In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT35 and Alpha C10, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Polk Audio and PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk XT35 and PSB Alpha C10 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Polk XT35 | PSB Alpha C10 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" High-res dome | 3/4" dome with front waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | 4 x 3" bi-laminate paper cone | 2 x 5.25" textured polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 57-40k Hz | 55-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-200 watts | 15-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.36kg / 14lbs | 7.73kg / 17lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 4-3/16" x 24-7/16" x 5-9/16"
107.0 x 621.0 x 142.0mm | 6-3/4" x 17-3/4" x 10"
172.0 x 451.0 x 254.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Polk XT35 and PSB Alpha C10 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* |
Polk XT35 |
PSB Alpha C10 |
| 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.
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Drivers
Both Monitor XT35 and Alpha C10 are 2-way speakers.
Polk XT35PSB Alpha C10
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Polk XT35 |
PSB Alpha C10 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
3/4-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 3-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Monitor XT35 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 4 x 3" bi-laminate paper cone Woofer. On the other hand, the Alpha C10 features a 3/4" anodized aluminum dome with front waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" textured polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT35 has a frequency range of 57-40k Hz whereas Alpha C10 has a frequency range of 55-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Alpha C10 can go slightly deeper then the Monitor XT35's min frequency of 57Hz.
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
Monitor XT35 and Alpha C10 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Monitor XT35 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Alpha C10's is at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the PSB Alpha C10 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk XT35, 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.
Monitor XT35 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Alpha C10 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Monitor XT35.
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
Monitor XT35 features 5-Way post type posts and Alpha C10 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Polk XT35's 5-Way post terminals
PSB Alpha C10's 5-Way post terminals
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 XT35's and PSB Alpha C10's external dimensions. Polk XT35 has external dimensions of 107.0 x 621.0 x 142.0mm (4-3/16 x 24-7/16 x 5-9/16inch) whereas PSB Alpha C10 has external dimensions of 172.0 x 451.0 x 254.0mm (6-3/4 x 17-3/4 x 10inch).
Polk XT35 is 65mm shorter and 112mm less deeper than PSB Alpha C10 but it is also 170mm wider.
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 XT35 is approximately 881.8cm2 / 136.7inch2 and base area of the PSB Alpha C10 is approximately 1145.5cm2 / 177.6inch2. The Monitor XT35 requires 23% less surface area than the Alpha C10 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 Polk XT35 weighs 6.36kg / 14lbs and the PSB Alpha C10 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the Alpha C10 22% heavier than the Monitor XT35.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor XT35 and Alpha C10'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 Polk XT35?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Monitor XT35:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (attached)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
- Wall-Mount Template
What's in the Box of PSB Alpha C10?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha C10:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
107mm
vs
172mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
881cm2
vs
1145cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
449USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
57 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Polk Audio Monitor XT35 |
PSB Alpha C10 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Low-profile center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
25-200 watts |
15-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
57-40k Hz |
55-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
3" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
bi-laminate paper cone |
textured polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
3/4" |
| Tweeter Type |
High-res dome |
dome with front waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
107.0mm (4.2") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
| Width |
621.0mm (24.4") |
451.0mm (17.8") |
| Depth |
142.0mm (5.6") |
254.0mm (10") |
| Weight |
6.36kg (14lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
evenly matched |
Much the same reach (57Hz vs 55Hz). |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
PSB Alpha C10 is more sensitive (90dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
A |
Polk XT35 takes more power (200W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Polk XT35 is easier to place; PSB Alpha C10 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price |
A |
Polk XT35 is cheaper - $299 against $449, about 33% less. |
A Polk XT35
B PSB Alpha C10
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. In a large or open-plan room, PSB Alpha C10 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Polk XT35 is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, PSB Alpha C10 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.