimensions. Polk Signature Elite ES12 has external dimensions of 231.0 x 364.0 x 532.0mm (9-1/16inch x 14-5/16inch x 20-15/16inch) whereas Polk Signature Elite ES8 has external dimensions of 385.0 x 326.0 x 437.0mm (15-1/8inch x 12-13/16inch x 17-3/16inch).
Polk Signature Elite ES8 is 38mm narrower and 95mm less deeper than Polk Signature Elite ES12 but it is also 154mm taller.
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.
Polk Signature Elite ES12 needs about 36% more floor or shelf area. Polk Signature Elite ES12 is 95mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Polk Signature Elite ES8 is 154mm 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 Signature Elite ES12 is approximately 1936.5cm2 / 300.2inch2 and base area of the Polk Signature Elite ES8 is approximately 1424.6cm2 / 220.8inch2. The Elite ES12 requires 36% more surface area than the Elite ES8 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 Signature Elite ES12 weighs 21.64kg / 47.6lbs and the Polk Signature Elite ES8 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the Elite ES12 22% heavier than the Elite ES8.
Here is a comparison of how Elite ES12 and Elite ES8's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Polk Signature Elite ES12
What's in the Box of Polk Signature Elite ES12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Elite ES12:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration sheet
What's in the Box of Polk Signature Elite ES8?
Here are the items that come with the Elite ES8:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration sheet
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
22 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
180 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
231mm
vs
385mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1424cm2
vs
1936cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
449USD
vs
849USD
|
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 Signature Elite ES12 needs about 36% more floor area. Polk Signature Elite ES12 stands 95mm further into the room. Polk Signature Elite ES8 is 154mm taller.
| General |
Polk Signature Elite ES12 |
Polk Signature Elite ES8 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
100 watts |
| Frequency Response |
22-250 Hz |
32-180 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mineral-filled polypropylene |
Mineral-filled polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
231.0mm (9.1") |
385.0mm (15.2") |
| Width |
364.0mm (14.3") |
326.0mm (12.8") |
| Depth |
532.0mm (20.9") |
437.0mm (17.2") |
| Weight |
21.64kg (47.6lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| 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 |
Siblings in Polk Audio's Signature Elite range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Polk Signature Elite ES12 goes deeper - 22Hz against 32Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | A | Polk Signature Elite ES12 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 100W RMS, about 4.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Polk Signature Elite ES12 moves more air: 12" against 8" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x 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 Signature Elite ES12 is about 18% 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 Signature Elite ES8 costs less - $449 against $849, about 47% less. |
A Polk Signature Elite ES12 B Polk Signature Elite ES8
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 Signature Elite ES12 measures better, Polk Signature Elite ES8 costs about 47% 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 $449 each, two Polk Signature Elite ES8 cost about $898 against $849 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.