psaudio.com Once upon a time, Polk Audio was the best economy speaker brand in the world. Yet, today, it's rarely heard from and, when it is, sometimes not thought well of. What happened?
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@rcpdox114 жыл бұрын
I am not considered to be an audiophile because I listen on Polks. Fortunately, what others think of me does not in any way lessen my enjoyment of music on them 😀😀😀
@QoraxAudio4 жыл бұрын
Ah well, you watch the channel of PS Audio, so you’re part of the “HiFi family” - according to Paul 😜
@QoraxAudio4 жыл бұрын
@Fat Rat Yeah... the occasional mafiabose. Bad to your health 😜
@centralscrutinizer95914 жыл бұрын
Polk RTi A9's are awesome.
@justingonzalez163 жыл бұрын
Im more of a cinephile than an audiophile so for the price i got my setup for, my movies sound amazing in my home theater with my Polks.
@erbacioglu3 жыл бұрын
Same here, the marginal return in high-end world is so f*#%ing little that so-called audiophiles get pissed off of others' enjoyments - I have pairs of RTi-A9, A5 and Monitor 75T, and I love the way each of them perform!
@johnolson49774 жыл бұрын
The Common people own Polk , Therefore audiophiles hate them.It’s in the Audiophile Club rule book.
@judgegixxer4 жыл бұрын
I coulda sworn I saw Daphne dusting Frasier's Polk R50s. Lmao
@Vincent-lw2sp4 жыл бұрын
Peasants purchasing Polk don't get the rule book.
@ThinkingBetter4 жыл бұрын
You are right. I believe that one major reason audiophiles are slowly disappearing is this attitude that only very expensive gear counts.
@ThinkingBetter4 жыл бұрын
@Fat Rat That's how I would like to see it too. Anyone who wants to pursue the best sound possible within his budget, is an audiophile to me. Reality is sort of like this. You can get better audio fidelity with a US$30 BLON03 earbud + modern smartphone than you get from some even very expensive audiophile systems. Kids need to learn what they are missing and it doesn't cost a lot to get started.
@ThinkingBetter4 жыл бұрын
@Fat Rat It's more of a product management thing I'm talking about. For gaining back the excitement of audiophile performance, you have to do it with very affordable products. Young people buy everything online and have no idea about how good the sound quality is until they get it home. A company like PS Audio could sell a US$30 premium performance earbud and spread the brand awareness to younger people and later sell their more pricey products inc. amps, DACs and speakers as these customers grow up. Audio brands need brand building strategies or the brand awareness and sales will eventually go down.
@trucavalier4 жыл бұрын
I never heard of Polk being bad. All I remember is quality.
@dennisheadley44084 жыл бұрын
Wow-- didn't know people disliked Polk Audio. I always thought they were well regarded within their price range. The ones I've heard sounded fine.
@thunderpooch4 жыл бұрын
Polk has consistency issues. Sometimes their products are great, while other models are not. Audiophile snobs thinks this makes them easy to dismiss. They really aren't. It's representative of a large audio company having to roll out experimentation which is hit and miss. They're a fine company. Keep them on your back radar as they roll out new stuff. Sometimes you can pick up a great model on the cheap for a second or third system or as a gift. Polk is a much needed company and appreciated.
@thunderpooch4 жыл бұрын
@Fat Rat profit/loss? Huh?
@thunderpooch4 жыл бұрын
@Fat Rat What CEO would say, "pick some of our products up on clearance, they're great." Haha "Not all of them, mind you. Many of them suck. But keep your eyes peeled for a steal. Some of our products are amazing bargains."
@thunderpooch4 жыл бұрын
@Fat Rat Ok, I'm the CEO. I'm trying to remain hidden and still defend Polk in the most limp dick inconspicuous way possible, lol.
@thunderpooch4 жыл бұрын
@Fat Rat what does he give away?
@Ace-Brigade2 жыл бұрын
I've been in (used to even work in) car and home audio for 29 years (though now a software developer). I absolutely love polk audio. I think the reason people hate them (which is news to me) is because they sound so damn good for the price range and it makes them feel silly that they spend so much. The truth is they hit way above their weight class. If somebody spends $10,000 on a speaker they don't like to be told that they could have gotten the same sound for $1500, so they convince themselves that their garbage in some way to make themselves feel better.
@megamond2 жыл бұрын
Amen.
@ag4allgood5 ай бұрын
I agree. Bought Polk Studio Monitor 10As in August 1982 & they still are doing the audio work in my A / V system. My brother has been thru 4 different high end speakers in that time. Love my Polk SM 10As for 42 years. BTW I still have the receipt & remember driving 25 miles to an open box sale to get them.
@brianvenable53504 жыл бұрын
I'm extremely happy with my Polk 707's, can listen to them all day with no ear fatigue. They are built like a tank and beautifully styled.
