The Polk Audio XT70 is the top-of-the-line speaker in the Monitor series from Polk Audio. It’s designed to be a versatile floor-standing speaker that can be used for movies, games, and music. In this review, I’ll be testing the XT70 in different scenarios and comparing it to other speakers in its price range as well as the more expensive ES60 from Polk’s Signature Elite line, to determine if it’s worth upgrading.
The XT70 belongs to the Monitor series, which is not aimed at audiophiles but instead offers speakers that can be used for various purposes. The series includes different speaker styles such as floor standing, bookshelf, soundbars, and subwoofer types. You have the option to use the XT70 alone or pair it with additional speakers to create a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system.
It’s important to note that the XT70 seems to have been designed to cover the entire frequency spectrum. The large 8-inch woofers on the front are specifically designed for powerful low-end performance, so unlike speakers with smaller drivers that usually require an additional subwoofer, the XT70 doesn’t need one.
The Polk Audio XT70 is a massive speaker that has a strong presence in any room. It only comes in black, without any attempt to look like a piece of furniture. Instead, it clearly stands out as a speaker, and a large one at that.
Polk Audio XT70 is a flagship speaker in the Monitor series, offering impressive performance for movies, games, and music. It features a robust and imposing design, with a focus on delivering powerful sound across the frequency spectrum.
The design of the cabinet is fairly simple. As you move up the range, you’ll find the more stylized housing of the Polk ES60 that we reviewed. The XT70, on the other hand, is a large rectangular box without curves or soft lines, and the woofers and tweeters are integrated into the cabinet rather than on a separate faceplate.
Despite its aggressive appearance, the XT70 looks seriously cool. It features five drivers, all of which are quite large, dominating the front and indicating right away that they can deliver loud and powerful sound. After using refined audiophile speakers with a simple tweeter and single woofer design, it’s refreshing to experience the impressive performance of these lower-end speakers.
The build quality is good, although not on par with more expensive speakers in Polk’s lineup. The simplicity of the cabinet design makes it difficult to showcase any notable craftsmanship. The finishing is generally well done, with no defects or misaligned hardware. However, the veneer finish seems a bit too basic, and the wood grain appears somewhat cheap. It would have been nice to see the speaker finished in a flat white or black vinyl.
This speaker is not aimed at purists seeking a completely neutral sound. It does have some coloration, but it fulfills its intended purpose perfectly. The XT70 is an all-in-one, powerful speaker that can get extremely loud. It excels in the low-end, producing deep and impactful bass that negates the need for a separate dedicated subwoofer.
Now, let’s discuss the sound performance in two categories: first, as a home theater system for watching movies, and second, as a hi-fi speaker for audio-only.
The Polk XT70 performed admirably in movies, requiring my amplifiers to be set around 60-70% for a cinematic volume experience. This kept the speakers in their optimal sweet spot, as distortion was observed at listening volumes above 80%. However, this is not a significant issue for movies since you’re likely to be sitting directly in front of the speakers. At such volumes, the performance in this area is very good. Notably, the bass delivers a satisfying punch that can be heard and felt, particularly during explosive scenes. The mid-bass also impresses with tight and controlled punches that blend well with the overall soundtracks.
Polk Monitor XT70 Features
LARGE HIGH-PERFORMANCE TOWER SPEAKER Polk Monitor XT70 features a 1″ Tweeter, (2) 6.5″ Dynamically Balanced Woofers & (2) 8″ Passive Radiators that deliver open mid-range & punchy, responsive bass in an immersive soundstage in your movies, TV & music PREMIUM BUILD QUALITY AND MODERN DESIGN An upgrade to the critically acclaimed Monitor series, the Polk Monitor XT series features the latest innovations in affordable, great-sounding speakers, and their stylish design blends with any home décor HIGH-RESOLUTION SOUND FROM ALL INPUTS Auro 3D compatible, Monitor XT70’s 4- & 8-Ohm amplifiers deliver Dolby Atmos & DTS:X surround sound from your favorite sources, including online streaming via Apple Music, Amazon Music HD, Tidal, Spotify, and more EASY SETUP AND PLACEMENT The MXT70 floor-standing speaker comes with rubber feet designed for both carpet and hardwood floors, providing improved stability and flexible placement. Enjoy room-filling, rich audio from wherever you are sitting CREATE AN AFFORDABLE HOME THEATER The timbre-matched Polk components ensure seamless speaker-to-speaker blending. Add a tower pair, MXT20 bookshelf pair, MXT35 center, MXT90 height module & MXT12 sub to create a unified surround system.
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