Quick Polk question...

[McGarnigal]

Sorry, i thought if i threw this in the official thread it might get mixed in the wash- anyways, I'm housesitting for friends, they have an all Polk setup, with towers, large center, sub, and bookshelves as surrounds. They have an onkyo 602 receiver, and the settings are good, think they had a geek squad in hom setup years ago. Anyways i dont like the sounds of the speakers, mainly the towers R40s, Does this mean i wouldnt like most polks or is it safe to say these are a cheaper model not fairly representing others? Thanks

[callas01]

Well the polks will share a similar sound all the way through their R, TSi and RTi lines, the LSis are completely different. The R/M, TSi and RTi's all use the silk dome tweeters and similar drivers, so yes the sound will be somewhat the same.... However as you go up the line, they get more refind.

I have found the TSi lines are a little warmer and more laidback then the Monitors, they aren't drastically different, but they are less bright sounding and more musical then the Monitor line, IMO.

If your looking at getting speakers, I would really audition speakers and find the sound that you like.

[ls7z06]

If by M40 you mean Monitor 40, I think those are book shelf speakers, not towers. Maybe there was a tower called a M40, but I can't find it on Polk's web sight under past models. I do have a full set of current model RTiA series Polks in my HT set up, and a set of Polk LSi9's in my 2 channel stereo set up. I am very, very pleased with both. There are better speakers for sure. But from everything I have seen and listened to, it would take about $10K to do better with a full change out of speakers..... and I am not really sure you can do much better than the LSi9's unlesss you get totally rediculous on cost. They are really amazing for music listening. Just my opinion.

[McGarnigal]

If you're referring to my post, i said R40, if that clears that up

[ls7z06]

Sorry. Not sure if I imagined that or what!

[callas01]

Originally Posted by ls7z06

If by M40 you mean Monitor 40, I think those are book shelf speakers, not towers. Maybe there was a tower called a M40, but I can't find it on Polk's web sight under past models. I do have a full set of current model RTiA series Polks in my HT set up, and a set of Polk LSi9's in my 2 channel stereo set up. I am very, very pleased with both. There are better speakers for sure. But from everything I have seen and listened to, it would take about $10K to do better with a full change out of speakers..... and I am not really sure you can do much better than the LSi9's unlesss you get totally rediculous on cost. They are really amazing for music listening. Just my opinion.

I have to beg to differ, while the LSi's are great speakers, I have to say the Dali speakers I have heard were better and they were about the same price. And actually the Concept 8 which are about $1300 floored the Cantons ($4000) next to them. However the Ikon series which is about $3000-3500(Ikon 7s) are probably the best speakers I have heard. I haven't had the chance to hear the Dynaudios, but I would bet that the Excite or the Focus would be better speakers also and they are between $2500-3800 for Towers.

However this isn't a debate that the LSi speakers are not very musical speakers, just that there are equal if not better speakers in the same price range.

[ls7z06]

I have not been as fortunate as you to audition so many nice speakers. As said so many times on these forums, speaker selection is a matter of personal preference. Of what I have listened to, and according to the so called expert reviews, and even according to the ISF guy that calibrated my system, the speakers I mentioned are hard to beat without spending a ton more money, especially so with the LSi9's. But my opinion is just based on what I have been exposed to.

[ls7z06]

Oh, and back to the OP's question....

In looking at the R40's, it seems they are an entry level inexpensive speaker. Probably not fair to compare them to anything other than other speakers in the same class.

[McGarnigal]

Thanks, i need to try out more of everything i can get my hands on...

[callas01]

Originally Posted by ls7z06

I have not been as fortunate as you to audition so many nice speakers. As said so many times on these forums, speaker selection is a matter of personal preference. Of what I have listened to, and according to the so called expert reviews, and even according to the ISF guy that calibrated my system, the speakers I mentioned are hard to beat without spending a ton more money, especially so with the LSi9's. But my opinion is just based on what I have been exposed to.

speakers are most definetly personal preference. I agree. And the LSis are really nice speakers and I wouldn't put them down ever, I prefer the nice warm sound they are known for. You should try and seek out some other high end speakers. You will be amazed at what you can find. Anyways, you have a sweet setup.

Originally Posted by McGarnigal

Thanks, i need to try out more of everything i can get my hands on...

Yes, I can compeltely agree. As both ls7z06 and I stated speakers are personal, and you should spend time listening to as many as possible.

Try all of these
Monitor Audio
PSB
Energy
Polk
Klipsch
Kef

and anything else you can find.

[Hammie]

When I was auditioning Polk Speakers years ago, I did not like the Polk/Onkyo combination. I much preferred the warmer sound of the Denon/Polk combination.

Best bet it to take some VERY familiar music and movies and go audition different combinations of receivers and speakers until you find the "sound" you like. then plan your budget, time frame, and purchase order for the setup.

I would try not to buy everything at once. You will need at least a receiver and the fronts to start with. After I would consider the center and then surrounds last.

Good luck!