@rashakikizer98894 жыл бұрын
I didn't know Polk became the new Bose to some people. That's some bullshit.
@scottlowell4934 жыл бұрын
I'd take the cheapest polk over the most expensive bose.
@johnolson49774 жыл бұрын
R. Kizer - Sad if it is.....
@rfuesting4 жыл бұрын
I own a pair of the Polk Audio Signature 60 series tower speakers. They are 7 feet apart with a very slight toe-in, I sit roughly 7.5 feet away. Very happy with the way they sound. Good lows and although my 64 year old ears roll off at 16KHz, I'm happy with the highs as well.
@socksumi2 жыл бұрын
If you can hear up to 16k at age 64 then you are a fortunate anomaly. Most 64 year old males don't hear much past 10 or 11Khz and that includes me.
@MrCatalysis1014 жыл бұрын
A few years back, following your recommendations to use subs Paul, I bought two 12" subs by Polk on an incredible deal at Newegg, of all places. I've been totally satisfied with them and have never felt the need to upgrade from them to match my admittedly much more highly regarded other components. Probably the best $325, inc. delivery, I've ever spent.
@Wolfie663 жыл бұрын
I have a pair of Polk Audio bookshelf speakers that I bought 37 years ago while still in high school. They still sound amazing! Screw the so called "audiophiles"
@chriswells1564 жыл бұрын
Sandy Gross went on to found another relatively affordable speaker company, Definitive Technology. My PS Audio S300 amp powers my Def Tech 9060s, assisted by the built-in 300 watt power amps in the subwoofer base of each speaker. They sound great to my older ears and to everyone who hears them. No one has accused them of being audiophile speakers, but I notice that Sandy Gross’s current company’s Triton speakers, which do get high marks from the audiophile reviews, incorporate much of the Def Tech design concepts. I think Sandy is a speaker genius or at least employs folks who are. He tends to put his principal effort into the actual speaker performance and no more than necessary into the cabinetry.
@mpitogo4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Paul. I own the last three generations of flagship Polk, LSi25, LSiM 707 and Legend L800 and really enjoy them.
@stretchwith3 жыл бұрын
The headline caught my attention. Polk audio speakers are freaking amazing! Polk 10bs have unbelievable imaging and staging.
@AudiophileTubes2 жыл бұрын
Oh yes, absolutely! I own a pair of vintage Polk 10's, and they sound 'high end'.
@loveswidescreen4 жыл бұрын
Had a pair of Monitor 5 back in the day. Loved those speakers.
@jondoe66184 жыл бұрын
Never heard a BAD sounding polk speaker.I think they sound pretty good myself.
@nicholasbaker29043 жыл бұрын
I have a polk sound bar at home that I think is terrible. The LG one I had before it sounded way better and I paid $100 more for the polk. The subwoofer is practically non existent.
@jondoe66183 жыл бұрын
Nicholas Baker never heard any good soundbar. Would never waste money on those. No matter the brand.
@manFromPeterborough2 жыл бұрын
@@jondoe6618 Sound bars are ghetto quality
@manFromPeterborough2 жыл бұрын
The T15 are dull on treble and 130Hz bass honk
@infiniteblaz34162 жыл бұрын
@@nicholasbaker2904 No offense bud but I wouldn’t really judge their quality on a sound bar. Sound bars don’t measure up to separate components.
@michaeltamburello4 жыл бұрын
Nice rig! Love the Manfrotto tripod. I have the same model, heavy, but solid in every way!
@RJ_Chicago4 жыл бұрын
Polk makes THE go-to budget subwoofer.
@caliginousmoira85654 ай бұрын
psw 505.... 10 years running for me.
@AudioElectronicsChicago4 жыл бұрын
Polk is good if you don't want to break the bank and have more than a descent sound! I know they have few expensive models too!
@Turtleback80243 жыл бұрын
True.
@andt33164 жыл бұрын
I still listen to 20 years old Polk. Still producing good tunes. Very good price. I really really enjoy them.
@GretschenMunch4 жыл бұрын
Watching this clip and listening to you speak through my Polk SDA CRS+ speakers!
@95Sn954 жыл бұрын
I've loved my Polk stuff from my old Polk car db12 subwoofer to my Goodwill Polk monitor 5s which were mint practically like new for $25! What a find! I was blown away at the amount of bass from just that little woofer and passive radiator, that's some engineering for the day, I have a home theater setup but want to build a room in my basement and would love to piece together using vintage monitor series setup with a set of SDA1 for mains and many even build some nice subs using Polk MM series car audio drivers
@rccardbreaks28644 жыл бұрын
I own the lsim 707s and lsim 703s. They are amazing speakers. Always been a polk fan. They rival some of the best speakers out there!!!! They just need some good electronics driving them. I find this model to be considered high end. They have everything a high end speaker has, complex crossover system, furniture grade cabinets, and top of the line technology. Polk allows the consumer to choose how much they are willing to invest in great sound by offering various priced speakers.
