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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
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.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
@ Zd542,, I am shocked!, even thou the models they have on their site is junk audio to me, just having the B&W and martin logan speakers has best buy heading in the right direction!, It has been about a year since I have been by that big box store!, for a hi-fi, none high-end system, It seems thats the place to go!,, cheers!
willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 
06-16-13: Audiolabyrinth
"@ Zd542,, I am shocked!, even thou the models they have on their site is junk audio to me, just having the B&W and martin logan speakers has best buy heading in the right direction!, It has been about a year since I have been by that big box store!, for a hi-fi, none high-end system, It seems thats the place to go!,, cheers!"

If you did not notice, all the links show items that are available only at Best Buys with Magnolia rooms. If your local BB doesn't have a Magnolia section, I doubt very seriously it will carry these items.

Bill
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