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Polk’s HTS 10 and HTS 12 subwoofers are no longer sold new on Amazon. If you were planning to buy one, the closest current replacements are Polk’s Monitor XT10 / XT12 (budget) and Signature Elite ES10 / ES12 (step-up). Details below.
The HTS 10 and HTS 12 were Polk’s mid-range home theater subwoofers, sold alongside its Signature series speakers. They were well regarded for solid build quality and Polk’s Power Port design, which is shaped to reduce port noise at higher volumes. If you own one, it’s still a capable sub and there’s no reason to replace it unless you need more output.
What replaced them
Polk Signature Elite ES10 and ES12
Best for: Signature Elite speaker owners and medium to large rooms
- 10- or 12-inch long-throw woofer
- 200 W class-D (ES10)
- Dual power ports
- 360° Time-Smart phase control
The Signature Elite subs are the natural successors to the HTS line. They use mineral-filled polymer cones, braced ported cabinets and continuously variable phase control, and they’re styled to match Polk’s Signature Elite speakers. The ES12 is the larger option for bigger rooms.
- Matches Signature Elite speakers
- Variable phase for easier blending
- Braced cabinet
- Priced well above budget subs
- Ported cabinet is fairly large
Polk Monitor XT10 and XT12
Best for: Monitor XT speaker systems and small to medium rooms
- 10- or 12-inch woofer
- 100 W amplifier
- Front-firing port
- LFE and line inputs
The Monitor XT subs are Polk’s entry-level options. They don’t have the amplifier power of the old HTS 12, but they’re simple, well-voiced and easy to place. The XT10 suits smaller rooms; the XT12 has a little more output.
- Affordable
- Easy to integrate
- Matches Monitor XT speakers
- Modest amplifiers
- Not for large rooms
Should you buy a used HTS 10 or HTS 12?
A used HTS sub can be a good deal if it’s cheap and works properly. Before buying, play a low test tone at moderate volume and listen for rattles or scraping (signs of a damaged driver), check that it powers up and auto-standby works, and make sure the amplifier doesn’t hum with no signal. Our guides to signs of a blown subwoofer and testing a subwoofer explain what to check.
Other alternatives worth considering
- SVS SB-1000 Pro: our overall favourite, with app-based EQ. See the review.
- Klipsch R-120SW: more output per dollar for home theater. See the review.
- ELAC Debut 3.0 12-inch: a sealed alternative for music-first systems.