A Look Inside A Polk Monitor XT20 Bookshelf Speaker
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- Have you ever wondered how Polk's budget bookshelf speaker is built? In this video I tear down a pair of Polk Monitor XT20 bookshelf speakers and go over the T/S parameters of the drivers, construction quality of the cabinet, and then take a look at the crossover components. At $300 a pair, these are a pretty decent set of speakers for the money.
My review video of the XT20: • A Review of The 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
Products for damping the inside of the cabinet:
Sonic Barrier 3 layer dampening material (I'm using this on my Q350s): amzn.to/46wSRwT
Amazon Basics butyl rubber sound dampening material: amzn.to/3RJWzPr
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: • My Look Inside Videos
My videos about subwoofers can be found here: • My playlist about subw...
GenerationBehindHiFi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Your purchase from the above links helps supports this channel and create content for viewers like you. Thank you for your continued support!
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: ua-cam.com/video/eYoGlNAEfWc/v-deo.htmlsi=dN4iy89F73SdqRmQ
XT12 Review: ua-cam.com/video/6F0wfLlSseE/v-deo.htmlsi=Oo1fs05Su7F8atRX
Polyfill Stuffing (must have for the XT20): amzn.to/3SG5WyH
Replace the ferromagnetic nuts on the binding posts with brass below:
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
Products for damping the inside of the cabinet:
Sonic Barrier 3 layer dampening material (I'm using this on my Q350s): amzn.to/46wSRwT
Amazon Basics butyl rubber sound dampening material: amzn.to/3RJWzPr
My videos about upgrading speakers can be found here: ua-cam.com/play/PLg0Xq1LbiZBV3JdrXQtMPgv3Lc6YB6fdr.html
My look inside videos on speakers can be found here: ua-cam.com/play/PLg0Xq1LbiZBXWNQtsEOqq_LynPGsLNpxy.html
My videos about subwoofers can be found here: ua-cam.com/play/PLg0Xq1LbiZBW6xl4N0qoMVjsAFOOyq1Me.html
Bonjour de la France.......... magnifique travail, merci
Bucking magnets also help reduce magnetic interference with the inductors in the crossover
Very good review
Thank you! This is my look inside video. My review video can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/EepA40x2_9Y/v-deo.htmlsi=O1d2_HTDAdmYBFu4
FYI, the shape of the woofer frame is called "pincushion" I think? Also, it makes me nervous when drivers are placed face down - pushing on the suspension may be fine, but it also could do damage?
Having the vented spider and the vented voice coil is mainly a benefit to more "linear" cone motion, I think? A vented pole piece "overlaps" with the function of the vented voice coil. If there is a phase plug (and no dust cover) then venting the voice coil is less critical.
One of the less obvious advantages of a cast frame (with slim/shaped struts) - is less sound reflection back out through the cone.
The tweeter plate would be be improved with several layers of cloth and glue (I use denim and Titebond III) to strengthen/damp the ABS plastic. It has to "resist" the flexing caused by the air pressure inside the cabinet.
The tweeter appears to be a woven material, which is often a good thing.
A 0.1uF bypass cap on the tweeter *at least* would be an easy upgrade.
The 3-layer 3/4" thick foam that Parts Express sells would be a great upgrade for the cabinet. A fabric store is a great source for less expensive polyfil.
Thanks, Neil! That is very interesting that they refer to these woofer frames as "pincushion". This is the first I'm hearing about that terminology. Thanks for sharing!
I'm packing my XT20S , thanks for the tip , I've been playing hooked up to a Fosi BT 20 A , my first class d amp , and they sound great on it too 😊
That's the spirit! It will make for a nice improvement for sure.
@@generationbehindhifi cool
@@generationbehindhifihey I did the mod this morning and put some more around the tweeters too because one had less than the other , really does make a difference ! I swear it helps the mids and treble too😊
@@jimbo4203 Awesome! Glad to hear it worked out.
