Polk XT20 (Crutchfield) shop-links.co/cfWbPfVNiiG ------Polk XT20 (Amazon) amzn.to/303XmSO -----------Sony SSCS5 (On Sale for $88) amzn.to/3k5CaTk ---------------Amazon Music and Disney Plus Free Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9 -------------------www.patreon.com/cheapaudioman
I appreciate the due diligence you do do when it comes to 2 chan. However....what I'm looking for in "H" ome "T" heater spikkerz is liveliness, immediacy, the ability to hold long rumbling sounds??? I don't know what adjective to use for "the ability to hold long rumbling sounds" but let's go with "durability" until I find my thesaurus. By the way, what's another word for thesaurus? You know I was reading a poem about everything the other day and it turned out to be my old dictionary. Sorry, back to what I want in home theater speakers... Bass and Treble. I only reeeeeally care about Midrange more in a center channel where, as we know, the dialog comes through. So when a BOOM or a h is s s s come through it gives the ~illusion~ of long, wide, deep and satisfying separation. Wait I'm sorry that's what my wife looks for in home theater. Where was I? Oh ya, thanks for the video CAman! -✌🏼
I bought these on sale based on your video and I have to say, you nailed it. These speakers are surprising. Even powered by a 50wx2 class d they sound amazing. I had to triple check my sub to make sure it was turned off when I first started testing. I'm going to buy another set for a friend of mine.
Thanks, as always. I’ve been using Polk for 20 years. Switched over to the budget Klipsch set up with a R42cII, R51ms and R41ms for the 5 in 5.1. But using some old Polk TL satellites for the rest in my setup. Giving consideration to these to replace the old Polks for a limited purpose. I just feel that Polk is better for smooth. I like bright, so I use Klipsch for my main stage efforts now. Ambient sound goes to Polk.
Good Day. I do like the Klipsch "Bright". Love horn speakers. JBL too. However, JBL are stupidly priced, no matter how good they are. I figure that 1/3rd of their pricing is Just for the Name. "What ever the Market will bear..."
Good review. Just a suggestion for your bass test. " Long Time Gone" off Crosby, Stills and Nash's first album. The bass line that opens the song goes almost alone and goes as low as your speaker can handle. Listen first on good bass speakers and then compare.
Great review. I get a good picture of what the polks are capable of. So, buy new crossover from GR research soon 🤨 Polk makes some great loudspeakers. There are some stellar speakers in their line up. Good to see a new entry level product. What's up with Canada? Doesn't anyone review Paradigms or PSB's? D'oh.
Maybe this speaker is a candidate for a bundle of drinking straws in the bass port? This would possibly clean it up a touch, and extend it even a bit lower? You're probably right about the cabinet. Another possible cause is if they used a coil with a metal core on the woofer - which is almost guaranteed. So, it may be a strong candidate for a crossover redo? The wave guide on the tweeter *should* help it have a lower crossover point than typical; not higher.
Just received a set of the smaller XT15 model. I think they are very good for music, and would be excellent for home theater. Although a little less efficient than my old T15s, they sound way better. The huge peak at around 1.5kHz is completely gone, and they now sound good on axis. Since they are rear ported, the wall mount from the T15 is gone. Like the XT20, there is also an error in the specifications of this speaker. They say the speakers can be wall mounted with both a keyhole slot and threaded mount, but they are not wall mountable at all! The error you noticed with the xt20 woofer size has since been corrected. I also think the T15s are “not even worth $50,” and would gladly drop one off a table. Not so with the XT15! Those are still worth it when on sale, and even when not on sale. I actually think these are probably more like what the TSI series was than the T series, with the XT15 and XT20 being the equivalent of the TSi100 and TSi200, though I never owned those. Shame they took away the cherry finish if that’s the case!
I agree. XT15s are much better imo. I thought this was my review at first. The T15 are deliberately set up internally with reverse phase polarity, and can't just have the speaker wires reversed to correct this. Thus they sound better above or below the listening position. My Yamaha receiver during YPAO calibration used to tell me the speaker wires were reversed, and now I know why. At least the T15s have keyholes for easy wall mounting
@@WheresYourToque They’re definitely deliberately phase-mismatching the tweeters and woofers on these: I swapped the wires on the tweeters and they sounded a bit better to my ears. However, nowhere in the description of the speaker does Polk mention this! I feel like they would’ve done something about this by now if it wasn’t deliberate, I’m puzzled by why. I also think that the T15 is still not a great speaker in it’s optimal listening position, in comparison to the XT15. To my ears, Treble is still sorta strange. Bass, although not bad in terms of definition, seems quieter and a bit harder to hear over the very pronounced mids. Mids are boosted, and the upper mids and vocals sound shouty and hollow.
