In this review, we will be comparing Ultra Bookshelf and L200, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from SVS and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of SVS Ultra Bookshelf and Polk L200 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
SVS Ultra Bookshelf Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Composite glass-fiber Woofer
- 45-32k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-150watts
- Weight:8.64kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 380.0" x 8-9/16" x 11-1/16"( 380.0 x 218.0 x 281.0mm )
Polk L200 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter
- 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer
- 46-38k Hz Frequency Response
- 85.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:30-200watts
- Weight:10.00kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 399.0" x 8-3/8" x 13-5/16"( 399.0 x 213.0 x 339.0mm )
What size room are the SVS Ultra Bookshelf and Polk L200 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* |
SVS Ultra Bookshelf |
Polk L200 |
| 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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf and Polk L200 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 Ultra Bookshelf and L200 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
SVS Ultra Bookshelf |
Polk L200 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Ultra Bookshelf features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz. On the other hand, the L200 features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz.
Frequency Response
Ultra Bookshelf has a frequency range of 45-32k Hz whereas L200 has a frequency range of 46-38k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Ultra Bookshelf can go slightly deeper then the L200's min frequency of 46Hz.
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
Ultra Bookshelf is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the L200 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the L200 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Ultra Bookshelf sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the L200's is rated at 85.5 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the SVS Ultra Bookshelf a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk L200, 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.
Ultra Bookshelf can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Ultra Bookshelf has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the L200.
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
Both Ultra Bookshelf and L200 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
SVS Ultra Bookshelf's 5-way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Polk L200's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Ultra Bookshelf and L200 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.
Polk L200 Enhanced Power Port 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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf's and Polk L200's external dimensions. SVS Ultra Bookshelf has external dimensions of 380.0 x 218.0 x 281.0mm ( 14-15/16 x 8-9/16 x 11-1/16inch) whereas Polk L200 has external dimensions of 399.0 x 213.0 x 339.0mm ( 15-11/16 x 8-3/8 x 13-5/16inch) .
SVS Ultra Bookshelf is 19mm shorter and 58mm less deeper than Polk L200 but it is also 5mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS Ultra Bookshelf and Polk L200 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS Ultra Bookshelf and Polk L200 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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf is approximately 612.6cm2 / 95.0inch2 and base area of the Polk L200 is approximately 722.1cm2 / 111.9inch2. The Ultra Bookshelf requires 15% less surface area than the L200 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an 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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf and Polk L200 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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs and the Polk L200 weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the L200 16% heavier than the Ultra Bookshelf.
Here is a comparison of how Ultra Bookshelf and L200's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of SVS Ultra Bookshelf?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Ultra Bookshelf:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber feet2 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)Owners ManualSVS brochureOnline Product Registration Card
What's in the Box of Polk L200?
Here are the items that come with the L200:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles Cleaning cloth Owners Manual Online Registration
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
46 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
380mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
612cm2
vs
722cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1200USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
32k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
SVS Ultra Bookshelf |
Polk Audio Legend L200 |
| Brand |
SVS |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-150 watts |
30-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
85.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-32k Hz |
46-38k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Composite glass-fiber |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Ring Radiator |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
2600Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
380.0mm (15") |
399.0mm (15.7") |
| Width |
218.0mm (8.6") |
213.0mm (8.4") |
| Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Oak veneer |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black Oak,Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White |
Brown Walnut, Black Ash |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
22-28" |
22-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |