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Polk S20 vs Revel M126Be Comparison

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Polk S20

Passive Bookshelf | 39-40k Hz

Polk Audio Signature S20
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Revel M126Be

Passive Bookshelf | 54-44k Hz

Revel PerformaBe M126Be
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Polk S20 Polk S20
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Revel M126Be Revel M126Be
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Polk S20
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Revel M126Be
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Polk S20 vs Revel M126Be Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing S20 and M126Be, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and Revel.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Polk S20 and Revel M126Be first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Polk S20 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer
  • 39-40k Hz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-125watts
  • Weight:7.73kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 376.0" x 8.5" x 13.7"( 376.0 x 216.0 x 350.0mm )

Revel M126Be Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" DCC Aluminum Woofer
  • 54-44k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:50-150watts
  • Weight:10.00kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 388.0" x 8-5/16" x 10-5/16"( 388.0 x 212.0 x 262.0mm )

What size room are the Polk S20 and Revel M126Be 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 Revel M126Be
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 S20 and Revel M126Be 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 S20 and M126Be are 2-way speakers.

Driver Polk S20 Revel M126Be
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 M126Be features a 1" beryllium Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" DCC Aluminum Woofer .

Frequency Response

S20 has a frequency range of 39-40k Hz whereas M126Be has a frequency range of 54-44k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 39Hz, the S20 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the M126Be's min frequency of 54Hz.

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

S20
M126Be
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Polk S20
Revel M126Be
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

S20 and M126Be have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. S20 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the M126Be's is at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Polk S20 a more sensitive speaker compared to Revel M126Be, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

S20
M126Be
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.

S20 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S20 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the M126Be.

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

S20 features Binding post type posts and M126Be has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both S20 and M126Be have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.

If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.

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 S20's and Revel M126Be'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 Revel M126Be has external dimensions of 388.0 x 212.0 x 262.0mm ( 15-1/4 x 8-5/16 x 10-5/16inch) .

Revel M126Be is 4mm narrower and 88mm less deeper than Polk S20 but it is also 12mm taller.

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 Revel M126Be is approximately 555.4cm2 / 86.1inch2. The S20 requires 36% more surface area than the M126Be 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 S20 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs and the Revel M126Be weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the M126Be 29% heavier than the S20.

Here is a comparison of how S20 and M126Be's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Polk S20
Revel M126Be
Min
Average
Max

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 Revel M126Be?

    Here are the items that come with the M126Be:
  • Bookshelf loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • Foam port plug
  • Owners Manual

  • Reasons to choose Polk Audio Signature S20 over Revel PerformaBe M126Be
    Sensitivity 88 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Low Frequency Response 39 Hz vs 54 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Height 376mm vs 388mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

    Reasons to choose Revel PerformaBe M126Be over Polk Audio Signature S20

    Max Input Power 150 watts vs 125 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    High Frequency Response 44k Hz vs 40k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Base Surface Area 555cm2 vs 756cm2 Takes less floor space
    Polk S20 vs Revel M126Be Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Polk Audio Signature S20 Revel PerformaBe M126Be
    Brand Polk Audio Revel
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 20-125 watts 50-150 watts
    Sensitivity 88 dB 86 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 39-40k Hz 54-44k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 6.5" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition Mica-reinforced polypropylene DCC Aluminum
    Woofer Surround Material Butyl rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Soft-Dome Hard-Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2500Hz n/a
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 376.0mm (14.8") 388.0mm (15.3")
    Width 216.0mm (8.5") 212.0mm (8.3")
    Depth 350.0mm (13.8") 262.0mm (10.3")
    Weight 7.73kg (17lbs) 10.00kg (22lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass reflex
    Finish Meddite MDF Wood/Lacquer
    Available Colors Black, Walnut, Brown Walnut Walnut,Black,White,Silver
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 24-28" 22-26"
    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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