Why Polk makes sense for real homes
Surround sound shouldn’t be complicated or costly. Polk Audio delivers big, cinematic sound at realistic prices. Three 5.1 packs, three budgets, one goal: make movies, TV, and games feel alive in your room.
What “value without compromise” means here
Clear dialogue, punchy bass, easy setup. Cabinets built to last. Sensible upgrades as you move up. No gimmicks—just performance that scales with your space and budget.
All three packs are true 5.1: front left/right, centre, surrounds, and a subwoofer for low-end impact.
Good: Monitor XT15AV 5.1 Speaker Package — £649.99
The affordable doorway to real home cinema. Compact speakers. Big clarity. Easy to place.
Why choose it
• Ideal for flats, bedrooms, and smaller lounges
• Bookshelf fronts deliver crisp detail without dominating the room
• Smart first system or upgrade from a TV/soundbar
What you’ll hear
• Clear dialogue and believable effects placement
• Solid bass for movies without overpowering neighbours
Who it’s for
• First-time surround buyers who want maximum value
Better: Monitor XT70AV 5.1 Cinema Pack — £999.99
Step up to floorstanders for more scale and presence. This is where action scenes feel larger and music gains weight.
Why choose it
• Tower fronts move more air for deeper, cleaner bass
• Bigger soundstage that fills medium to large rooms
• Noticeable upgrade in impact and dynamics over the XT15AV set
What you’ll hear
• Fuller explosions, more convincing sweep in surround pans
• Stronger music performance for concert films and stereo listening
Who it’s for
• Upgraders and anyone with a larger lounge who wants “cinema feel”
Perfect XT Series AVR Partner: Denon X1800H
One of the most affordable and powerful 8K AVRs on the market, the Denon X1800H boasts 7.2 Channels, 175W of power and it's exclusive to Peter Tyson. It's ideal to run the Polk Audio XT15, XT60 and XT70 speaker packs.
Star Buy: Bundle the XT15AV pack and the Denon X1800H together for only £999 here.
Best: Signature Elite 5.1 AV Pack — £1,149.00
The polished, premium choice in this trio. Refined cabinetry and upgraded drivers bring extra detail, dynamics, and finish.
Why choose it
• Cleaner, more nuanced treble and midrange for dialogue and music
• Greater dynamic swing for action, sports, and gaming
• Premium look that suits modern living spaces
What you’ll hear
• Sharper imaging, more “there in the room” presence
• A tighter, more controlled low end
Who it’s for
• Movie lovers who also care about music quality and finish
Perfect Elite Series AVR Partner: Marantz CINEMA 60
The Marantz CINEMA 60 is another step up from the Denon X1800H with more watts per channel, more connections and a refined and warmer sound thanks to it's expert tuning. It really takes things up a notch in performance as well as looks.
Bundle the Elite 5.1 AV Pack and the Marantz CINEMA 60 together from only £2,049 here.
Climbing the ladder: what you gain at each step
Scale: XT15AV is compact and capable. XT70AV adds room-filling weight. Signature Elite brings cinematic power and polish.
Clarity: All three keep dialogue front and centre. Signature Elite takes detail and imaging further.
Bass: Each system includes a subwoofer. Floorstanders in XT70AV and the refinements in Signature Elite lift low-end authority and control.
Room fit: Choose based on space. Small room? XT15AV. Medium–large? XT70AV. Want the most refined sound and finish? Signature Elite.
Set-up tips for instant results
• Place fronts at ear height and angle slightly toward the sofa
• Keep the centre speaker edge near the TV’s front edge to reduce reflections
• Position surrounds just behind and above ear height for better envelopment
• Start the subwoofer near a front corner, then fine-tune level and crossover in your AV receiver
Upgrade to Dolby Atmos
Probably the hottest topic in home cinema is Dolby Atmos, bringing more immersive sound experiences to your movie nights. Need to know more? Check out our guide.
So we'd be remiss to not include the option to upgrade any of the Monitor XT packs to Dolby Atmos. Add on the Monitor XT90 Atmos Speakers and make sure your AVR supports Dolby Atmos.
The final word
Polk’s 5.1 packs bring proper cinema home without the premium tax. Pick the size and finish that fit your room and budget—performance is baked in.
Polk are also one of those brands that's been around the block, they are a heritage brand in the USA, whereas in the UK they are less well known, but creating a name for themselves. If this is the first you're hearing about Polk Audio check out their history and wider product line up here.
As with any speaker setups hearing is believing. If you want to demo any of theses packs for your home cinema setup or simply get some advice, get in touch with us at our Carlisle, Newcastle or Workington stores.
Ready to hear the difference? XT15AV 5.1 | XT70AV 5.1 | Signature Elite 5.1