In this review, we will be comparing S20 and Chorus 706, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and Focal.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk S20 and Focal Chorus 706 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Polk S20 | Focal Chorus 706 |
|---|
| Brand | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 | Focal
France · founded 1979 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" inverted dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene | 6.5" Polyglass |
|---|
| Frequency response | 39-40k Hz | 55-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-125 watts | 25 - 120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.73kg / 17lbs | 8.20kg / 18lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.8" x 8.5" x 13.7"
376.0 x 216.0 x 350.0mm | 15.4" x 8.7" x 10.4"
390.0 x 220.0 x 263.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Polk S20 and Focal Chorus 706 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 S20 |
Focal Chorus 706 |
| 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.
Drivers
Both S20 and Chorus 706 are 2-way speakers.
Polk S20Focal Chorus 706
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 S20 |
Focal Chorus 706 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
S20 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 Chorus 706 features a 1" TNV2 AI/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polyglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz.
Frequency Response
S20 has a frequency range of 39-40k Hz whereas Chorus 706 has a frequency range of 55-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 39Hz, the S20 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Chorus 706's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
S20 and Chorus 706 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. S20 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Chorus 706's is at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Focal Chorus 706 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk S20, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
S20 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS, whereas Chorus 706 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 5 watts less than the S20.
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
S20 features Binding post type posts and Chorus 706 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
S20 has a rear firing port whereas Chorus 706 has a front firing ports. Focal Chorus 706's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Polk S20 with its rear-firing port.
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 S20's and Focal Chorus 706's external dimensions. Polk S20 has external dimensions of 376.0 x 216.0 x 350.0mm (14.8 x 8.5 x 13.7inch) whereas Focal Chorus 706 has external dimensions of 390.0 x 220.0 x 263.0mm (15.4 x 8.7 x 10.4inch).
Polk S20 is 4mm narrower and 14mm shorter than Focal Chorus 706 but it is also 87mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk S20 and Focal Chorus 706 in scale.
Comparison image of Polk S20 and Focal Chorus 706 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 S20 is approximately 756.0cm2 / 117.2inch2 and base area of the Focal Chorus 706 is approximately 578.6cm2 / 89.7inch2. The S20 requires 31% more surface area than the Chorus 706 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Polk S20 and Focal Chorus 706 on a Media Console
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 S20 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs and the Focal Chorus 706 weighs 8.20kg / 18lbs. This makes the Chorus 706 6% heavier than the S20.
Here is a comparison of how S20 and Chorus 706'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 S20?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of S20:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (attached)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
What's in the Box of Focal Chorus 706?
Here are the items that come with the Chorus 706:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Cloth grilles (attached)
- User manual
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
39 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
376mm
vs
390mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
439USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Base Surface Area |
578cm2
vs
756cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Polk Audio Signature S20 |
Focal Chorus 706 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-125 watts |
25 - 120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
39-40k Hz |
55-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
Polyglass |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
inverted dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
3000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
376.0mm (14.8") |
390.0mm (15.4") |
| Width |
216.0mm (8.5") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Depth |
350.0mm (13.8") |
263.0mm (10.4") |
| Weight |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
8.20kg (18lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Meddite MDF |
Lacquer/Leatherette |
| Available Colors |
Black, Walnut, Brown Walnut |
Rosewood, Walnut, Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 |
A generation apart: Polk S20 is the newer design, against a 2012 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Polk S20 digs deeper - 39Hz against 55Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Focal Chorus 706 is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (125W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | Focal Chorus 706 is easier to place; Polk S20 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Polk S20 sits in a wider range (6 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Polk S20 is cheaper - $299 against $439, about 32% less. |
A Polk S20 B Focal Chorus 706
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system 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. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Focal Chorus 706 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.