Polk Signature Series Official Discussion

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Comments

  • D2Lo
    D2Lo Posts: 352
    Skip, will you be in tomorrow? I'm in a meeting from 9 until about 11 but free to say hi after.
  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,760
    edited September 2016
    Congrats on the new series. I am thrilled to see that Polk has finally gotten serious about marketing.

    Love the "American HiFi" slogan.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    DSkip wrote: »
    Russman has ears I trust as well. Between his approval of this series and what I heard with the T-50, it looks like Polk has the right engineers on the job to pull Polk back into the limelight. I'm excited to be a dealer for them and hope this is a line I can really sell.
    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    dromunds wrote: »
    I bet these babies punch way above their price point.

    Russman stated "I wouldn't consider these entry level speakers"...."They perform way above the price"...."prefer the sound over the RtiA"

    For those who do not know who Russman is, he used to work the major shows for Polk

    Russman = good enough opinion for me. I'll buy them without a demo. They are certainly priced right and should be an upgrade to some LS-50's I have in a game room system (not my HT, that's for big boy speakers).
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,307
    Wow, I have to say, I really like the new look. More curious to hear how they sound now after reading of Russman's impression.

    The design looks very clean and modern to me. I like the rounded edges on the chunky rectangular design. Love the new drivers and black bezel. Pleasing. Sturdy. Tasteful. Not cheesy or gimmicky. I like this much better than previous designs.

    Really looking forward to hearing the sound quality reviews.
    I disabled signatures.
  • D2Lo
    D2Lo Posts: 352
    Congrats on the new series. I am thrilled to see that Polk has finally gotten serious about marketing.

    Love the "American HiFi" slogan.

    Glad you are digging the American HiFi. I just got off the stage for the press conference explaining where that came from. I'll post my presentation from the press conference later tonight. Check out these coasters we are using at the event. For those of you that come by ill have some set aside for you if you want them.

    hm97ddef64ac.jpeg
  • "For those of you that come by ill" :o
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,032
    I'll pass on these. I do not like the way they look. I was expecting different especially with the Signature thing happening here. I expected a new reference level Signature model. These just fall in line between the lower end stuff.
    I'm sure they are nice and probably sound good especially for the asking prices but not where I would like them to be.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,124
    Budget, Signature, Reference, Luxury
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    D2Lo wrote: »
    Congrats on the new series. I am thrilled to see that Polk has finally gotten serious about marketing.

    Love the "American HiFi" slogan.

    Glad you are digging the American HiFi. I just got off the stage for the press conference explaining where that came from. I'll post my presentation from the press conference later tonight. Check out these coasters we are using at the event. For those of you that come by ill have some set aside for you if you want them.

    hm97ddef64ac.jpeg

    I need a set of those coasters. I'll buy them if possible.

    The skinny center is very interesting. I wonder if it's more of a great center for a living room system with no expectations, or if it could hold its own in a semi- serious home theater rig...
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    Yeah I would purchase a set of coasters hook us up Skip! I suppose Best Buy might stock them around here if so I will have to check them out. I'm sure they will trump the T series, can't see them besting the RTIA series though.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,346
    Amazon has pre-order dates listed now. S35 Center appears to be available on September 19 along with the S55 floorstanders. The remainder have a release date on Amazon of November 1:

    https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Signature-S35-American/dp/B01LW8H3NX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473982105&sr=8-1&keywords=polk+signature

    I may buy an S35 just because I'm not aware of another center speaker quite like it.
  • Strong Bad
    Strong Bad Posts: 4,276
    Some initial thoughts from me on the new line.

    They look real sharp! I like! Looking forward to hearing a demo. (Hint hint, i'm in Baltimore)

    Some things I'd like to see based on what I currently have (RT800 mains, CS400 center, FX500 surrounds and RT35 rear centers...my sub is an SVS PC-Ultra).

    Would like to see a larger center with dual 6 1/2" drivers and the tweeter. The fullness of my CS400 is tough to match. How about a set of Bipole/Dipole surrounds?