@QoraxAudio4 жыл бұрын
Yup once you’ve hit a certain pricepoint, every extra dollar goes to exclusivity and visual design. Not electrical design. For example, compare the crossover in a $3,000 dollar speaker with a $30,000 counterpart. You’ll see no noteworthy difference.
@QoraxAudio4 жыл бұрын
@Fat Rat No one with a bit of education in electronics uses Duelund components 😆 The Rubycon, Panasonic, Nippon or Nichicon caps that are in every half decent speaker is as good as it gets. Instead of removing the iron core which may damage the coil and lowers the inductance, you might as well just shield it properly (if the lazy manufacturer didn't already do that).
@QoraxAudio4 жыл бұрын
@Fat Rat Replacing resistors doesn't make any sense.
@Hippiekinkster3 жыл бұрын
@@QoraxAudio I ran my RTA 12Cs with a Counterpoint SA 5.1 with Amperex 6DJ8s and dual mono GFA 555s. Front end was a Linn clone, VPI and Sumiko Talisman. I coupled the drivers and passive radiators to the box with Mortite and had 'em on TipToes. Kimber Cable and AQ interconnects. The preamp developed a low-level buzz that even Michael Eliott, the freaking DESIGNER, couldn't run down (well, he was busy building $25K amps for Japan, too, so...) Sold it to a cat in Chicago and miss it. Won't replace the Polks, but I'd like to build a pair of Linkwitz (R.I.P.) Orions and/or Nelson Pass Kleinhorns. Unfortunately, >65, wheelchair, Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1a.
@neilmadanayake5824 жыл бұрын
Got a pair of SDA 1c. Love them. Need to do some upgrading, but as it is it sounds pretty darn good.
@TEH47 Жыл бұрын
Hello Paul, Maybe you can help me out (or someone reading this) with this question, as I am researching marine speakers for my motorcycle. The question is, what is the difference between your MM1 and DB series. I what a 6.5 up front and the 5.25 at the rear. Thank you, Tim.
@giangvu79024 жыл бұрын
Polk make great speakers! Legend in my eyes.
@jazzyboy77843 жыл бұрын
Probably because they are mass produced and you can buy them at a big box store...
@stevescudder15074 жыл бұрын
I'm still using my old RT1000i tower speakers with built-in powered subwoofers. I can afford better now, but can't bring myself to part with these old friends.
@BrianRoediger3 жыл бұрын
And why would you? It's diminishing returns at a certain point. It was only after Polk sold to China that about 5 years later they took a nosedive sadly. Still good, but cheaply made overall vs the "good old days" of Baltimore manufacturing.
@summushieremiasclarkson47003 жыл бұрын
@@BrianRoediger they did? That's disappointing. Still love my s20, but made in the USA would have been nice, even if I'm not American.
@BrianRoediger3 жыл бұрын
@@summushieremiasclarkson4700 For sure! I always love a company to manufacture the goods it engineers in its own country. I like OnePlus (the phone company) because they're Chinese engineering and they're manufactured in China. Fine product. Polk Audio is an American company. It was nice when they were manufactured here too. Not to say the new stuff is garbage, but they're certainly less quality than before. When you're building something for someone else, you don't care as much as if you were building it for yourself.
@summushieremiasclarkson47003 жыл бұрын
@@BrianRoediger indeed sir. I would prefer, for instance, when purchasing a Toyota Camry, that it be manufactured in Japan. It's just common sense really, when it is manufactured in the home nation, it becomes a matter of national pride, any compromise in quality reflects poorly on the worker, the company and the nation. Every effort is then made to ensure the finest quality products leave the factory.
@charlesbandrofcheck44864 жыл бұрын
I have the RT 100 series for my home theater and separate stereo system. I feel they sound great. The only other speakers I've ever owned where circa '70 AR-14s.
@jeffcharlton96604 жыл бұрын
I've owned Paradigm, Def Tech, Klipsch, Boston, PSB, and others but I keep coming back to Polk Audio. I think my RTi-A1's sound great. Awesome performance for under $200/pr.
@gizmobowen4 жыл бұрын
As a photo guy, I'd love to see a video about your view camera setup. I'm assuming that besides having the high f/stop you're using it as a tilt/shift lens adjust the plane of focus to increase depth of field as well. If you're not lucky enough to have a fancy setup like yours, focus stacking also can be a useful way of getting a similar result.
@johnbrentford55134 жыл бұрын
I got some old Polk Monitor 12s I like them. I met Mathew Polk back in the mid 90s.
