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Polk Audio

I picked up a pair of Polk Audio RTi -A1 compact speakers recently and was surprised at how big they were on scale and bass. The guy I bought them from had been using them as surrounds in his AV system and when I said they were going to be used in a stereo set up, he seemed puzzled that I would want to use them that way.

Anyway, I'm hugely impressed by how the Polks handle rock music especially - they're hooked up to a Krell KST-100 power amp. They've got a lot of weight in delivery, apart from the bass and scale. I've gotten similar results from small speakers in my room, but they've been much more expensive ....

However, what puzzles me is the negative vibe people seem to have about Polk. "Oh, they used to be good once upon a time but are crap now," is what someone in the distribution industry remarked.

This is the first time I'm listening to Polk speakers. I don't see any justification for his remark.

Anyone else here has a good experience with Polk's current range? Seems great value to me ...
bassraptor
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"Polk got to big for the hi-end audio community and they fell out of favor. God forbid we find a quality product at a big box retailer."

What about Marantz, Audioquest, Vienna, Martin Logan and B & W? They sell all those brands in Best Buy along with Polk.
bojack
652 posts
 
I've never heard a bad-sounding Polk, though I have only heard 4 models. I listened to a helluva lot of Grateful Dead and Miles back in college on my friend's Polks (5A Juniors or something like that), and though not as transparent as my Fried Q5s, they sounded damn fine.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
@ Zd542, wow!, where is the best buy you are talking about?, the best buy here in mobile, alabama has nothing like marantz,audioquest,vienna, martin logan, and B&W ! you are kidding right?,, I have heard some very enjoyable polk speakers my self, I own 1 center channel polk audio speaker now, Its not on my high-end system, neetherless, a enjoyable speaker to listen to, Do you guys remember the Polk audio statement speakers back in the 1980s?, I do, and those damn speakers were awsome!, they were huge muti driver speakers with ribbons I believe?,, cheers!
quad-man's avatar
quad-man
131 posts
 
low priced Chinese goods are not for everybody.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Brands/MartinLogan/pcmcat299000050002.c?id=pcmcat299000050002&pageType=REDIRECT&issolr=1&searchterm=martin%20logan

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-2849465170762011937&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=bowers+and+wilkins&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&fs=saas&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&saas=saas

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-2849465170762011937&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=marantz&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&fs=saas&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&saas=saas

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-2849465170762011937&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=audioquest&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&fs=saas&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&saas=saas

Here's a few links. I couldn't find one for Vienna. They may not sell them anymore. Also, not all Best Buys have exactly the same inventory but I always see a decent selection of the brands I list in my local stores.
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