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Polk XT70 vs Klipsch R-820F Comparison

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Polk XT70

Passive Floor-standing | 35-40k Hz

Polk Audio Monitor XT70
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Klipsch R-820F

Passive Floor-standing | 35-21k Hz

Klipsch Reference R-820F
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Polk XT70 Polk XT70
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Klipsch R-820F Klipsch R-820F
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Polk XT70
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Klipsch R-820F
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Polk XT70 vs Klipsch R-820F Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing XT70 and R-820F, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Polk Audio and Klipsch.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Polk XT70 and Klipsch R-820F first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Polk XT70 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 6.5" Bi-laminate paper Woofer
  • 35-40k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-200watts
  • Weight:15.91kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1031.0" x 10-13/16" x 13-3/8"( 1031.0 x 275.0 x 340.0mm )

Klipsch R-820F Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tweeter
  • 2 x 8" Copper-spun IMG Woofer
  • 35-21k Hz Frequency Response
  • 97 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:up to 150watts
  • Weight:24.55kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1096.0" x 10-7/8" x 16-3/4"( 1096.0 x 277.0 x 426.0mm )

What size room are the Polk XT70 and Klipsch R-820F 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 XT70 Klipsch R-820F
Near-field Bad Bad
Small Room Poor Poor
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Good Good
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 XT70 and Klipsch R-820F 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 XT70 and R-820F are 2-way speakers.

Driver Polk XT70 Klipsch R-820F
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 6.5-inch 2 x 8-inch

XT70 features a 1" Terylene dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Bi-laminate paper Woofer . On the other hand, the R-820F features a 1" Tweeter and 2 x 8" Copper-spun IMG Woofer .

Frequency Response

XT70 has a frequency range of 35-40k Hz whereas R-820F has a frequency range of 35-21k Hz.

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 Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

XT70
R-820F
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

Polk XT70
Klipsch R-820F
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

XT70 and R-820F have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. XT70 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the R-820F's is at 97 dB. This 11 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-820F a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk XT70, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

XT70
R-820F
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.

XT70 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas R-820F has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the XT70.

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

XT70 features Post type posts and R-820F has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

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 XT70's and Klipsch R-820F's external dimensions. Polk XT70 has external dimensions of 1031.0 x 275.0 x 340.0mm ( 40-9/16 x 10-13/16 x 13-3/8inch) whereas Klipsch R-820F has external dimensions of 1096.0 x 277.0 x 426.0mm ( 43-1/8 x 10-7/8 x 16-3/4inch) .

Klipsch R-820F is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 2mm wider, 65mm taller and 86mm deeper than Polk XT70.

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 XT70 is approximately 935.0cm2 / 144.9inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-820F is approximately 1180.0cm2 / 182.9inch2. The XT70 requires 21% less surface area than the R-820F 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 XT70 weighs 15.91kg / 35lbs and the Klipsch R-820F weighs 24.55kg / 54lbs. This makes the R-820F 54% heavier than the XT70.

Here is a comparison of how XT70 and R-820F's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Polk XT70
Klipsch R-820F
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Polk XT70?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of XT70:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • Grille (attached)
  • Owners Manual
  • Online Product Registration
  • What's in the Box of Klipsch R-820F?

    Here are the items that come with the R-820F:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • Grille (installed)
  • 2 Feet
  • 4 Screws
  • Quick Setup Guide
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Warranty Information
  • Loudspeaker Feet note

  • Reasons to choose Polk Audio Monitor XT70 over Klipsch Reference R-820F
    Max Input Power 200 watts vs 150 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    High Frequency Response 40k Hz vs 21k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Passive Radiator two 8-inch vs None Increases the bass performance
    Dolby Atmos Drivers Optional vs No Dolby Atmos Compatibility
    Height 1031mm vs 1096mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 935cm2 vs 1180cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 698USD vs 1198USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference R-820F over Polk Audio Monitor XT70

    Sensitivity 97 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 8 inches vs 6.5 inches Larger woofer
    Polk XT70 vs Klipsch R-820F Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Polk Audio Monitor XT70 Klipsch Reference R-820F
    Brand Polk Audio Klipsch
    Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Floor-standing speaker
    Power Range 25-200 watts up to 150 watts
    Sensitivity 86 dB 97 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 35-40k Hz 35-21k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 2
    Woofer Size 6.5" 8"
    Woofer Composition Bi-laminate paper Copper-spun IMG
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type dome n/a
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Physical Specs
    Height 1031.0mm (40.6") 1096.0mm (43.1")
    Width 275.0mm (10.8") 277.0mm (10.9")
    Depth 340.0mm (13.4") 426.0mm (16.8")
    Weight 15.91kg (35lbs) 24.55kg (54lbs)
    Enclosure Passive Radiator Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF, Vinyl MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
    Available Colors Black Black
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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