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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
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
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"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."

Don't all Best Buys have Magnolia? I don't think I've ever been a BB that didn't have one.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Audiolabyrinth,

I here BB is working on a deal to get TARS labs.
theduke
372 posts
 
The LSiM, LSi, RTi series are first-rate loudspeakers.
mcondon
235 posts
 
Before I bought my current speakers (Sehring S703s), I owned a pair of Polk LSi9's. I thought the Polks were thoroughly mediocre. They replaced a pair of Infinity bookshelf speakers I bought in the early 1990s for $300. The Infinity speakers were significantly better than the Polks in all respects and the Sehrings blow them away. I tried to sell the LSi9's, but got no offers, so ended up giving them away.
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