@Hippiekinkster3 жыл бұрын
I've got a pair of RTA 12Cs. They're happy with "Dark Side of the Moon" or Earl Klugh's "Late Night Guitar", and so am I.
@user-tj5sh1tp5y3 жыл бұрын
@@Hippiekinkster I own four RTi 12 and matching center channel and very happy
@MichaelLivingston-me4 жыл бұрын
I've bought several Polk Audio speakers over the years. I'm pleased with what they've done at their price points. I've recently purchased their Monitor 40 Series II bookshelf and their T50 tower speakers. I augment those with a Definitive Technology 10" subwoofer. I'm quite pleased with these choices, and I'm quite sure there are many examples of better speakers. I enjoy my music, nonetheless.
@budgetaudiophile60484 жыл бұрын
Their new reference line is amazing. I'm not the biggest fan of their subwoofers, but I'm not really a fan of anyone's subwoofers (save for maybe Seaton and JTR). That said, they make great stuff and phenomenal prices!
@AALavdas4 жыл бұрын
Carver did the same thing with Sonic Holography. I actually use it in in my small, PC-dedicated system I have on my desk, with small Mission speakers. The soundstage expansion is amazing! I would not use it for critical listening, and it only works well at certain distances and angles, but when I sit on my desk both me and the speakers are in fixed positions, so that's fine.
@mattgiunt4 жыл бұрын
I owned the Polk SDA CRS+ for thirty years and they were more then amazing. I just replaced them with the LSIM 707 and 706C and if setup properly they will astound you.
@honeyken3164 жыл бұрын
Hello Paul, Nice job on the camera. Nikon had a PC (perspective correcting) lens that was fabulous for those shots of objects where you could not get the image without making the film plane parallel to the object. The old building is falling away from you image. Great images can be had with your adapter I am sure. I used some of the book shelf Polks for organ speakers in home installations. They were quite efficient and did a good job producing the organ sounds.
@jamesplotkin46744 жыл бұрын
My stereo/surround consists of a pair of Polk RtiA9 with Advent center and Baby II surround. Coupled with a pair of BIC 12" subs, this system rocks movies and sounds so nice in stereo mode. The entire setup was under $2000, including the Onkyo TX-SR703 reciever. It sounds fine to me, that's all that matters.
@shawnwhalen83144 жыл бұрын
I have a couple sets of Polk SDA'S...I really like them...they are a great value also, You can get a very nice vintage speaker for a decent price. The Monitor 7 is also an honorable mention, also a fine speaker.
@jumanjii14 жыл бұрын
I love Polk speakers. I have their 11T speakers which I purchased way back in the day. They sound great and listen to them quite often. n fact, I've been looking for a set of Pièce de résistance SDS SRS speakers to complete my stereo setup. I love Polk speakers of way back when.
@hangtee4 жыл бұрын
Wow really cool camera set up! Always love the pictures produced by old Schneiders and Taylor-Hobsons!
@jonathanhotopf18234 жыл бұрын
Love the camera Paul, I’ve got a couple of 4x5s, I suspect quite a view of your viewers are into both hi fi and photography.
@ShaneNA014 жыл бұрын
Very happy with my HTS-10 sub. It sounds fantastic, its smooth and hard hitting, way to must for the unit that I am in
@lickalittle2 жыл бұрын
I liked my HTS10 so much I bought another one for the win on sale new not refurbished I'm also in a small space. Amazing sound 👌
@hi-fihaven22574 жыл бұрын
Great work on the camera Paul. Thanks for telling us about it's working. I have been a Polk fan for years.
@headunits4 жыл бұрын
The Polk lsim703's that I bought new for $450 are quite amazing. I'd say it was probably the best audio deal I've ever seen.
@jordantewari4 жыл бұрын
I love how right after he reads the question he starts talking about the cameras in the room. Lol.
@Turtleback80243 жыл бұрын
For over two minutes to add!😳.. and he took about 60 seconds to address the hate question. Classic case of click bait.
@batman.darthmaul2 жыл бұрын
I've had Polk Audio as my main speakers since roughly 1990. My first pair was the SRS SDA 2.3 model that was mentioned here. They fit in just fine playing the audio from my other gear, such as: Bang & Olufsen Beogram 8000, Nakamichi Dragon, Nakamichi RX-505, Luxman R-117, Clearaudio Concept turntable, Yamaha DSP-A1, Nakamichi 730 receiver, Sony DAT machine, and so on.....
@laynewallace22583 жыл бұрын
Got my Polk used ,god knows what it went through from the scuffs on it , and my friend totaled his car with them inside . Box smashes and splinters , Polk still fine
@paulmcwilliams86413 жыл бұрын
I use a variety of enlarger lenses using adapters I get made by a guy in Portugal and some bellows with my Pentax camera for indoor macro work. Its nice to see someone else getting creative too. Oh and I have some Polk RTI A3 speakers too.