Yep, the XT15 is the 5" woofer. So, we now have the XT, the S, and Deluxe S series, all affordable, and all great sounding and arguably class leaders in their price range. And, above them are the astounding R series, which aren't cheap, but are amazing sound quality for their price. Polk engineers are on a roll, and keep hitting home runs! BTW, the S20 has a 6.5" woofer, and it's only $50 more, at $299
@@JamesBrown-jy5sy Then why are you here? Go buy your precious monitor series on Ebay and leave us alone, because no one cares what you think. All you want to do is cause trouble for all the RU-vid spakers reviewers, and no one is paying attention to your BS anyway 🤡👎
Another great presentation! I continue to be astonished at the lack of standardization in HiFi specs even at this late date. If I'm not mistaken, it is the radiating area of a woofer that is significant. For traditional, round woofers this would be the I diameter that includes half the surround or the equivalent. Thanks again for more great stuff!
Thanks for the review! As a fellow dealer, We can definitely confirm that Polk Audio Monitor XT20 Bookshelf Speaker is a bookshelf speaker that delivers clear and detailed sound. It features a 1-inch tweeter and a 6.5-inch driver, which together produce a balanced and natural sound. The speaker is easy to set up and comes with magnetic grilles that can be removed for a sleeker look. Additionally, the speaker is compatible with a range of audio equipment, making it a versatile choice for any home audio system. The Polk Audio Monitor XT20 features a sleek and modern design. Its compact size makes it easy to fit on bookshelves or desks, while its black wood grain finish gives it a sophisticated look. And as a fellow dealer, We can definitely vouch for the quality of Polk Audio products. If you have any other questions about the Polk Audio XT20 please feel free to ask!
Randy, it's always been taken as a given that driver dimensions refer to cone-size only. Old audio-mag reviews might even say something like, "The manufacturer calls this an 8" woofer, but that's cheating a bit by including the suspension; the woofer cone itself is more like 6.5". But measuring screw-to-screw? Never! That would only tell us where to drill the holes.
I probably got it wrong. I made a video about the Elac Debut b 6.2. I said the woofer didn’t look to be 6.5”. Andrew Jones commented on the video. You can read his comments if you’re so inclined
@@cheapaudioman The proper way to measure a driver is the cone + 50% of the surround. Most 6.5" woofers are actually 5.25" of radiating area. That wouldn't look as good in the marketing material though. I have a lot of respect for any company which accurately lists their woofer sizes, shows they aren't insecure about performance.
I got the Polk ES20s for Christmas ($50 off) and I'm amazed at the sound from them with a center channel. Ran the Audyssey setup through my Denon and tweeked a few things in the setup, and they sound great. I don't run a sub but these cover the lower frequencies very well.
@@tomsettles6873 Awesome Tom. I loved my 67 GTO. Problem came when I began communicating 70 miles one way. The 400 cu in engine didn't get great gas mileage plus I had to use high octane [91] gas. My dad took the 67 and I got a 77 Toyota Celica 5 speed using 87 octane. Loved that car as well.
Back in the day when the mail included a Crutchfield catalog, it was the longest day I sat on the toilet 😂😵💫👍🏽. My favorite section was the car audio section.
Butyl is a rubber (it's actually called butyl rubber) and is the most commonly used surround material apart from foam. Foam will deteriorate over time and need to be replaced, which can be a DIY project for a reasonable price. Butyl rubber will last indefinitely and IMHO is a superior material for mid and bass drivers, especially those that require long throws as it is more flexible.
Good one, Randy. Have you tried plugging the ports? Roll up a couple of old socks and plug the ports, not too tightly, and you should notice a tightening of the bass. I have a pair of old Infinity RS3 bookshelf speakers that sound really good, except for the bass, that can get a little sloppy (depending on the recording); the socks do the trick!
Just setup my Polk XT20s...Wow. Definitely an improvement over my beloved Infinity Primus (15yrs+ running). The 6.5" woofer has so much bass and highs are very clear. (Feels like a V shaped speaker which is OK as it adds more sparkle and excitement for movies.) For the first time, I have a speaker that looks better with cover on. Thanks again for your excellent review.
