Speaker Questions


Hello. I am looking to get some new speakers but I am on a relatively tight budget. WAF is important for me in the buying decision.

I have found a pair of Polk Audio S50 towers for $200 each and that seems like a good deal, but I don't really see any Polk Audio on the recommended lists. Not even in the WAF section. I would prefer a Tower speaker, but I suppose I could go with some good bookshelves on stands.

Here's what I'm considering;Polk S50 Towers (White)Polk S30 Center (White)Polk ES15 Rear's (White)Polk RC60i In Ceiling speakers (for atmos)

All in, I can get this for about $880. It SEEMS like a good set, though I have nowhere to listen to it locally. I really like the aesthetic and haven't had any arguments from the SO yet.

That all being said, the fact that these don't come "recommended" in any of the buying guides has me worried that I am doing myself a disservice by not looking at other speakers.

I don't see ANY white towers anywhere near that range, but there are some bookshelf ones. More specifically, I could get the KEF Q150's for L & R at $300/pair, but then I don't know where I would be able to go from here for center, surround, and atmos speakers. Would the KEF Bookshelf be better than the polk tower? I'm in need of some guidance here.

Thanks!

okalautar

@okalautar - The big question is what your goals are for listening. If you’re interested in stereo listening I’d skip a center channel and consider going with very inexpensive rear speakers and possibly a decent subwoofer.

What is the rest of your gear?

I've never heard a single piece of PS Audio gear, but you might consider a PS Audio Sprout100+ Elac speakers that they sell for $1099.  I would expect it to be a pretty decent stereo setup with a high WAF.

JBL Stage A190 $600 / pair; JBL Stage A180 $480 / pair; or

JBL Stage A170 $360 / pair (recommended by Stereophile) @ Crutchfield

Monitor Audio makes some great speakers, I’ve got a set of bookshelves in both their gold and silver series.

Some really like Klipsch speakers, horns are a different sound, too.

Your best values would be in the used market, on here and U.S. Audio Mart are typically safe bets.

For the price range you are in the Polk's will do you justice. They punch above their weight class. Get them, be happy with them for a couple of years and save your money then upgrade.

You won't be unhappy with Polk ... GR-Research has inexpensive upgrades for Polk:  https://gr-research.com/

You might check out Fluance, small canadian group.  

https://www.fluance.com/reference-three-way-floorstanding-loudspeakers

Let us know ...