@willburr59293 жыл бұрын
I have a timbre matched polk RTxxi 7.1 surround setup powered by a Yamaha RX-Z9. My front L and R are a pair of RT55i set to large. In the center is a 1000W Velodyne sub with a remote control. My sweet spot is about 15 feet away. Put on some Gavin Harrison and I can feel the bass really thumping. Then I switch the Velodyne sub on and off and - no discernable difference! All that bass is coming from the RT55i bookshelf speakers. Truly incredible.
@joeythedime18384 жыл бұрын
Up until very recently I ran a pair of LiSM 707's on my main system powered by a $17k T+A PA3000HV amp, the better electronics you throw at the 707's the better they perform - they hit way above their price points.
@kendoglarson54193 жыл бұрын
My Polk Rti12's are quite nice. Very impressive engineering. Great sound stage and imaging. Tremendous speaker value. Thank you, Polk, for making an affordable quality speaker.
@martinabernathy2054 жыл бұрын
I still have a pair of classic Polk Audio Monitor 10 speakers. Even at 30 years old, they are still some fine sounding speakers. I have replaced them but have never been able to make myself sell the Polks. I still go back and give them a listen from time to time.
@AudiophileTubes2 жыл бұрын
Me too! I bought mine in the mid 80's, and am still blown away at how detailed, timbrally accurate, and full bodied they sound! I've purchased many others over the years, including Magnepan, but I always go back to the Polk Monitor 10's, and they still put a smile on my now older, wrinkled face (i'm 60 and purchased them in my 20's)!
@reason24634 жыл бұрын
News to me! I have the entire RTiA line, including centers and surrounds, bookshelf speakers and 8 RTi A9s in various roles throughout the house. I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are the sound of music for me.
@reason2463 Жыл бұрын
@@HTadd1ct The A9s are all I need. They handle 500 watts silky smooth, reserve, just 300, legend just 100.
@sky1732 жыл бұрын
Glad I found this. I still have my RM6900 5.1 rocking my living room. After nearly 20 years, they still sound great for my needs.
@attackroflchopter44034 жыл бұрын
I have Polk/Denon setup in the house and a Vector Research VR5000 and some Bose 601 II's in the garage. Love them both. Of course id love to do some high end stuff one day. My Vector Research really is high end, its just very old.
@rlowle12284 жыл бұрын
So how come the lense is round but the picture is square?????
@JoshuaG Жыл бұрын
My dad still holds on to his Polk RTi A1's till today paired withthe PSW125 sub , sounded great btw ❤️❤️❤️ paired it with a Marantz SR5009 receiver
@jumpercable202 жыл бұрын
I have a pair of Polk SDA CRS speakers, I've seen some with only 1 tweeter, while mine has the two tweeters, (does anyone know if there's a name change?), mine are true oak, I bought them in 1984 or 1985, they still sound as good today was when I bought them over 35 years ago. Yes, I paid just a little over 1000.00 for mine which included the stands. I still love them today.
@tonymartin91183 жыл бұрын
I have 4 Polk Audio T15 in my surround system, 2 center, two rear surround and a pair of B&W DM6 monitor loudspeakers for stereo and mains. No sub woofer needed. Sounds awesome.
@scottharrison58222 жыл бұрын
I have had two sets of SDA speakers (the 2Bs and the CRS+), and they truly were amazing - as long as you sat equally between them. It took a long time for me to put the big ones away, but I finally graduated to something better. I think...
@jeffro7p202 Жыл бұрын
I have a pair of B&Ws but i still love my polk rt7s they are the only pair of older speakers i have that i refused to get rid of.
@MarkPalmer10002 жыл бұрын
I agree with this video. I’m not a “discerning audiophile” who spends tens of thousands of dollars on equipment. The audiophiles who knock Polk Audio don’t represent the vast majority of people who actually buy the largest volumes of audio equipment. Sure, they have had their lemons (as has everyone else), but in general Polk Audio speakers have been decent quality with decent sound for the working class who enjoy listening on equipment they can afford. No one can deny Polk speakers are engineered very well for their price point. In the past few decades where hundreds of names in true audiophile equipment have come and gone along with many who made inexpensive disco pumper garbage, Polk Audio has stuck around. Why? Because they make decent products folks can afford, they have remained a step above the bottom feeders, AND equally important they build products that can be sold at a profit for stores and the manufacturer in order to remain in business.
@MAELOB4 жыл бұрын
They still make some higher end speakers like the legend series
@jameskerr95094 жыл бұрын
Never knew that. I always regarded them as a very good product.