I just ordered the Sony SSCS5s yesterday. For $88 they are really hard to beat for value. If the XT20's go on sale to around 150-180, I'll try them out. They are pretty new so I doubt they get the price cut on Black Friday... but who knows?
The old polks are one of the most overlooked underrated speakers ever, the monitor 7 and 10 etc, rta12, and big sda models, they are very very good for their prices and tough to beat, matthew polk deserves more credit. The big sda models can achieve single digit numbers on the low end....with 6.5 inch drivers, no sub EVER needed, well done polk.
I had a '78 Aspen R/T. I wish I'd never gotten rid of that car. Thanks for the review. I've been considering grabbing a Polk system and I was wondering if they were worth it.
I've kind of sworn off Polk products the last few years but I have to admit, these look and sound pretty nice. There's just so many good speakers in this segment nowadays.
Back in early 2000s Polk also made a Polk R20, which was 6.5" version of 5.25" R15 speaker, which was successor of R10 and predecessor of M10 then T15.
I have these for my LCR. The bass is the worst part about them. I plugged the ports with socks and set crossover to 80hz. All bass is handled with subwoofer. Other than that, for a $200 (sale price) pair of speakers I really doubt you can beat them.
Back in the day when the mail included a Crutchfield catalog, it was the longest day I sat on the toilet 😂😵💫👍🏽. My favorite section was the car audio section.
Sounds like a good candidate for the GR Research treatment, little bracing, some material inside, little crossover work, probably have a budget monster. Or, just put the same $$$ in a Criton😉
** 1/22/2024: Polk XT20 @ $299.99 everywhere today. I have 2 Polk TSi500 tower speakers that I bought new about 14 years ago and 2 Polk 12" powered sub woofers. Most of the time, I don't use the subs. The main speakers are usually enough in the bass department on their own. For over two years I have been reviewing and considering replacing them with something else. I have decided that 8 woofers and 2 tweeters are fine for me. I would like to go with 3 way speakers, but the pricing for anything that I would be seriously interested in is ridiculous. I am considering a pair of book shelf speakers for the new music room, in my house that I will soon be moving into. I play Guitar and have been playing drums since 1964. These are quite interesting. The Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speakers, presently at $198 and the elac unifi ub5 speakers at $250 If you can find them new these days. OR, Lastly: Klipsch RP-600M Bookshelf Speakers $350 which sounds kinda high. Paying for the name? I'd be interested in your thoughts on all of these speakers compared to each other. Or, should I just stay with Polk? Best Regards
I bought a pair of RTIA3 from Crutchfield. They sound great ....but it takes a lot of patience to get em set up right . But once you do there awesome and they disappear. You hear things you didn't hear before...there's always something better just have to spend more money.
well the s20's were awesome. the s15's I didn't really care for. the ES15's is another story. I love that speaker. So it depends. If you can get the S20's at a great price then I'd go for that. they're monsters
while it is true that XT is big leap from T series, this doesnt catch up to older S (signature) series in microdetails or bass clarity, but they are on sale for similar pricing. But the issue here is that price entering market is always higher than 2-3 years after. So i guess very soon, XT20 could cost some 160usd and then it will be great value. As of right now, german speakers like Magnat s30 or Heco aurora 200 are worthy alternative. Or Dali Spektors are great value, if you settle with 5" woofer.
I'm curious as to what you think of the Pioneer SX-3700 paired with all these modern day speakers? What speaker do you think pairs best with that receiver? That receiver was part of my first stereo system (EPI100, Technics SLD2 turntable) that I bought in 1980. It was my college system and boy did it rock! I loved that receiver until all the pods and switches got dirty, lights stopped working and the stereo channels would go in and out.....Needless to say I didn't get it fixed and eventually replaced that system. But I do have very fond memories of that receiver......Happy to know that some have survived and still rocking.
Cleaners such as Deoxite do a great job on vintage receivers and amps. A non technical person can do the job. A lot of information on line. I get good results connecting the Sony sscs5 to vintage equipment such as Sansui 800, 1000x, Sony str 6050, 6060F.
@@cheapaudioman I would be curious for you to do a review of the Pioneer with some of your favorite speakers/dacs - of course I'm not sure anyone else would be interested except me - but maybe. In any case enjoy it - didn't mean to go off topic of the Polks.
