Polk Monitor XT60 Midnight Black
Score: 80/100
JBL Bar 500
Score: 77/100Rankings
The Polk XT60 tower speaker delivers deep bass and high-resolution detail with full Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, making it a strong budget floor-standing option. Its limitations include a single woofer that caps peak volume and a heavier-than-advertised weight. Ideal for entry-level immersive home-theater setups in medium-sized rooms.
The JBL Bar 500 offers a 5.1-channel experience with 590 W total power, Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam virtual surround, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. It misses HDMI eARC and true rear speakers, which can limit high-end audio fidelity. Best suited for apartment dwellers wanting immersive sound without the complexity of multiple speakers.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
2 | 5.1best | |
— | 590 Wbest | |
86 dBbest | — | |
6.5 in | 10.24 inbest | |
1 inbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 20 lb | 6.173 lbbest |
5 yearsbest | 1 years | |
— | 4best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(3) | ||
Audio Channels | 2 | 5.1 |
Frequency Response (Hz) | 38-40000 Hz | 35-20000 Hz |
Woofer Size (in) | 6.5 in | 10.24 in |
General(1) | ||
Warranty (years) | 5 years | 1 years |
Build & Design(2) | ||
System Weight (lb) | 20 lb | 6.1729 lb |
System Dimensions (H×W×D) (cm) | 36.4 x 7.5 x 9.09 in cm | 101.7×5.6×10.35 cm cm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers describe the XT60 as a budget-oriented floor-standing speaker that punches above its price class, offering hi-res certification, dynamic full-range sound, and effortless bass thanks to the passive radiators, making it a solid choice for entry-level immersive home-theater setups.
Everyday buyers give mixed feedback, praising the energetic bass, detailed highs, and immersive staging for movies and music, while noting concerns about the speaker's actual weight and occasional lack of refinement at higher listening levels.
“The thundering bass from the 10" sub makes movies feel like a theater.”
“PureVoice makes dialogue crystal clear, so I never have to crank up the volume.”
Professional reviewers commend the JBL Bar 500 for its massive 590 W output, deep 35 Hz bass from the 10-inch wireless subwoofer, and the combination of MultiBeam™ and Dolby Atmos that creates convincing 3D sound without rear speakers. They also highlight PureVoice for crystal-clear dialogue and praise the easy wireless subwoofer setup via the JBL One app. However, they note the lack of HDMI eARC, limited input selection, and the inherent limitations of virtual surround compared to true discrete rear channels.
Everyday users love the thundering bass, immersive Atmos height effects, and clear dialogue that make movies and games more engaging. Common complaints focus on occasional Bluetooth lag, subwoofer hum when placed poorly, limited HDMI/optical inputs, and the desire for rear speakers to complete a true surround experience.
