Believe me, I'm not bashing Polk

[mpdhrd]

I've noticed that the "official Polk Audio Thread" is by far the most popular in the speakers section here on the forums. It also seems that most people on this site have polks in their setup. Does this mean Polk is the best speaker (per dollar), the most popular (per number of owners), or simply the most available (being pushed at places that everyone goes to like Best Buy)? Dont get me wrong because I own two pairs of Polk RTi25 bookshelves that I use as surrounds now and were at one time the fronts in my office setup. I enjoy them a lot and for the dollar they are nice.

But why is Polk so popular here? Do you like the look of the towers (skinny and black like everything else). Do you like the sound - does it beat out similarly priced speakers you have listened to? If given the chance to re-purchase or upgrade, would you go with Polk again?

I like mine and if I were to build a budget system or help a friend with his first HT setup, I'd probably go with Polk. But for myself, now that I'm a little older and like to think my tastes have matured, I'd be willing to drop a little more cash on something with a more refined look and more refined sound. What do you think?

Matt

[solarrdadd]

I don't think polk is the best speaker out there and all of my speakers are polks, all 7 of them except for my sub. I love my polks, but, i think that i've had them for about 4 years now (my front 3) i think in about another year or so i'd like to try a different brand unless polk comes out with something new to keep me with them. I dare suspect that for the dollar, polks are the most popular. they sound good and they are a well known name. i suspect that more folks starting out might go with polks, not all, but a pretty good sized number would. some will stay for life and others, like myself are curious about what other brands offer, i'm interested in both the emo speakers, their big towers and i also like paradigm for me, thou, the paradigm are a little on the expensive which might only mean, i'd have to save a bit longer to get them. mind you i still love the polks that i have and these years they have been very good to me. however, i am interested in some other brands and might just give them a try. I am going to keep my 4 surrounds i think for what they do and when they do it, my TSi200's & 100's in the back are perfect and would not change them. if/when i do change i'll do a complete matched front 3. maybe by then polk will have something out to WoW me!

[Scooby Blu]

I liked Polk speakers when I was younger. But as I have aged I prefer the sound of B&W's. I purchased the 600 series but down the road I would like to upgrade again to one of their more refined lines of speakers that B&W has. Don't get me wrong the B&W's sound killer! But one can only afford so much at a time. But as the saying goes sound is subjective and what one finds to be killer another person might not like that type of sound at all. That is why there are so many different lines of speakers in the world.

[Steve]

I think we've already looked at a couple of the key points. First is they are readily available for almost anyone locally. They also have an authorized Ebay store (which noone else hardly has). Second, they're affordable. Third, they sound good. I can't help but think when most people are putting their first systems together they haven't done a ton of research, nor do they want to go with nothing long enough to save up for B&Ws or some of the other more expensive brands. I don't own Polks personally, and never have, but I have listened to them and IMO they're a good balance of performance, style and price.

[Johnny Vinyl]

I think that Polk is a wonderful speaker for those that want to get into the HT game at a cost that is reasonable and a sound that is respectable for what you pay. Many stay with them upgrade after upgrade, in part because of their price-to-perfomance ratio and also because they haven't taken the time to consider other speakers. Many times the video portion of their HT setup takes precedence and "acceptable" sound suits those people just fine. As such, little consideration is given to how much better a system, any system, can sound with a speaker upgrade of higher quality. The previous statement is not a knock on Polk at all, please bare that in mind.

John

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by John72953

I think that Polk is a wonderful speaker for those that want to get into the HT game at a cost that is reasonable and a sound that is respectable for what you pay. Many stay with them upgrade after upgrade, in part because of their price-to-perfomance ratio and also because they haven't taken the time to consider other speakers. Many times the video portion of their HT setup takes precedence and "acceptable" sound suits those people just fine. As such, little consideration is given to how much better a system, any system, can sound with a speaker upgrade of higher quality. The previous statement is not a knock on Polk at all, please bare that in mind.