@Turtleback80243 жыл бұрын
They are. It’s just people spread hate on a product most never even heard play, let alone own.
@andrewdonohue18534 жыл бұрын
i just bought a set of polk T15 bookshelf speakers. for the $80 for the pair im very impressed. i bought a 5.1 surround sound klipsch set and one of the speakers went bad after cranking them a little. i bought the polk to replace the bad speaker. i want to buy another T15 set and a T30 speaker for a complete 5.1 setup with the larger speakers. im quite happy with them. satellite speakers are too limiting. bookshelf speakers with larger woofers are better.
@markwisner39724 жыл бұрын
I use to be an audio snob but then I got married. I had to get rid of my big old circa-1970 ARs for something that would better fit in our living room. Polk's are a good compromise, just like good marriages. I first got their entry level bookshelf speakers with a sub and center channel. They served their purpose. I eventually upgraded them to their mid-tier line and I am very pleased. Even my wife noticed how much better they sounded compared to the entry level ones. Most people who think of Polk think of the cheap entry stuff they sell at Best Buys. They sell more than that. I was able to get decent sound without pillaging my kids college account and my IRA. I love your videos. They show me much things have changed since I did PA for crappy bar bands and got my FCC first class.
@NickP3334 жыл бұрын
Paul, does your camera leave a huge puff of smoke after the flash goes off? I’ve got no problem with Polk Audio speakers, and owned a pair that I grabbed for like $20 at a yard sale many yrs ago when I was just getting into HiFi. They were just part of the journey that luckily never seems to end. Thanks, Paul! 🎶👍🔊🙂
@NickP3334 жыл бұрын
Fat Rat Ha! Good answer.
@finscreenname4 жыл бұрын
There it is in a nutshell, affordable. Audiophiles don't want what the masses can get even if it is good. How can they brag that they have a unobtanium speakers when everyone has them? There is nothing in a speaker system that can justify some of the costs that some of the high end people want. In a day and age that chips and caps cost pennies, the average speaker cost a couple bucks and the production of boxes can also be done for a couple bucks each, builders wanting thousands and thousands is nuts for the most of us and Polk knew it and filled the void.
@sailingaquarius234 жыл бұрын
You self expressed with such detail of truth.
@andershammer93074 жыл бұрын
I did hear some SDA Polk speakers that sounded pretty good.
@AndyEmerson8 Жыл бұрын
Loved the photography tangent and respect your answer to the question!
@OnEvenKeel4 жыл бұрын
Paul, first off, I didn't know people hate Polk. I'm surprised. But, then, I've sorta lost touch with high end audio. I've started watching your channel to re-kindle my interest and learn about the state-of-the-art. I heard my first Polk Audio speakers in the mid-1980s. I was about 20 years old, and I was house sitting for my boss at the time (who managed a camera shop! I was a medium format guy, myself - never got to play with the big view cameras. So sad!). I was blown away by, what to my perhaps inexperienced ears, was the fidelity of those Polk speakers. I always hoped I would own a set of my own someday. That, and a pair of Klipsch horns. I note, now, that Polk Audio's offerings bear little resemblance to what I recall from the 1980s.
@robertstolz26324 жыл бұрын
Polk has always made a good mix of speakers, budget minded and upwards to hi-end. It all boils down to what you are willing to spend. But with that said they have always made a decent speaker. I just recently put together a budget system with a Rotel RB990bx amp, topping D50s DAC, Definitive technology Pro sub 800 and the Polk S20 bookshelf speakers. This rocks, the s20's have good bass but I like a little thump now and then. The s20's were only $225 a pair on sale, they are impressive. The Polk Lsim 703s are next on the list.
@bertharius95183 жыл бұрын
I have just exchanged my recently purchased soundbar and subwoofer for a POLK soundbar and subwoofer. The previous equipment had a fault so the shop offered to let me exchange it for another brand at the same price point. I had never heard of Polk but decided to give it a go. Wow! I could immediately see and hear that this was of a superior quality. So I was a little surprised to come across this KZbin (clickbait??). Surely any comment on people 'hating' Polk is because insecure audionutters look at the price and declare them inferior. I would love to read BLIND tech reviews i.e. the reviewer just listens but does not know what equipment they are listening to.
@anthonyhfe64503 жыл бұрын
In the '80s I first became aware of Polk speakers, seeing the ads with Matthew Polk in the white lab coat, kinda resonated with the inner engineering geek in me. I don't know, he just seemed like a person who stood behind his speaker designs. Heck, if he didn't, he would not be in those ads. I have owned both home and car audio products from Polk. To name a few, RT55, RT35, RM101, Monitor Series 2 5JR, small passive PC speakers, and some 5.25 inch 2-way car speakers. I have my eyes on the LSi9 ones, the RTiA3 ones, and some others. The performance/quality you get at such a low price point is really hard to beat. I don't own any new ones to give my opinion on, but I'm sure the bang-for-the-buck is still there. Lastly, I enjoy your vids Paul. Fun, transparent, and informative.
