Regarding the use of AV receiver, just because a company comes up with a novel technological idea does not mean they know how, or care, to set up a HiFi. Mid-Fi is about as far as it gets for some companies. My guess is they don’t care terribly much about the Audiophile market, or else they would make a better effort. They likely are going for mass appeal with tech bling, selling the whiz-bang. It’s worked thousands of times before with other companies, tried and true method...
I’m not condemning the speaker, as I have not heard it. I would say the same of any company that felt an AV receiver was sufficient for a Hifi show. There is an exception; occasionally a lower end piece will be used despite the handicap to the system, in an obtuse effort to show how good the product is. But, that’s a lot different than a dull viewpoint of what constitutes satisfactory sound for the audiophile. :)
As a reviewer I would have some serious reservations with a design that required noise cancellation from the opposite speaker! What am I referring to? The website states, "Each Legend L800 model (LC and RC) comes with one 12’ interconnect cable. This cable is used to connect the two speakers to each other, so that both SDA transducers can cancel out unwanted signals from the opposite speaker. " So, basically, each speaker directs toward the other’s wavelaunch, thus making a MESS. In order to get it to sound right, imo, they needed to use noise cancelling technology to clean it up. Not a very auspicious introduction, imo.
I remember hearing the big B&O Speaker that had drivers all over and was supposed to create a wonderful sonic field. I did not find that impressive, so I suspect that this Polk speaker splaying the signal all over might not be so impressive to me.
Based on that I would approach this speaker with a healthy dose of skepticism, I think well warranted. But, as I have not heard them, I reserve judgment until such time as I demo them. I have been surprised before, and likely will be again in the future. If I were to use them, could I be proven wrong? Sure. Could I end up being mightily impressed? Maybe. With a new technology unheard one is guessing at the result until heard. :)
Am I hating on Polk? No, just using my powers of observation to assess from afar. I hasten to add that my assessment could be far off. I was told by some very knowledgeable, well-known authorities in the industry that my Schroeder Method of IC Placement was problematic, etc. Shows how wrong authorities can be when they pronounce something they haven't used. So, I try not to be dogmatic on products unheard. :)