This was a FANTASTIC review! Too bad I saw it after buying and mounting these speakers to the wall on brackets. I really like they way they sound but I don't have anything to compare them too in quality other then my Klipsch towers. I will buy the baffling material using your link.
QUESTION: If I wanted to replace the cross over completely, would you have any recommendations? You might say "Can't be done." or "Try this...."
One last thing; what is the issue with have ferromagnetic nuts? What will replacing them with brass accomplish?
Thank you again!!!
Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words. Thanks again for the support!
IEEE did a white paper on ferromagnetic parts in audio connectors and its a good read. Basically the study proved that ferromagnetic parts introduce passive intermodulation, aka 3rd-order harmonics distortion to the signal! Simply put, there's a reason why high end speakers use non ferromagnetic parts in the signal path.
Paper can be read here: ieeexplore.ieee.org/ielaam/22/8681220/8632973-aam.pdf
For a budget speaker, I'm very happy with the 4 I own for my home theater front and surrounds (I have space limitations). They have a decently punchy base response. I got mine on sale late last year for about $220 a pair.
Question on the polyfill link you gave... how far does a one pound bag go? Enough for 2 to 4 XT20s?
You should have enough polyfill to stuff four XT20s if you use the same amount in each cabinet that I did (92 grams). The damping material that I bought includes 1 pound of polyfill which is about 452 grams worth. IMO stuffing the cabinets on the XT20 is a must!!!
@@generationbehindhifi Perfect! I agree 100%. Any decent speaker is usually filled completely and it is odd they did not do so, especially since it costs little extra.
BTW... worth mentioning... if you have to place these speakers close to a wall/corner, then I suggest stuffing the ports to calm down the boomy response they tend to have. A sock works very well.
Love to see you teardown and test the RSL CG3M / CG23M speakers. Great value for the cost.
@@csimet Thanks for the suggestion. I will keep RSL in mind but I think I'm too small to matter to them (my channel).
Fosho , you have to teardown the fabled Sony SSCS5 and JBL Studio 530
I already did the JBL Studio 530 and its very impressive! Especially at the under $300 sale price. :)
I’m indecisive between Polk tx120 or the crewin Vega LA 165 . Break down on pro and cons best bang for your buck . Thanks
You should have look at the look inside video of the LA165. IMO the LA165s are better built and to me sound a little better. I especially like the tweeter on the LA165s over the XT20s. Keep in mind that sound quality is a very subjective topic so I would recommend you order both pairs and return the pair you don't like.
@@generationbehindhifi thank you
Are Fozi and Aiyima mono amps on your radar
At this time I'm keeping it primarily to speakers. I barely have enough time to finish my videos on speakers. :)
@@generationbehindhifi keep up the good work. Your doing an amazing entertaining job
@@BoRerunn Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words!
@@generationbehindhifi fosho
Hi GenerationBehindHifi guy, I like your style of reviews, but the echo sound of your voice is atrocious. Please for your own good get some proper close mic (RODE etc). Thank you.
Sorry! I'm still new to this. I'll probably quit doing live intros on my videos because a lot of you seem to dislike them. If you know of a mic that will work well. let me know and I'll buy it.
Hello. What do you recommend for my Aiwa amu-120BT amplifier Polk Monitor XT20 or Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf? Thank you. @generationbehindhifi
Neither. Get the JBL Studio 630 from Crutchfield. They are currently on sale for $349.99 a pair. That's a steal!
@@generationbehindhifi How are these JBL Studio 630 different from these? I'm just new to this.
@@kenanguliyev1947 I would order both and decide for yourself. You could easily return the one you don't like for a full refund since Polk, Elac and Crutchfield all have great return policies. As for differences, the drivers, crossover, and cabinet are much better on the JBL. The JBL is on a super sale right now and IMO offers phenomenal value for money.
@@generationbehindhifi thanks for the advice, I should definitely buy JBL, their sound is much better than Elac or Polk
@@kenanguliyev1947 At the price point you're working with then yes, I think the JBL's are a much better buy than the other two options you presented. The JBL 630 is a $700 speaker that is currently on sale for $349.99 from Crutchfield.