John

I agree with you john, i suspect that more folks who are into serious 2 channel sound needs will go for a more high-dollar speaker that will fit there specific needs differently than say someone who has just home theater needs or is on the 60/40 or higher for movies scale. i have music cd's not a lot though. i am amassing a collection of SACD & DVD-A media and am really looking to get some speakers that to my opinion help me to enjoy them in a fuller way than i'm enjoying them now. mind you most of them are multichannel discs so, while my primary use for speakers is HT, my secondary use is HD audio music. i loved my polks for a good long while and think that my ear and my curiousity are slowly, but surely outgrowing them. when i find the front three for me to move onto, i'm sure the next owner of my existing polk front 3 will be very, very happy!

Oh, John, when are you going to get some pictures of them Totems up or do I need to get my camera and drive up to Oakville and do it myself for ya!?!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

I agree with you john, i suspect that more folks who are into serious 2 channel sound needs will go for a more high-dollar speaker that will fit there specific needs differently than say someone who has just home theater needs or is on the 60/40 or higher for movies scale. i have music cd's not a lot though. i am amassing a collection of SACD & DVD-A media and am really looking to get some speakers that to my opinion help me to enjoy them in a fuller way than i'm enjoying them now. mind you most of them are multichannel discs so, while my primary use for speakers is HT, my secondary use is HD audio music. i loved my polks for a good long while and think that my ear and my curiousity are slowly, but surely outgrowing them. when i find the front three for me to move onto, i'm sure the next owner of my existing polk front 3 will be very, very happy!

Oh, John, when are you going to get some pictures of them Totems up or do I need to get my camera and drive up to Oakville and do it myself for ya!?!

Here ya go!

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John

[Clark Kent]

2 turntables!

[solarrdadd]

thanks, i see you didn't want me to have to get that passport out and cross the boarder ay, ay!
the bacon sizzles, and we love bacon!
they are very nice, how do they sound? i think you are in an incredbly small crow with the totems. i don't see many folks listing them in their signature. I have no doubt that they sound great, just never seen them in person.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

2 turntables!

Oh yeah! It's all about the vinyl, baby! indeed!

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

thanks, i see you didn't want me to have to get that passport out and cross the boarder ay, ay!
the bacon sizzles, and we love bacon!
they are very nice, how do they sound? i think you are in an incredbly small crow with the totems. i don't see many folks listing them in their signature. I have no doubt that they sound great, just never seen them in person.

Yoiu can come and visit anytime and I'll be sure to have plenty of traditional Canadian Back Bacon on hand! Along with some great Canadian beer!

As far as I know, I am the ONLY member that has Totem speakers! A few people looked at them, a few would like them and I think some may still be considering them, but alas I stand alone. Their sound is really geared for music, which I why I chose them. They can be described as being slightly colored or warm, and they absolutely excel with female vocalists and acoustic material. The lower end is surprisingly solid for such a small speaker and I have yet to feel the need to add a sub for 2-channel listening. The other thing I really like about them is their very wide off-axis dispersion. Mine are spread apart 8'6" from centre-to-centre in a Toe-OUT position and they are amazing! I love them!LOL!

John

[mpdhrd]

It seems the early concensus is that Polk is a good entry level, budget speaker... and I agree. They have an unoffensive generic look (that's not a knock) with slim black speakers that will pass most WAF's, and they actually have a decent sound. I just wish a company with the history and popularity of Polk would instead of adding a second, third, or fourth 5&1/4" driver with every step up to its model, would go to a set of 8", 10", or 12" drivers and create a really cool high end huge speaker. Most receiver companies have a full range of entry level, mid level, and high end receivers with significant upgrades in features, weight, and quality... why dont mainstream speaker companies do the same thing? (some do to varying degrees). I would like to see a speaker company like Polk try to have entry level, mid level, and high end speakers rather than being just an entry level company. I suppose that if the market demanded it, companies would build more high end speakers, but Polk and others are going to continue to build speakers their customers are buying and continue to ask for.... and that's a good thing.

[Uniquely]

Polks are a nice speaker with a good price to performance ratio. Polks... like Klipsch.... can be a great first step out of HTiB's and into separates.

[Twitch9]

Pollk is a mass produced speaker that is affordable for most, but IMO still over priced for what you are getting. Polk use to make a very good speaker but was more concerned with the all mighty dollar instead of quality. This is why Polk is in every big box store around being sold by people who don't know a true quality speaker. There are many smaller speaker companies out there that sell speakers in the same price range as Polk but are harder to find a lesser known, i think if people would just take more time when choosing speakers you would see a lot less people buying Polk on this site. JMO.

