Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 is a 2-way Passive Bass Reflex Bookshelf speaker by Polk Audio. It features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 41-40k Hz and a sensitivity of 86 dB. Polk ES20 has an MSRP of 399$ per pair but can often be found around 319$ per pair.
Room Size Suitability
The size of the room where you plan to use the Polk ES20 is a crucial factor in your decision. We have assessed its suitability for various room sizes based on its dimensions and maximum power output:
| Listening Environment* |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Poor |
| Small Room | Average |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Average |
| Very Large Room | 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.)
Polk Audio replaced the older S20 with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
Compare Polk ES20 vs Polk S20
Polk Audio's Signature Elite Series of Loudspeakers
ES20 is a member of Polk Audio's Signature Elite series of Passive speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.
Polk Audio Signature Elite Series Speakers
Polk Audio Signature Elite Series Speakers
**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.
Frequency Response of the Polk ES20 Speaker
Polk ES20 has a Frequency response range of 41-40k Hz at ±3dB and Power Range of 20-125 watts. With a minimum frequency of 41 Hz, ES20 delivers deep bass that will likely satisfy most listeners, especially those who enjoy music. However, movie enthusiasts and music fans who prefer a full range of sound may still benefit from adding a subwoofer.
To focus on the subwoofers that are in a similar price range with Polk ES20, check out the Powered Subwoofers under $500. Alternatively, find the Full list of Powered Subwoofers regardless of the price.
Here we have a comparison of how ES20's Low and High frequency values compare with the average, max and min Low and High frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Crossover frequency of the Polk ES20?
The Crossover frequency of the ES20 is set to 2500Hz. This is the threshold frequency where the higher frequency signals over this level are sent to the tweeter and the lower-frequency signals are sent to the woofer by the crossover component.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Polk ES20's nominal impedance level is
8 ohms and has a sensitivity of
86 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
8 Ohms is pretty much the standard nominal impedance amongst stereo speakers and amplifiers so Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 is not considered a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective.
Sensitivity
With a sensitivity level of only 86 dB, Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 is a difficult to drive speaker from Sensitivity perspective, make sure to choose an amplifier with a high output if you like listening to your music at high volume levels. You may especially have a hard time using Tube amplifiers which are traditionally very low power compared to Class A/B or Class D amps.
Check the amplifiers that are in a similar price range to the Polk ES20:
Input Type
ES20 features 5-Way post type connectors. Bi-amping and Bi-wiring are not possible.
Polk ES20 External Dimensions and Weight
Polk ES20 has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 14-3/4 x 8-9/16 x 13-13/16inch (375.0 x 218.0 x 351.0mm ).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of Polk ES20 is approximately 765.2cm2 / 118.6inch2.
To get a better perspective on the real life size of Polk ES20, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).
Polk ES20 Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc
Here we place the Polk ES20 virtually next to a standard width amplifier and turntable on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet to get a better idea about the size.
Polk ES20 Speaker next to an amplifier and turntable
WeightThe Polk ES20 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how ES20's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Weight
Bookshelf Speakers under $500
How does the Polk ES20 compare to the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES50?
One of the natural alternative to the Polk ES20 is the ES50 which is located one step higher in Polk Audio's Passive Bookshelf selection.
Here is a scaled size comparison of these two speakers to give you an idea how their external dimensions compare:
Comparison image of Polk ES20 and Polk ES50 Size and External Dimensions
Check the Detailed Comparison of Polk ES20 vs ES50 for more details.
Cabinet type and Materials
Polk ES20 has a
Bass Reflex type cabinet and a MDF, Wood-grain vinyl finish. Bass Reflex type loudspeakers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.
Speaker Feet
Polk ES20 comes with
8 Self-adhesive rubber feet which you can use to secure your loudspeaker on the surface that you are putting on. It is always recommended to use some kind of feet under all types of speakers. Besides limiting the movement of the speakers, it also compensates for non-flat surfaces and limits the contact surface area of the speaker. Rubber based feet also help isolating the vibrations within certain frequency ranges.
Port Position
Polk ES20 is a rear-firing port speaker so you have to make sure you leave enough space between the back of the speaker and wall or bookshelf so that it has room to breathe.
Available colors
Polk ES20 is available in Black, White and Walnut.
Wall Mounting
ES20 doesn't sport any built-in mounting bracket, so you need an external structure to mount it on walls.
Does the Polk ES20 come with a Grille?
ES20 comes with grilles. The purpose of the grille is to protect the delicate driver elements from external impacts while still allowing the sound to pass as clearly as possible.
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
Recommended Accessories
Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20.
- Speaker Cable and Connectors
- Vibration Isolators: IsoAcoustics isolators more affordable options too.
- Acoustic Panels and Treatments: Your room is as important as your stereo equipment so acoustic treatments goes a long way in improving the overall performance.
- Speaker Stands: Stands bring your bookshelf speakers to ideal height (rule of thumb is to have the tweeter level with your ear in your listening position), helps stability and acoustical isolation.
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 speaker can be found below:
Official Product Page for Polk ES20
Warranty
5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.