A Review of The Polk Monitor XT20 Speakers

In the my last video we went over the construction quality, T/S parameters and port tuning of the Polk Monitor XT 20. In this video I give you my impressions on how the Polk Monitor XT20 sounds for home theater and 2 channel audio. The speakers are from Polk's entry level line and I gotta say I was pretty impressed with some of the aspects of these speakers.
My Look Inside video of the XT20: • A Look Inside A Polk M...
If you would like to support the channel then please consider purchasing your speakers from the below affiliate links. This channel wouldn't exist without supporters like you! Your support is much appreciated!
Polk Monitor XT20: amzn.to/3SYbyp5
Polk Monitor XT15 amzn.to/3T1wwnj
Polk Monitor XT12 Subwoofer: amzn.to/3uCzc1d
My Review on the Polk Monitor XT12 can be found below:
XT12 Look Inside: • A Look Inside a Polk M...
XT12 Review: • A Review of The Polk M...
Worthwhile Upgrades:
Polyfill Stuffing (must have for the XT20): amzn.to/3SG5WyH
Brass nuts for the XT20 can be found here:
Brass nuts: amzn.to/3IFLOIS
Brass nuts vendor 2: amzn.to/3BYrwq9
Brass lock washers: amzn.to/43iaRcK
All of my videos about Polk products can be found here: • My playlist about Polk...
My videos about upgrading speakers can be found here: • My playlist about upgr...
My look inside videos on speakers can be found here: • All of My Look Inside ...
My videos about subwoofers can be found here: • Everything subwoofers!!!
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[@generationbehindhifi]

Polk Monitor XT20: amzn.to/3SYbyp5 Polk Monitor XT15 amzn.to/3T1wwnj Polk Monitor XT12 Subwoofer: amzn.to/3uCzc1d My Review on the Polk Monitor XT12 can be found below: XT12 Look Inside: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4rSeJ-EdqqZjcUsi=dN4iy89F73SdqRmQ XT12 Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHeTqJmCobimm6csi=Oo1fs05Su7F8atRX Worthwhile Upgrades: Polyfill Stuffing (must have for the XT20): amzn.to/3SG5WyH Brass nuts for the XT20 can be found here: Brass nuts: amzn.to/3IFLOIS Brass nuts vendor 2: amzn.to/3BYrwq9 Brass lock washers: amzn.to/43iaRcK

[@RdandTrk1]

Another great review. I love that you're willing to talk about stuff that other reviewers may ignore. Also, love the artwork on your wall. Porches and old motorcycles, nice.

[@generationbehindhifi]

I appreciate the kind words! Thank you!

[@marvinmurakami8828]

It's amazing Polk's budget speakers are this good.

[@JR-ho5qm]

Right on! Polk is doing a really good job with there speakers recently. It’s great to see. But man that Vega! Stood out in the sound demo! It really is a nice speaker I hope CV! Does well with it so we can see them come out with more new speakers

[@BobbyBass-x6i]

Agree the CV sound richer and more dynamic in the comparison. Good job CV! Rock on!

[@oliviu11119]

You do a great job, explained to everyone. What would you choose, Polk xt20 vs. Heco Aurora 300? (they are at the same price in my area)

[@generationbehindhifi]

Thanks. For me it would be the Heco Aurora 300.

[@Adams-78]

I just bought them as another pair for my amplifier (arriving saturday, first ones are Cambridge Audio SX60) on Amazon UK for 169 pounds (10 payments 16.90 no interest) hope i'm gonna love them, price was great.

[@Brina0820]

Thanks for the detailed review & teardown - these have been on Amazon the past few days for $150/pr, at that price seems to be a lot of speaker for 75/box 🎸

[@generationbehindhifi]

That's a great sale price for these (150/pr)!

[@juarezgerardo5091]

I liked polk and sony speakers and Subwoofers Powered too

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

Did you try them with the grills on? Maybe the harshness up top would be tamed a bit...

[@rchobbiesuk9492]

Im looking at these how do they compare to the q aqustics 320i or the 330i?? Thanks great video 😊

[@generationbehindhifi]

Thank you! I have not heard any speakers from Q Aqustics so can't comment. Sorry! I would like to get a couple pairs for the channel at some point. You're not the first person to ask about them. :)

[@marvinmurakami8828]

The Q Acoustics would be a step up from these but I think the Polk ES 20 speakers would compete better against them.

[@nobody1841]

Mine had a really strong bass muffled sound, then after a couple of weeks they just broke in and woke up. They sound excellent now.

[@generationbehindhifi]

Don't forget to stuff the cabinet with polyfill. It made a measured difference on my XT20s.

[@nobody1841]

@@generationbehindhifi Hadn't even thought about that. Thanks for the suggestion for sure. They do look pretty empty. So I looked and found about 2 pounds of the hi density was suggested. Do you think that sounds right?

[@generationbehindhifi]

@@nobody1841 I talk about it at the 14:52 mark in this video and even show the measured difference.

[@shipsahoy1793]

I considered the XT20's, and demo'd a pair over at the local Best Buy, but I ended up with a pair of the Elac BS41's for $100. The Polk's were $225 at the time. I got the Elacs with stands and wire for $200. 👍 The Polks were ok for $225, but I preferred the Elac deal. Good sound for such minimal cost.

