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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!j

ehansigno
rlj
61 posts
 

HiFiShark is a great resource for shopping for used equipment.     Personally in my opinion,  I think you'd be better off with buying used speakers and new electronics. Do you listen to records?   If not the BlueSound POWERNODE is an excellent choice for an amplifier.  Its a small box that has HDMI input for your TV's HT.  Its a streamer/amplifier with interface that you install on a tablet.    I'm guessing your wife would approve of its form factor.

Do you have pets?   My significant other has cats   I bought her used Canton speakers that have a metal grills and the POWERNODE.  Those speakers are pet proof.   

 

However these speakers would not be your best choice for HT.

 

 

 

8th-note
412 posts
 

The Polk S50 are popular speakers and have been reviewed at least a couple of times. Google "Polk S50 Review" and you will see at least two reviews. Both of these reviews are very detailed and positive. I would suggest that you place much more weight on these reviews than on the comments on this forum. There is an element of snobbery here where people who have never heard these speakers will trash them simply because they are a widely available mid priced brand.that doesn't cater to audiophile geeks.

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

If you're seriously considering Polk, you need to step up to the Reserve series, which I see are also available in white.  They have been receiving excellent reviews.

jl35
4,021 posts
 

since it seems to matter, the Polk T50 was included by R. Greene in the current TAS Best of 2022...

sgreg1
612 posts
 

@8th-note 

 

first thing to get right is “audiophile geeks” don’t mix HT with two channel. OP has not stated his level of two channel. No the obvious Polk like most speaker companies make different levels for speaker lines. I will 100% take a personal experience review here over a mag review that accepts advertising from a company. 

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