Polk HTS 10 Review – Quality Mid-Range 10″ Sub [2023]

A great subwoofer can transform a home theater experience. In our Polk Audio HTS 10 Review, we outline whether this 10″ sub from Polk Audio is up to the job. This Polk 10-inch subwoofer is powerful and has an attractive design. But is it worth the money? Check out our review for our opinion.

Polk Audio HTS 10 Powered Subwoofer
  • Powerful and Accurate Bass Reproduction
  • Sleek and Attractive Black Design
  • 200W Power + 25Hz-180Hz Response Range
  • Compact Footprint For Easier Placement
  • Low Pass Filter + LFE and Stereo RCA



Key Specifications

Dimensions 16.5″ (H) x 15.1″ (W) x 16.1″ (D)
Weight37.8 pounds
Subwoofer TypePowered Subwoofer
Enclosure TypeFloor Firing Power Port / Ported Enclosure
Enclosure MaterialMedium-density Fibreboard (MDF)
Power100 Watts RMS / 200 Watts (Peak) – Class D Amplifier
Frequency Response25 Hz – 180 Hz / 30-120 Hz (-3dB)
Woofer:10″  Polypropylene Dynamic Balance/Klippel optimized driver
Connectivity OptionsLFE and Stereo Line-in
Warranty5 Years (Driver) & 3 Years (Electronics)
Onboard ControlsVariable Crossover Filter (40Hz – 160Hz), Gain/Volume dial,
and Phase Switch (0/180°)
Additional FeaturesIndicator light, Auto on/off, DC Control, and detachable grill
Check Out All The Best Subwoofers!
Best Overall
SVS SB-1000 Pro
Fan Favorite
Klipsch R-120SW
Best Value
Jamo C912
Upgrade Pick
SVS PB-2000 Pro
Budget Pick (10")
Sony SACS9
Compact Pick (10")
Klipsch R-100SW
Honorable Mention
Polk Audio HTS 12
Top Picks
Top Picks
SVS SB-1000 Pro
Klipsch R-120SW
Jamo C912
SVS PB-2000 Pro
Sony SACS9
Klipsch R-100SW
Polk Audio HTS 12

What’s Included With Polk HTS 10 Subwoofer:

  • 10″ Powered Subwoofer [Ported Enclosure]
  • Detachable Speaker Grill
  • 8′ AC Power Cord
  • Owner’s Manual and Registration Sheets

Product Summary: Polk Audio HTS 10

Polk HTS 10
Polk HTS 10 With Grill

The Polk Audio HTS 10 powered subwoofer from Polk Audio is a 10″ subwoofer with Polk Audio’s proprietary Dynamic Balance technology. It fills any home theater with immersive, three-dimensional surround sound and great sound quality. Polk speakers are known for their sound quality. The Polk Audio HTS 10 is no different. Its integrated amplifier has 200 Watts (peak) and is up to the task of delivering accurate and deep bass. The best subwoofers can transform the experience for music and home theater systems. Even smaller subs such as this. The Polk Audio HTS 10 is only a 10″ subwoofer. It’s still powerful enough to shake the walls with bass. Polk touts its patented power port technology for deeper bass response. The fact that it achieves powerful bass without distortion is even more impressive. Even at high volumes, clean bass is maintained.

Its sturdy construction and attractive design are additional benefits. Polk lists its frequency response as 25Hz to 180Hz. That’s impressive for a 10″ subwoofer at this price. You’ll find connectivity ports and built-in controls on its back panel. The Polk Audio HTS 10 offers two line-level inputs (LFE and stereo) to transmit an audio signal. LFE is ideal for bass management if you have an AV receiver with a sub pre-out. You should have no problem connecting this subwoofer to a receiver or amplifier. Built-in controls include a volume/gain dial, low pass filter, and phase correction switch. If you like these features and want more power, the larger HTS 12 might be worth a look.

Polk Audio HTS 10 Highlights

Polk HTS 10 Back Panel
Back Panel of Polk HTS 10

200W of Deep Bass Power On Board

The Polk HTS 10 has a dynamic balance driver, which enables it to minimize distortions regardless of the volume level. Who doesn’t love clear bass? Its 200W of peak power is enough for thunderous bass when movies call for it. This subwoofer also makes use of its patented power port technology that eliminates port noise when it’s in use. That’s clean, powerful, and accurate bass with none of the unwanted port noise.

Clean and Attractive Polk Audio Black Design

The sleek, rounded corners are part of its aesthetically pleasing, attractive design. The Polk HTS 10’s modern design can integrate into your home with its sleek black appearance. Its arched edges give the Polk Audio HTS 10 a sophisticated look. Great sound quality is not as enjoyable when your home theater system is an eyesore. The Polk Audio HTS 10 is a great subwoofer that looks the part too. You can also tell it’s well constructed for greater durability. Quality materials will help avoid future issues like rattling or the subwoofer bottoming out.

LFE and Onboard Controls

The Polk Audio HTS 10’s built-in controls give you onboard bass management options. A low pass filter dial (40Hz-160Hz) is available to dial-in the crossover frequency. There is also a variable volume dial and phase correction switch. Connectivity options include LFE and stereo RCA. A single subwoofer cable via LFE is the best option to manage bass through your AV receiver.

Floor-Firing Power Port Technology

The Polk Audio HTS 10’s floor-firing port is a big selling point. Ported subs are typically preferred for home theatre. They usually produce deep bass easier than sealed subs. Port noise is a common issue with ported subs though. The patented power port technology is a floor-firing design that allows for smoother airflow. As a result, the Polk Audio HTS 10 minimizes distortion and port noise for cleaner overall sound quality.


Polk HTS 10 Subwoofer: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Good Sound Quality + Accurate Bass
  • Capable of Deep and Powerful Bass
  • Smaller 10″ Subwoofer with Solid Power
  • Attractive and Sleek Design

Cons

  • Only $100+ cheaper than more premium subwoofers
  • Not the Loudest or Biggest Bass
  • Tempting to not opt for 12″ sub at this price point

Polk HTS 10 Verdict: Great 10″ Sub At Challenging Price Point

HTS 10 Review Summary Graphic

The Polk Audio HTS 10 is a great sub at a tough price point. The clean and accurate bass at this price point is a great value. It’s also not far from the $500 price point where many can opt for truly premium price subwoofers. That also includes 12″ subwoofers with more power and deeper bass. Its great sound quality still can not be discounted. It’s a worthy option for boosting low frequencies in any home theater. It’s an even better fit for those who want powerful and deep bass in a smaller footprint. The larger Polk HTS 12 is a good option if you want more power. You can check out our review of the HTS 12 here.

Leave a Comment