Bookshelf Speakers — Polk Audio Monitor XT20

The Monitor XT20 belongs to the Polk Audio Monitor XT series as a two-way passive design for stands or shelves. Polk presents that series as the next generation of its Monitor line with a history reaching back to 1974. Polk describes the XT generation as bringing new tweeter, woofer and cabinet designs along with Hi-Res Audio certification. Of the two bookshelf designs in this range the XT20 has the bigger woofer, and pairs are supplied in a Midnight Black finish.

Key specs that matter

A 1 inch Terylene dome tweeter works above 3,200 Hz, and a 6.5 inch (16.51 cm) bi-laminate paper woofer handles everything below that point. Polk lists a frequency response of 38 Hz to 40,000 Hz and a sensitivity of 87 dB at 1 watt and 1 metre. Rather than a single nominal impedance, the maker states that the speaker is compatible with both 4 ohm and 8 ohm outputs. Suggested amplifier power runs from 30 to 200 W per channel. Each cabinet measures 19.05 cm wide, 33 cm high and 27.93 cm deep, and weighs 5.44 kg. Wiring goes to one pair of 5-way nickel-plated binding posts.

Engineering and use context

Polk applies its Dynamic Balance method to the woofer, as it does across the series, and the cabinets are built from MDF that the company calls critically braced and low in resonance. A precision-fit grille can be removed. The tweeter is specified by Polk for output above 40 kHz, which is the basis of the Hi-Res Audio certification. Polk positions the XT20 for music, gaming and film, and states that it can serve as a front, surround or rear speaker on a shelf or stand. The series is Dolby Atmos certified and DTS:X compatible, so the XT20 can take part in 3D surround layouts without specialised hardware. Build quality is backed by a limited five-year warranty from Polk.

Pairing

Polk states that the Monitor XT range works with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capable AV receivers and with ordinary stereo amplifiers alike. For an overhead channel the company offers the Monitor XT90 height speaker, sold separately, which mounts atop other Monitor XT cabinets and adds the vertical layer in an Atmos or DTS:X system. In a multichannel setup the XT20 can therefore act as the main front pair while other members of the series cover the remaining positions.

Alternatives

The Polk Monitor XT15 is the compact sibling, with a 5.25 inch bi-laminate paper woofer, a 2,200 Hz crossover, 86 dB sensitivity and a 4.08 kg cabinet that can also be hung on a wall via keyhole slots.