[Linksys2.4]

Originally Posted by mpdhrd

It seems the early concensus is that Polk is a good entry level, budget speaker... and I agree. They have an unoffensive generic look (that's not a knock) with slim black speakers that will pass most WAF's, and they actually have a decent sound. I just wish a company with the history and popularity of Polk would instead of adding a second, third, or fourth 5&1/4" driver with every step up to its model, would go to a set of 8", 10", or 12" drivers and create a really cool high end huge speaker. Most receiver companies have a full range of entry level, mid level, and high end receivers with significant upgrades in features, weight, and quality... why dont mainstream speaker companies do the same thing? (some do to varying degrees). I would like to see a speaker company like Polk try to have entry level, mid level, and high end speakers rather than being just an entry level company. I suppose that if the market demanded it, companies would build more high end speakers, but Polk and others are going to continue to build speakers their customers are buying and continue to ask for.... and that's a good thing.

I have to disagree with what's been said regarding Polk being a true "entry level" speaker, which kind of equates to "cheap" and "for beginners"...isn't it true that they have more expensive models in their lineup that aren't that "inexpensive"? Some of their more pricey models aren't that "cheap" nor do they fit into "entry level" IMO.

That said, I am wondering if I should stick with Polk when I get ready for my speaker upgrade -- I want to upgrade from bookshelves to floor standing towers, but I'm not sure of what brand to go with.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Linksys2.4

I have to disagree with what's been said regarding Polk being a true "entry level" speaker, which kind of equates to "cheap" and "for beginners"...isn't it true that they have more expensive models in their lineup that aren't that "inexpensive"? Some of their more pricey models aren't that "cheap" nor do they fit into "entry level" IMO.

That said, I am wondering if I should stick with Polk when I get ready for my speaker upgrade -- I want to upgrade from bookshelves to floor standing towers, but I'm not sure of what brand to go with.

Depending on your budget, Let me suggest you listen to some Dali Concept 6's or 8's. I heard those the other day and for $1K-$1300 I haven't found a better speaker yet! Detailed, clear, warm sound that made the Monitor Audio RS6's ($1100/pr) sound muddled. And the MA's are fantastic.

If you are in the $500-$1000 range, look at Energy, PSB or Kef.

[HAMP]

I may be an odd ball on this Polk subject.
When I first came to blu-ray.com I had a cheap less then $100 HTiB in my bedroom, little more then $100 for a second HTiB and a launch PS3 for my main TV and I honestly didn't know better.

When I first came to this site and reading everyone's opinion on speakers, the most popular at that time were the Klipsch... Klipsch this, klipsch that and on and on.

I didn't really audition different sets of speakers, but I knew about the high-end and I wasn't about to spend that kinda money. Don't get me wrong, I love my set-up and have learned some things and still learning.

I'm in an apt. and when I move into my house I will be checking into different speakers.

I am also interested in Paradigm's and I love how they look, I need to listen to them so I know how they sound.

I think I started out ok with what I have I just didn't do enough investigating before buying them. The odd thing is, I check out almost everything before I buy.

I remember when the site started getting more and more people and the questions was, What is the cheapest or best price for a set of speakers. I remember the answer being POLK 6750’s and then it started going up and up with different model number’s and now it’s just all about Polk’s.

I’m not knocking them, because I have not heard them except for the 6750’s and at one point I thought about getting them for my bedroom.

[THE_FORCE]

Personally I think the reason there are so many Polk owners on here is due to the 'Snowball Effect'. New members see other, more established members' recommendations for Polk, and so purchase them for themselves. New members join up, see that Polk are gaining popularity, and so assume them to be the safest bet.

I've watched it happen over on the AVForums for the last couple of years. When I first joined, it was Monitor Audio that was being pushed by the more prominent members and the newer members were almost becoming brainwashed as to that should be their only speaker of choice.

Now the trend has swung to M&K (for some strange reason that I can't fathom ?). They are admittedly good speakers, but a few of the prominent members are pushing them as the best thing since sliced bread, which I find a bit biased and narrow-minded. The, shall we say, less well informed new members see this, and so join the 'M&K' club without even auditioning any other speaker brands offerings.

