In this review, we will be comparing ES20 and L82 Classic, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and JBL.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk ES20 and JBL L82 Classic first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Polk ES20 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer
- 41-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 86 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-125watts
- Weight:7.73kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 375.0" x 8-9/16" x 13-13/16"( 375.0 x 218.0 x 351.0mm )
JBL L82 Classic Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Dome Tweeter
- 8" Pulp Woofer
- 44-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:25-125watts
- Weight:12.80kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 472.8" x 11.0" x 12.4"( 472.8 x 281.0 x 315.5mm )
What size room are the Polk ES20 and JBL L82 Classic 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 ES20 |
JBL L82 Classic |
| 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 ES20 and JBL L82 Classic 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 ES20 and L82 Classic are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Polk ES20 |
JBL L82 Classic |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 8-inch
|
ES20 features a 1" Terylene Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the L82 Classic features a 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" Pulp Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1700Hz.
Frequency Response
ES20 has a frequency range of 41-40k Hz whereas L82 Classic has a frequency range of 44-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 41Hz, the ES20 can go slightly deeper then the L82 Classic's min frequency of 44Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf 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
ES20 and L82 Classic have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. ES20 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the L82 Classic's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the JBL L82 Classic a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk ES20, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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
ES20 features Five-way gold-plated binding posts type posts and L82 Classic has a Five-way gold-plated binding posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
JBL L82 Classic's Five-way gold-plated binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
ES20 has a rear firing port whereas L82 Classic has a front firing ports. JBL L82 Classic's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Polk ES20 with its rear-firing 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 ES20's and JBL L82 Classic's external dimensions. Polk ES20 has external dimensions of 375.0 x 218.0 x 351.0mm ( 14-3/4 x 8-9/16 x 13-13/16inch) whereas JBL L82 Classic has external dimensions of 472.8 x 281.0 x 315.5mm ( 18.6 x 11.0 x 12.4inch) .
Polk ES20 is 63mm narrower and 97.8mm shorter than JBL L82 Classic but it is also 35.5mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk ES20 and JBL L82 Classic in scale.
Comparison image of Polk ES20 and JBL L82 Classic Size and External Dimensions
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 ES20 is approximately 765.2cm2 / 118.6inch2 and base area of the JBL L82 Classic is approximately 886.6cm2 / 137.4inch2. The ES20 requires 14% less surface area than the L82 Classic 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 ES20 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs and the JBL L82 Classic weighs 12.80kg / 28.2lbs. This makes the L82 Classic 66% heavier than the ES20.
Here is a comparison of how ES20 and L82 Classic's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk ES20?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ES20:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grille (attached)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
What's in the Box of JBL L82 Classic?
Here are the items that come with the L82 Classic:
Bookshelf loudspeaker
Grille
Owner's Manual
 Low Frequency Response |
41 Hz
vs
44 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
375mm
vs
472mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
765cm2
vs
886cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
2750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
| General |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 |
JBL L82 Classic |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-125 watts |
25-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
41-40k Hz |
44-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
Pulp |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
1700Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
375.0mm (14.8") |
472.8mm (18.6") |
| Width |
218.0mm (8.6") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Depth |
351.0mm (13.8") |
315.5mm (12.4") |
| Weight |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
12.80kg (28.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black,White,Walnut |
Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
15.5" |
| 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 |