[@generationbehindhifi]

How's the bass with Elac BS41's? I believe those only have a 4" woofer compared to the 6.5" in the XT20. I have heard good things about Elac but have yet to purchase a set to try out.

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@generationbehindhifi Yes, it was extremely interesting to me that the 4" woofer in that 10 liter box made such good bass. The rear ports are 2" diameter and 4" deep. The tweeter is the same as the Elac 5.2's and 6.2's allegedly. The only potential drawbacks are efficiency, and when on stands, they need to be about a meter or so from any walls. Can be enjoyed to about 85 dB SPL at 10 ft away with good power to drive them. The 4" woofers seem to need some playing time on them to sweeten up. Seems like "break in" could be a thing. I never thought that before, but seemed to be the case here. Anyway, I have bigger, more expensive speakers, but I like to use these after 9:30pm bc it's way too tempting to crank the big speakers up too loud. I'll even turn these down even more after 11pm and leave them on all night lol Had them since last year; no regrets.

[@generationbehindhifi]

@@shipsahoy1793 Thanks for the detailed response. I'm going to have to get a pair for the channel to review for sure. :)

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@generationbehindhifi No problem. Results will vary based on the listener, their preferences, and how and where they use them, but overall, I personally like them better than anything else currently out there in the "very inexpensive" category, as they serve their purpose for me. Cost has risen, so may want to catch a sale to maximize bang/buck. Have a great day!

[@ChicagoRob2]

No film cap in the tweeter crossover is a no-go.

[@generationbehindhifi]

Most don't at this price point. The only speaker I have found so far at the $300 and under price that uses a poly cap on the tweeter circuit is the Cerwin-Vega LA165. Fabulous speakers for the money IMO.

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@generationbehindhifi oh by the way I responded to you already, but I just wanted to let you know there's actually poly caps in the Elac BS41's, which surprised me for sure.

[@jimbo4203]

I really like my Xt 20's , I got a open box set for 149 bucks which is a smokin' hot deal 😊

[@generationbehindhifi]

You did well at $149! Nice score!

[@jimbo4203]

@@generationbehindhifi I like your reviews and I thought the tweeters were the weak link and a little laid back , had to Subscribe

[@generationbehindhifi]

@@jimbo4203 Thank you, Jim! It's much appreciated!

[@BoRerunn]

Do they sound similar to the R200

[@Sc2God724]

No they don't the r200 is a warmer refind sound if it's mainly hometheater yah are invested the xt series is just fine if it's mainly music than the r series

[@generationbehindhifi]

I haven't heard the R200 yet. I have been wanting to get a set for the channel to review and do a look inside video on.

[@JR-ho5qm]

@@generationbehindhifithe Reserve series is much better. There is also the Signature Elite series which can be a really good bang for your buck when on sale.

[@shipsahoy1793]

Bo.. the r200 is a much better speaker .. not even a contest.

[@BoRerunn]

@@generationbehindhifi did you mention the Cerwin Vega to these Polks

[@xCyAx]

Are these Polk XT20 good for Side/Rear surround speakers?

[@generationbehindhifi]

Yes. These will be fine if you're already using the bigger XT series as front mains.

[@xCyAx]

@@generationbehindhifi I actually have the 2xJamo S 809 Tower front-facing speakers with Klipsch R-120SW Sub, are those bigger XT the XT60? Are they better then my jamo s809? Going to buy the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 Central speaker soon and i was looking to some side surround speakers to complete a 5.1 setup and these Polk might be the ones if you are saying so, if they drop the price a bit more.

[@generationbehindhifi]

@@xCyAx I would highly recommend that you keep your front soundstage (L, C, R) all that same brand. If you really like the center from Elac, then pair it with Elac left and right speakers. Why not get the matching Jamo center to compliment your S809 speakers?

[@xCyAx]

​@@generationbehindhifii read that jamo s 81 central and jamo s801 side speaker are really bad. Jamo s803 bookshelf side speaker was in consideration but i dont know. I also heard ppl saying elac central is really good and its a 3-way central speaker, no video reviews on the central speaker though.

[@generationbehindhifi]

@@xCyAx For rear surrounds matching isn't as important but for the front soundstage it is. Its up to you, but you might notice the Elac might sound a bit different then the rest of your front soundstage. You could always order from a place that has a great return policy and do your own testing?

[@gasolin75]

how does it sound against the jbl stage A130 ?

[@generationbehindhifi]

I have never heard the JBL A130 so can't comment. I have heard the JBL Studio 530 and even owned a pair for a short while and I prefer them over the Polk XT20.

[@shipsahoy1793]

i've heard other reviewers say that the XT 20's are better for bass than the A130s.

[@bearded_wolverine3503]

Polk feeling small next to those 90K speakers 😅

[@johnappleby59]

Testing with a subwoofer won’t give you a real idea how they sound on their own.

[@generationbehindhifi]

The sound demo I included in this video comparing the Cerwin-Vega LA165 to the Polk XT20 were configured in a 2.0 configuration, meaning the subwoofer is turned off during those demos.