In this review, we will be comparing Radius 200 and ES30, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Monitor Audio and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Radius 200 and Polk ES30 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Radius 200 | Polk ES30 |
|---|
| Brand | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" gold dome C-CAM | 1" High-res dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4" C-CAM | 2 x 5.5" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-35k Hz | 55-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-150 watts | 20-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.59kg / 7.9lbs | 8.64kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 4-15/16" x 13" x 6-3/8"
126.0 x 331.0 x 162.0mm | 7-1/2" x 20-1/16" x 10-5/8"
191.0 x 510.0 x 270.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Monitor Audio Radius 200 and Polk ES30 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Monitor Audio Radius 200 |
Polk ES30 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Radius 200 and ES30 are 2-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Radius 200Polk ES30
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Radius 200 |
Polk ES30 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
Radius 200 features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter and 2 x 4" C-CAM Woofer. On the other hand, the ES30 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance Woofer.
Frequency Response
Radius 200 has a frequency range of 60-35k Hz whereas ES30 has a frequency range of 55-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the ES30 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Radius 200's min frequency of 60Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Radius 200 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the ES30 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Radius 200 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the ES30's is rated at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Polk ES30 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Radius 200, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Radius 200 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas ES30 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Radius 200.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Radius 200 features 5-Way post type posts and ES30 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Radius 200's 5-Way post terminals
Polk ES30's 5-Way post terminals
Polk ES30 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 Monitor Audio Radius 200's and Polk ES30's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Radius 200 has external dimensions of 126.0 x 331.0 x 162.0mm (4-15/16 x 13 x 6-3/8inch) whereas Polk ES30 has external dimensions of 191.0 x 510.0 x 270.0mm (7-1/2 x 20-1/16 x 10-5/8inch).
Polk ES30 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 179mm wider, 65mm taller and 108mm deeper than Monitor Audio Radius 200.
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 Monitor Audio Radius 200 is approximately 536.2cm2 / 83.1inch2 and base area of the Polk ES30 is approximately 1377.0cm2 / 213.4inch2. The Radius 200 requires 61% less surface area than the ES30 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Monitor Audio Radius 200 weighs 3.59kg / 7.9lbs and the Polk ES30 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the ES30 141% heavier than the Radius 200.
Here is a comparison of how Radius 200 and ES30's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Radius 200?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Radius 200:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Rubber feet
- Grille removal tool
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of Polk ES30?
Here are the items that come with the ES30:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (attached)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Height |
126mm
vs
191mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
536cm2
vs
1377cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
35k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
475USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Monitor Audio Radius 200 |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-150 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-35k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
C-CAM |
mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
gold dome C-CAM |
High-res dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
126.0mm (5") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Width |
331.0mm (13") |
510.0mm (20.1") |
| Depth |
162.0mm (6.4") |
270.0mm (10.6") |
| Weight |
3.59kg (7.9lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
White |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Polk ES30 is the newer design, against a 2016 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Polk ES30 digs deeper - 55Hz against 60Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Polk ES30 is more sensitive (89dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Polk ES30 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (150W vs 125W). |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Radius 200 is easier to place; Polk ES30 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Polk ES30 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Polk ES30 is cheaper - $299 against $475, about 37% less. |
A Monitor Audio Radius 200 B Polk ES30
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 speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Polk ES30 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Monitor Audio Radius 200 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 60Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Polk ES30 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Monitor Audio Radius 200 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.