Luckily it's not as bad over here, but it has put me off visiting the speaker section on that forum. Peeps need to be open minded, and consider many manufacturers - not just the popular ones. Ater all,the real 'sound' of a speaker is difficult to quantify.

[talstarone]

Every few months someone comes up with a thread like this one.
If you are not a Polk fan that is more then fine.There are indeed much better speakers available.And you dont have to try to defend anything by saying you arent Polk Bashing.

I just smile as these threads get built up and after a while forgotten about.The Polk thread is the most active for several reasons,not just because of the speakers themselves.A lot of it has to do with those who post on the Polk Thread(and also post on many other threads on the Forum).

A lot of former and even non-Polk owners post on the Polk Thread(including some members who have posted on this thread).Its a place to explore a lot of ideas and options.Its also a place where good friends get together and (yes chat about their Polks)but also about their systems among other things.

It is funny though,as in all my time here(which isnt long)but also looking over threads that were here before I was.You never see a thread like this based on another brand of speaker.

No matter the initial intentions of this thread when it starts,it always ends up with people saying they dislike Polks and why.Like I said earlier if you like other speakers better the Polks that is Great.But why not spend your time posting about the good things those speakers you perfer have to offer.Either in their threads or in a thread built for them like this thread.

Just seems easier and more polite to find a speaker you like and talk about its good points instead of finding a speaker you dont like and talking about what "bad" properties it may possess.Only thing I ask(And the One thing I Really Hope) is that there be NO Hard Feelings between anyone posting here(as normally there develops a little back and forth bickering between members).

Heck I know some of you(some better then others)and wouldnt hold anything you said about any type of speaker against you(after all it is only a speaker).I just dont want to see this turn into a Hate Thread that has members mad at other members...Cant we just all Love our Speakers and Sytems

[Irrob]

Originally Posted by talstarone

Every few months someone comes up with a thread like this one.
If you are not a Polk fan that is more then fine.There are indeed much better speakers available.And you dont have to try to defend anything by saying you arent Polk Bashing.

I just smile as these threads get built up and after a while forgotten about.The Polk thread is the most active for several reasons,not just because of the speakers themselves.A lot of it has to do with those who post on the Polk Thread(and also post on many other threads on the Forum).

A lot of former and even non-Polk owners post on the Polk Thread(including some members who have posted on this thread).Its a place to explore a lot of ideas and options.Its also a place where good friends get together and (yes chat about their Polks)but also about their systems among other things.

It is funny though,as in all my time here(which isnt long)but also looking over threads that were here before I was.You never see a thread like this based on another brand of speaker.

No matter the initial intentions of this thread when it starts,it always ends up with people saying they dislike Polks and why.Like I said earlier if you like other speakers better the Polks that is Great.But why not spend your time posting about the good things those speakers you perfer have to offer.Either in their threads or in a thread built for them like this thread.

Just seems easier and more polite to find a speaker you like and talk about its good points instead of finding a speaker you dont like and talking about what "bad" properties it may possess.Only thing I ask(And the One thing I Really Hope) is that there be NO Hard Feelings between anyone posting here(as normally there develops a little back and forth bickering between members).

Heck I know some of you(some better then others)and wouldnt hold anything you said about any type of speaker against you(after all it is only a speaker).I just dont want to see this turn into a Hate Thread that has members mad at other members...Cant we just all Love our Speakers and Ssytems

well said. now can we put an end to Polk bashing threads, thinly veiled or not?

[callas01]

Yeah the POLK thread is the most popular but also understand that for about the last 6 months it is off-topic about 70-85% of the time. Mostly it is the general discussion forum. I think that started because Tals, Aerodude, Fors and Don, and the rest of the "ECPP" all became friends and would just chat with one another. Then over time, people with other speakers like Aramis, Jwilly, Louhamilton, Crazyblue and myself join in with just the randomness of the conversations. Trust me, it is not always Polk speakers that are being recommended on that thread, there have been Def Tech, Energys, Jamos, Polks, Kefs, MAs and many other speakers that all get tossed around to the new members or existing members looking into new speakers.

As far as speakers it just they are cheap and people can afford them and they can find them easily. The Energy brand blew up quickly too when they discontinued the C series. I am sure once newegg runs out of speakers things may change some.... who knows