Edifier R1700BT vs. Polk Audio HTS 12

Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers Polk Audio HTS 12 Powered Subwoofer
MSRP
$180 $550
Dimensions (H × W × D)
9.75” × 6.00” × 8.00”
248mm × 152mm × 203mm
18.50” × 17.13” × 18.11”
470mm × 435mm × 460mm
Power Type
Powered Powered
Frequency Response
60-20,000 Hz 22-180 Hz
Amazon.com
Amazon.com

Speaker Comparison

When it comes to outfitting your home audio setup, selecting the right components is crucial for achieving that harmonious blend of sonic excellence and practicality. Today, we juxtapose two distinctly different offerings on the audio landscape: the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers and the Polk Audio HTS 12 Powered Subwoofer. These two contenders serve diverse roles within a sound system, and understanding their strengths and purposes is key to optimizing your aural experience.

Design and Build Quality

The Edifier R1700BT speakers exude a charming modern aesthetic, flaunting a sleek, wooden enclosure that's meant to blend seamlessly into contemporary living spaces. The craftsmanship is solid, presenting a compact design that is not only pleasing to the eye but also robust in build. On the flip side, the Polk Audio HTS 12 Subwoofer carries a more imposing presence. Encased in a neatly finished, curved MDF cabinet, the HTS 12 is built to make a statement both visually and acoustically. Its bulkier stature is justified by its purpose – to underpin your audio with deep, resonant bass.

Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
Edifier R1700BT arrow (at Amazon.com)

Performance and Sound Characteristics

At the heart of the R1700BT's appeal is its versatility and nuanced sound delivery. With a 66-watt bookshelf speaker system that includes a 4-inch bass driver and a 19mm tweeter, it's engineered to provide a well-rounded sound profile. The speakers offer a crisp, detailed performance that is a delight for casual listening and can adequately fill small to medium-sized rooms. Meanwhile, the Polk Audio HTS 12 is a subwoofer that specializes in the lower spectrum, featuring a 12-inch driver powered by a 200-watt amplifier (with peak power of 400 watts). It's designed to deliver that guttural punch, adding weight and depth to explosions in movies and the kick drum in music, which smaller speakers like the R1700BT simply cannot match.

When it comes to connectivity, the Edifier R1700BT brings contemporary convenience to the table. With built-in Bluetooth, these bookshelf speakers can wirelessly connect to your favorite devices, making streaming a breeze. In contrast, the Polk HTS 12 lacks Bluetooth functionality as it is designed primarily as a dedicated subwoofer in a wired setup, demanding a traditional connection to an AV receiver or amplifier for its power and input signal.

Polk Audio HTS 12 Powered Subwoofer
Polk Audio HTS 12 arrow (at Amazon.com)

Integration and Usage

The R1700BT and the HTS 12 serve fundamentally different roles in a home audio system. The Edifiers are standalone active speakers with their own amplification, making them an all-in-one solution for those seeking simplicity. They're ideal for users who desire a no-fuss setup with minimal components. The Polk subwoofer, conversely, is a piece of the puzzle in a more elaborate system. It is a passive unit that requires an external amplifier and it is intended to be integrated with other speakers to create a full-range sound system that can capture the full spectrum of audio with added oomph in the low end.

Another key difference lies in the user experience. The Edifier R1700BT speakers come with a handy remote control for volume and muting, as well as dials on the side of the speaker for bass, treble, and volume adjustments, allowing for a more tailored listening experience right out of the box. The Polk HTS 12 offers a different kind of customization, with controls for volume, low pass filter, and phase toggle to fine-tune how it interacts with other speakers in your system.

In conclusion, choosing between the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers and the Polk Audio HTS 12 Powered Subwoofer boils down to understanding your specific needs and preferences. If you're after a compact, attractive, and relatively comprehensive audio solution, the Edifier R1700BT could be your pick. However, if you're building a home theater system or looking to enrich your listening experience with deep, robust bass, the Polk HTS 12 will be a vital addition. Ultimately, both products stand tall in their respective categories, offering a blend of quality, performance, and user-friendliness that can greatly enhance one's sonic enjoyment.


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Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
Polk Audio HTS 12 Powered Subwoofer
Polk Audio HTS 12 Powered Subwoofer
Amazon.com
Amazon.com

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Disclaimer: the speaker data listed on this website are correct to the best of our knowledge, but we do not guarantee the accuracy of the data. Please double-check any measurements with the manufacturer before making a final purchasing decision.