In this review, we will be comparing R400 and Apex A40, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Polk Audio and Monitor Audio . Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk R400 and Monitor Audio Apex A40 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Polk R400 and Monitor Audio Apex A40 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Polk R400 and Monitor Audio Apex A40 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 R400 and Apex A40 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Polk R400 |
Monitor Audio Apex A40 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
R400 features a 1" Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Polypropylene Turbine Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the Apex A40 features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" C-CAM with RST® (Rigid Surface Technology) Woofer .
Frequency Response
R400 has a frequency range of 48-39K Hz whereas Apex A40 has a frequency range of 50-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the R400 can go slightly deeper then the Apex A40's min frequency of 50Hz.
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
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
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
R400 and Apex A40 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R400 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the Apex A40's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Apex A40 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk R400, 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. 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.
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
R400 features 5-Way post type posts and Apex A40 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Polk R400's Binding post terminals
Polk R400 dual Port
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 R400's and Monitor Audio Apex A40's external dimensions. Polk R400 has external dimensions of 199.0 x 618.0 x 372.0mm ( 7-13/16 x 24-5/16 x 14-5/8inch) whereas Monitor Audio Apex A40 has external dimensions of 140.0 x 610.0 x 121.0mm ( 5-1/2 x 24 x 4-3/4inch) .
Polk R400 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 8mm wider, 59mm taller and 251mm deeper than Monitor Audio Apex A40.
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 R400 is approximately 2299.0cm2 / 356.3inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Apex A40 is approximately 738.1cm2 / 114.4inch2. The R400 requires 211% more surface area than the Apex A40 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 R400 weighs 14.91kg / 32.8lbs and the Monitor Audio Apex A40 weighs 6.91kg / 15.2lbs. This makes the R400 116% heavier than the Apex A40.
Here is a comparison of how R400 and Apex A40'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 R400?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R400:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrilleOwners ManualOnline Registration
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Apex A40?
Here are the items that come with the Apex A40:
LCR loudspeakerGrilleBracket (pre-installed)4 Self-adhesive rubber feet2 Rubber insertsHex-keySet Up GuideImportant Safety InstructionsImportant InformationMounting Template
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
39k Hz
vs
35k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
649USD
vs
1125USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
140mm
vs
199mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
738cm2 (610x121mm)
vs
2299cm2 (618x372mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Polk Audio Reserve R400 |
Monitor Audio Apex A40 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-200 watts |
50-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.1 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
48-39K Hz |
50-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene Turbine Cone |
C-CAM with RST® (Rigid Surface Technology) |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Pinnacle Ring Radiator |
gold dome C-CAM |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
N/A" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
199.0mm (7.8") |
140.0mm (5.5") |
| Width |
618.0mm (24.3") |
610.0mm (24") |
| Depth |
372.0mm (14.6") |
121.0mm (4.8") |
| Weight |
14.91kg (32.8lbs) |
6.91kg (15.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black, Walnut |
Gloss White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |