In this review, we will be comparing PC13-Ultra and Monitor XT12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and 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 SVS PC13-Ultra and Polk Monitor XT12 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 SVS PC13-Ultraand Polk Monitor XT12 have a single woofer setup however the SVS PC13-Ultra's woofer is 13.5-inch whereas the Polk Monitor XT12 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PC13-Ultra has a frequency range of 15-200 Hz whereas Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 15Hz, the PC13-Ultra can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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
Both SVS PC13-Ultra and Polk Monitor XT12 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 SVS PC13-Ultra's and Polk Monitor XT12's external dimensions. SVS PC13-Ultra has external dimensions of 1194.0 x 422.0 x 422.0mm (47 x 16-5/8 x 16-5/8inch) whereas 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).
Polk Monitor XT12 is 14mm narrower and 776mm shorter than SVS PC13-Ultra but it is also 63mm deeper.
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 Monitor XT12 needs about 11% more floor or shelf area. Polk Monitor XT12 is 63mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. SVS PC13-Ultra is 776mm 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 SVS PC13-Ultra is approximately 1780.8cm2 / 276.0inch2 and base area of the Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2. The PC13-Ultra requires 10% less surface area than the Monitor XT12 which gives it a small advantage 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 SVS PC13-Ultra weighs 40.80kg / 89.8lbs and the Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the PC13-Ultra 130% heavier than the Monitor XT12.
Here is a comparison of how PC13-Ultra and Monitor XT12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
13.5 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
15 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1780cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Height |
418mm
vs
1194mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
1700USD
|
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 11% more floor area. Polk Monitor XT12 stands 63mm further into the room. SVS PC13-Ultra is 776mm taller.
| General |
SVS PC13-Ultra |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
| Brand |
SVS |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
50 watts |
| Frequency Response |
15-200 Hz |
24-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
3600-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13.5" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiberglass composite |
Bi-laminate paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1194.0mm (47") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
422.0mm (16.6") |
408.0mm (16.1") |
| Depth |
422.0mm (16.6") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
40.80kg (89.8lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
Different price classes - SVS PC13-Ultra costs roughly 4.3x what Polk Monitor XT12 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | SVS PC13-Ultra goes deeper - 15Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS PC13-Ultra has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 50W RMS, about 13dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | SVS PC13-Ultra moves more air: 13.5" against 12" is 1.27x the cone area, not the 1.13x 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 Monitor XT12 is about 61% 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. |
| Warranty | A | SVS PC13-Ultra 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 | B | Polk Monitor XT12 costs less - $399 against $1,700, about 77% less. |
A SVS PC13-Ultra B Polk Monitor XT12
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: SVS PC13-Ultra measures better, Polk Monitor XT12 costs about 77% 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 $399 each, two Polk Monitor XT12 cost about $798 against $1,700 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Polk Monitor XT12 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.