@joelabbe6185 Жыл бұрын
Having been an ardent audiophile for these best 40 years (of my 51) ofmy life I've always done my best to "upgrade" with each new speaker or component purchase. My Snell Type KII's were replaced by a pair of Polk LSI9'S. Built my own stands and filled them with #9 lead birdshot. Those Polks amazed me for a solid 15 years paired with M&K v-125 subs, and later the addition of a Velodyne. Driven by SAE separate pre and power amps. This set-up is currently on stand-by and lately the Amp has been a Nakamichi AV1 receiver driving Bowers and Wilkins DM7 MkII and same subs. Point is, I'm not made of money and ecstatic with the performance of some 30 and 40 year old equipment in my listening room. Set-up IS critical but....I herein declare that the Polks, short of burning up will always remain in my listening room. They have more than once sent chills through me and at EVERY listening session put a grin on my face. 15 years is a long time to be satisfied, especially someone who once sold hi-fi gear for a living, and has auditioned equipment FAR beyond what my budget allows.
@JamesBondSPY007 Жыл бұрын
I just bought a receiver/speaker bundle(Denon/LSi9's for $125!) with the intent of giving the Denon to my parents and selling the Polks for a profit. While making the demo video I was blown away by the RICH/FULL sound coming out of the LSi9's. Only tested 3 songs and that's all it took to convince me that not only are these keepers, but in my list of BEST speakers I've ever heard! They sound high end, look high end, and sure weigh high end(33lbs!)! Truly amazing speakers!
@joelabbe6185 Жыл бұрын
@@JamesBondSPY007 great score!!!! Keep those LSi9's, or if you don't, at least make a good profit. At the price you paid, you can't go wrong!
@siriosstar47892 ай бұрын
The original SDAs were the GOAT of in home stereo sound stage. i had a friend back when i bought my SDAs in 1985 ,that was a certified audiophile snob . when i told him about the SDAs he laughed and i retorted with , " ok smart ass " come over tomorrow and have a listen . he brought his own music , put it in my cassette tape player ( that's all we had in those days 😂) became quiet as he listened and when the song ended he turned to me and said " shit man , you were right " .he said where did you buy them and drove there that weekend and bought the biggest ones they had .😎
@ragu1684 жыл бұрын
I agree they even still make a great speaker! Oh nice camera 👍👌
@georgeshaffer46864 жыл бұрын
I love my 5s and my 10s. I must say what they sell now at the box store sound nothing like what I have.
@hicknopunk4 жыл бұрын
Polk Monitor 5s are great bookshelf speakers. I have loved all my Polk stuff. Great cost!!!
@TheBoomerPlace4 жыл бұрын
I had a pair of Polk Audio R50 speakers 🔊 from Craigslist for 50 bucks. Needed a new tweeter so I replace both and thought they sounded just fine. Replaced them with Cambridge Soundworks Tower speaker for 120 a pair. My son has the Polk Audios along with a turntable and receiver I gave him. And they still sound great.
@Lowtech514 жыл бұрын
My first "real" speakers were Polk Monitor 10s. I chose them over some Missions (cannot remember the model). I used and loved them for a long time. Think I gave them away. Later, I had some towers (again I cannot remember the model). They were sweet until we had a break-in and they were stolen.
@stonefree19114 жыл бұрын
Yep Polk 10 monitors were amazing. Got mine in 1980 and they beat anything under 3x their cost. Any Polk speaker I bought after that however, have been very disappointing.
@Lowtech514 жыл бұрын
@@stonefree1911 I think I bought my 10s about 1981 or 2. I'm guessing someone, somewhere is still enjoying them.
@jesusgavemeaids4 жыл бұрын
I need to try some of those. I can't afford "high end" speakers & using some Advent legacy right now. They're not bad, but definitely not great either. The Polk monitor 10s seem like a much better match for my Marantz 2220B as well...the Advents require a lot more than 20wpc.
@IndyShrew4 жыл бұрын
Ditto, my first speaker purchase were the Polk 10 monitors, matched with an Acoustat 120 twin amp and a NYAL Moscode pre-amp. I still have the amp & pre-amp but do regret not keeping the Polks.... bought them around 1986
@jesusgavemeaids4 жыл бұрын
I've been reading & watching videos to decide if I'd like to try finding a pair, but I have a question... HiFi R makes no mention of these having passive radiators, but one video I watched shows passive radiators in them. So do they??? It also says they go down to 25Hz...is that correct as well??? That seems pretty good & I wouldn't need a subwoofer. Just trying to get a better understanding of these. I'm thinking about trying to find a good pair.
