SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    • Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    • Passive Center Channel Speakers
    • Passive In-wall Speakers
    • All Passive Speakers
    • Powered Subwoofers
    • Powered Stereo Speakers
  • AMPLIFIERS
  • SMART FIND

Polk XT35 vs Revel Performa3 C205 Comparison

x
Speaker to replace
Change

Polk XT35

Passive Center Channel | 57-40k Hz

Polk Audio Monitor XT35
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
Revel Performa3 C205

Passive Center Channel | 80Hz- 20kHz

Revel Performa3 C205
CHECK PRICE
Polk XT35 Polk XT35
See at AMAZON
Revel Performa3 C205 Revel Performa3 C205
See at AMAZON
Polk XT35
See at AMAZON
Revel Performa3 C205
See at AMAZON
Polk XT35 vs Revel Performa3 C205 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT35 and Revel Performa3 C205, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Polk Audio and Revel.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Polk XT35 and Revel Performa3 C205 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Polk XT35 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" High-res dome Tweeter
  • 4 x 3" bi-laminate paper cone Woofer
  • 57-40k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-200watts
  • Weight:6.36kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 107.0" x 24-7/16" x 5-9/16"( 107.0 x 621.0 x 142.0mm )

Revel Performa3 C205 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" dome with proprietary acoustic lens and waveguide Tweeter
  • 2 x 5.25" aluminum cone with cast frames Woofer
  • 80Hz- 20kHz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:50-120watts
  • Weight:11.86kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 207.0" x 21-1/16" x 11-9/16"( 207.0 x 535.0 x 294.0mm )

What size room are the Polk XT35 and Revel Performa3 C205 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 Revel Performa3 C205
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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Polk XT35 and Revel Performa3 C205 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both Monitor XT35 and Revel Performa3 C205 are 2-way speakers.

Driver Polk XT35 Revel Performa3 C205
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-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 Revel Performa3 C205 features a 1" aluminum dome with proprietary acoustic lens and waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" aluminum cone with cast frames Woofer .

Frequency Response

Monitor XT35 has a frequency range of 57-40k Hz whereas Revel Performa3 C205 has a frequency range of 80Hz- 20kHz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the Monitor XT35 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Revel Performa3 C205's min frequency of 80Hz.

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 Center Channel class in our database.

Low Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Monitor XT35
Revel Performa3 C205
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Polk XT35
Revel Performa3 C205
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

Monitor XT35 and Revel Performa3 C205 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 Revel Performa3 C205's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Revel Performa3 C205 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk XT35, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Monitor XT35
Revel Performa3 C205
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

Monitor XT35 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Revel Performa3 C205 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Monitor XT35.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Monitor XT35 features Binding post type posts and Revel Performa3 C205 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Polk XT35 Terminals
Polk XT35's 5-Way post terminals

Revel Performa3 C205Binding post Terminals
Revel Performa3 C205's Binding post terminals

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Revel Performa3 C205'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 Revel Performa3 C205 has external dimensions of 207.0 x 535.0 x 294.0mm ( 8-1/8 x 21-1/16 x 11-9/16inch) .

Polk XT35 is 100mm shorter and 152mm less deeper than Revel Performa3 C205 but it is also 86mm 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 Revel Performa3 C205 is approximately 1572.9cm2 / 243.8inch2. The Monitor XT35 requires 44% less surface area than the Revel Performa3 C205 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 Revel Performa3 C205 weighs 11.86kg / 26.1lbs. This makes the Revel Performa3 C205 86% heavier than the Monitor XT35.

Here is a comparison of how Monitor XT35 and Revel Performa3 C205's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Polk XT35
Revel Performa3 C205
Min
Average
Max

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 Revel Performa3 C205?

    Here are the items that come with the Revel Performa3 C205:
  • Center-channel loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 2 Short feet
  • 2 Long feet
  • Owners Manual

  • Reasons to choose Polk Audio Monitor XT35 over Revel Performa3 C205
    Max Input Power 200 watts vs 120 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Number of Woofers 4 vs 2 More woofers
    Low Frequency Response 57 Hz vs 80 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 40k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 107mm vs 207mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 881cm2 vs 1572cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 299USD vs 1100USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Revel Performa3 C205 over Polk Audio Monitor XT35

    Sensitivity 89 dB vs 87 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 3 inches Larger woofer
    Polk XT35 vs Revel Performa3 C205 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Polk Audio Monitor XT35 Revel Performa3 C205
    Brand Polk Audio Revel
    Speaker Type Low-profile center channel speaker Center channel speaker
    Power Range 25-200 watts 50-120 watts
    Sensitivity 87 dB 89 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 57-40k Hz 80Hz- 20kHz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 4 2
    Woofer Size 3" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition bi-laminate paper cone aluminum cone with cast frames
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type High-res dome dome with proprietary acoustic lens and waveguide
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver N/A" No
    Firing Direction rear n/a
    Physical Specs
    Height 107.0mm (4.2") 207.0mm (8.1")
    Width 621.0mm (24.4") 535.0mm (21.1")
    Depth 142.0mm (5.6") 294.0mm (11.6")
    Weight 6.36kg (14lbs) 11.86kg (26.1lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Passive Radiator
    Available Colors Black Gloss Black
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

    Most Popular Speakers
    Klipsch Reference R-51M
    Klipsch R-51M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    3-way | 89 dB | 4 ohms
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    2-way | 87 dB | 6 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
    B&W 606 S2
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    KEF Q150
    KEF Q150
    2-way | 86 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Klipsch RP-500M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    2-way | 87 dB | 8 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606
    B&W 606
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    Copyright © 2025 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

    Report a Correction