@@solomonstewart1025 That would have been useful info for me back in 1991 when I gave that receiver to my super and replaced it with a Proton AV300. Which I still have but is dead. I just don't have the heart to put it out on the street....like a stray dog or cat I want to find a good home with someone who could fix it and use it.
@@marjconnelly8079 I've got a Nakamichi TA3A that I feel the same way about. It's not dead, but it has problems, and will probably have more problems after those problems are fixed. It needs a home with a techie.
Okay, the video is a little older, but maybe I'll get even more meaningful feedback this way. To start, a complete Monitor XT series or a mix of Klipsch R-820F, Klipsch RP-600C, Klipsch R-50M, Sub should be Klipsch R-121SW. Should you stay loyal to one series/year? I had previously bought Denon Home, which is where I got my limited receivers, and the new passive ones should also be connected to the network in front of the television.
Curious about the whole line after this review as their are two floor standing models with passive bass radiators as well as a sub that seems pretty affordable as well.
I believe it was you who influenced my search for a surround system that had as many binding posts, (instead of spring tabs), as possible. When I see the stamped metal speaker frame on this polk, I can only hope it doesn't mean they cut corners elsewhere. Shouldn't polk do something for a speaker over the 200 mark ??
just for fun you should do a comparison of cheap polks?? how about the xt 20 to the es 20 to the tsi 200 all 200-300 dollars any others i forgot ?and i havent heard you talk about wharfdale diamond 20 i hear rave reviews about thanks for your vids and time
Do you think the xt15 would fix the muddy bass response? With a smaller five and a quarter woofer would the bass be more under control? It's at half the price as well. Could be a huge value.
I have a set of the XT15. They sound pretty good to me, but the treble is slightly boosted to my ears. I can’t really compare the bass response to the XT20. Mine have quite a bit of mid-bass frequencies, but not enough to make them sound overly boomy to me. The deep stuff is fairly tight sounding to my ears, but it’s a bit masked behind the higher mid-bass range. The frequency response sounds a bit “v shaped” to my ears, with some of the mids and maybe lower treble slightly recessed. To me, they are WAY better than the less expensive T15 though. It’s no comparison. I use them with an XT35 center channel. My rear channels are my old T15s: pretty much all they’re good for.
Alanis Morissette Uninvited. That's the one that sounds like she's saying, "I am flat turd." So I bought the Monitor XT30 center speaker last week. I'm still tuning it but it sounds great.
I bet the xt15 sounds better in the mid and treble range due to the smaller woofer. I have the same problem with my Paradigm Titan v2 speakers, which are 6.5 inch bookshelf speakers from 2000. The smaller version, the atom v2, sounded better!
Just a heads up. Hearing a slight background buzz coming through on this video that i am not hearing on others. Pause it and it goes away. Just an fyi. Not horrible just wanted to let you know that it is there.
Great video, but I still miss your “shouldn’t cost as much as“ intros. A couple of years ago I picked up a pair of the T 15’s for $30 used on Amazon. I didn’t really need them but I wanted to see what all the hype was about. They were great speakers for that price but definitely had their shortcomings. Last year I actually gave them to a buddy of mine who had cheap logitech computer speakers. Paired with an inexpensive SMSl class D amp and they sounded much better than his previous speakers!
I'm wanting to add surrounds speakers to my system, I already have 2 Polk monitor 70's, I will eventually add a center speaker too. I'm just not sure whether to go with the XT15 or XT20.
This might very well be my next speakers. I am on a somewhat tight budget and I want to have good lows and this speakers really seems to match that criteria. I am currently running some 20-25 years old Sony 3-way speakers that came with a stereo system that I bought back in the day and they have some nice bass as well. 6" and 5.5" drivers as well as a decent sized tweeter. Or do you have some other recommendations around this price range (or lower)? 3-way would be nice as well.
I still wonder why Polk not just directly sold the Signature E(uropean)-versions everywhere instead of bring the Signature Elites as they seem pretty similar ...
I wonder what he thinks of Polk XT15? Thinking of getting it to replace my Polk T15s that I used for surround speakers. Which are purposely made out of phase so they sound better when they are about 20 degrees above or below the listening position, rather than at ear level, where they will sound muffled. Notice XT15 can get LFE of 48 Hz which is better than 65 Hz of T15.
@@cheapaudioman for some reason i think you are the Steve Wallis of audio..its a compliment. I'm fascinated by both your guy's RU-vid content lol. You have very similar demeanor