@TMC18772 жыл бұрын
I came here for Polk and was greeted by someone who uses almost a identical camera rig that I made as well, Sony A7, modified macro bellows, and a old view camera lens. I thought that was pretty cool lol
@shumba_the_don4 жыл бұрын
hi Paul love your videos and your spirit... much love from switzerland
@Lowtech514 жыл бұрын
I love "ask Paul" and I love CH. We visit there at least once per year.
@evcass69 Жыл бұрын
I bought my first Polks, sda-1cs, sophmore year in college '90. Pretty big for the dorm room, and under powered by cheap Paradyne amp. Once I got the Carver TFM42, everyone on the floor heard about it. Still have them, upgraded mids, added cs400i, fxi4 surrounds, and rtia1 back surround. Gets me by *shrug*
@matthewguthrie76754 жыл бұрын
Tell us more about your photo rig. Super cool!
@Turtleback80243 жыл бұрын
On another video, aimed at talking about cameras! Of which he’d probably spend 90% talking about something else anyway.
@shaunrichards7443 жыл бұрын
Bought my first polk speakers back in 1989 8T Towers decent sound for a basic cabinet design, really thought that was their best soft dome tweeter to date. Not a big fan of the tweeter in the ATI series can get a bit harsher in the high frequencies but its only a minor kibble.
@sundaru14 жыл бұрын
I use polk audio sda 2 signature series with caver pm 900 never disappointed with this classic speaker
@arcorob2 жыл бұрын
Thank you !!!! I have a pair of Polk Monitor 70's (original) that I bought as New Old Stock 10 years ago. They are amazing. I am not saying that because I own them. I say that because the detail, the soundstage, the beautiful mids and non-fatiguing highs. If they lack anything it may be the smallest % light in bass but my Polk sub takes care of that. I drive them with a modern era marantz as a pre-amp, a Velleman tube am that I completely revamped with 6L6GC output GE tubes from 1961 (8) and the most stunning sylvania 12Ax7 input tubes (yes, I have rolled a dozen brands) The polks are perfect. I have tried Klipsh, Pioneer and others (in my price range) and they cant come close to the Polks. So bottom line, thanks for giving them respect
@summushieremiasclarkson47004 жыл бұрын
Exceedingly happy with my pair of Polk s20s.
@randomtube82264 жыл бұрын
Speaking of Polk Audio. The Ati A9s are on sale at crutchfeild.com Anyone own a pair? Are they any good?
@Turtleback80243 жыл бұрын
I’ve heard some good things about them.
@danielwilliamson77393 жыл бұрын
I own a pair of S8's and they sound phenomenal. I absolutely love them
@robertocalderonabogado14273 жыл бұрын
Polk Audio is a very good brand. The RTI and LSI series perform really good. By the way please make a video on your camera and lighting gear.
@dennisparker37863 жыл бұрын
About a year ago I bought a pair of polk RTI - ,A-3 book shelf speakers . These speakers are amazing great sound stage no more sub needed and if you close your eyes they disaper. 240.00 a pair
@azmike19564 жыл бұрын
I'm just fine with my Polk center channel & surrounds. I've also used Polk ideas as Paul described by out of phase signal between speakers. Dramatically widens the sound stage.
@Turtleback80243 жыл бұрын
How do you go about to set them like that?
@eliglbe3 жыл бұрын
Obsured,I've owned and sold high end speakers for over 20 years and my recent purchase Polk RTI a9,have to be 1 of the best sounding speakers I've heard in ages
@yechanmoon468 Жыл бұрын
Insanely cool camera rig!
@stephenfrancisvoros3822 жыл бұрын
In my 7.4.4 sound system Paul, I employ as my front tower's, a pair of Polk Signature Series s60's, for me these being USA speaker's made in China, are the equivalent to my Accusound Australian speaker's made in China too, that make up the rest of my system, simply a lot of bang for the low budget bucks, I'm very happy with it all and enjoy daily.
@JENSEN101103 жыл бұрын
Own some Polk RTA 15TLs from late 80's-early 90's and they sound amazing. Couldn't hate on them even if I tried.
@user-pc8tb7hg1lHandlesRDumb Жыл бұрын
Cool camera, f64 and you made it!
@amazingsnow4 жыл бұрын
Where does this question come from? Everyone that's owns Polk that I know is happy. I have the Lsim 705 the 706 and the 703 surrounds all powered by dare I say a receiver . Pioneer elite . I would be happy to blind test anyone with my system and confident they would be impressed with good quality sound. Clean and clear at every listening level . I invested about $6000 in everything ,do I need to spend $6000 just on cables to be called and audiophile? The laws of physics can not be broken ,math does not lie and The emperor has no clothing on !