    Nice job on these Polk!
    No excuses!
  • I think they look alright. Much better than the monitor, tsi, and Tsx. I may have to get a pair to try in the family room.
    Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant
  • wallstreet
    wallstreet Posts: 1,405
    I can't imagine Polk building the bi/di pole switchable speakers like they used to given the direction of the industry to object based surround formats.
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,116
    DSkip wrote: »
    I'll post up a review soon. Heading home from the press conference and leaving with some solid thoughts on these, as well as the magnifi mini and the overall vibe of Polk as a company.

    Looking forward to it.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    They look nice. The slim centers seem to be a good idea, as people have become accustomed to sound bars. The centers most of us here use can be very hard to place for a lot of folks. I don't even have to listen to them to know that they'll sound great to 90% of the population.
  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,505
    Joey_V wrote: »
    Something about the base looks a little discongruent with the rest of the tower design.



    In laymen's terms, is discongruent the same as discombobulated?
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    Joey_V wrote: »
    Something about the base looks a little discongruent with the rest of the tower design.



    In laymen's terms, is discongruent the same as discombobulated?

    not in my dictionary
    ^^^ opposite of congruent :#

    Incongruent discongruent malcongruent uncongruent... Bah... I make up words now. Lol....
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,330
    D2Lo wrote: »
    ... Check out these coasters we are using at the event. For those of you that come by ill have some set aside for you if you want them.

    hm97ddef64ac.jpeg

    Great idea, 'cause when you are entertaining someone is always bound to what to sit a drink on top of the towers.

    I'd like to get a few of those. Any thoughts on making some Polk logo merchandise available for purchase (ie shirts, jackets, hats, coasters)? Or even upgrade accessories like spikes, jumpers, cables)?
    Stan
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
    Good thing the tops of my towers have glass! I want some of those coasters. They would suit my basement them... Speakers!
    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

  • aprazer402
    aprazer402 Posts: 3,087
    edited September 2016
    I like them. Salute to the Polk Audio research, design, production and marketing teams. I'll have to mosey on down the street to Nebraska Furniture Mart and check them out.
  • jawhog
    jawhog Posts: 444
    I've been shopping for something new but will now wait to see and hear these. Didn't catch the news on these until today. The only new Polk product I've purchased in the last 5 years or more are some blackstone tl3's which I like a lot. This new line definitely has me excited to check them out. The creative and accommodating outer dimensions and the overall look seem to have real potential to be a winner.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    edited September 2016
    how about this;
    Real American HiFi without having to ReFi.
  • I would think the term "Signature" with any brand would rate that said series as the company's absolute Best??? While I think they look okay, I am definitely not thinking I would purchase this line. It looks more like the affordable speakers for the college kids, and still okay to me. Was kinda hoping for something even higher end then the Lsim line?????????
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    Are there going to be Atmos speakers in this line at some point? I'm not a big surround sound guy myself but many people are into it more than stereo reproduction.

    Someone asked if these are comparable to the UniFi series & I would say no just based on the price. The UB5 is $499 & the Polk 6 1/2" Signature Series bookies are about 1/2 that. Plus, the Polk bookies have a rated frequency response down to 40 Hz but the UB5 lack the ability to produce any serious levels of bass response. The fit and finish on these Signature Series speakers looks great whereas the ELAC speakers are wrapped in the cheapest and most easily damageable brushed vinyl. Without hearing them side by side, I can say that the ELAC speakers are remarkable in their reproduction of mids and highs.

    I look forward to this new series from Polk Audio & it sounds like they're moving in the right direction. That's good because, to me, the RTi6 was a big let down in my bedroom set up.
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
  • ^^^^ how about an optional planter?
  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,101
    It's too bad a bipole/dipole surround won't be offered. I understand it's not a good seller, but the tapered sides make it one of the only shapes that would work for me in a narrow room with low ceilings. I currently have Boston Acoustics in my HT and their bipole/dipole surrounds are shaped perfectly - I'll say a little less than semi-circular. Makes bumping your head on them much less frequent, and if by chance you do, it's not a sharp edge!

    I do like the looks of these. Yes, they're not for everyone, but neither is the LSiM series, or the SDAs... I agree with Skip that these will appeal to a much larger market, and from the sounds of things (pun intended) can get you into some NICE sounding HT speakers without breaking the bank.

    When's the next F&F sale? ;) I'd be a definite buyer of a 7 channel setup!!

    Nice work D2LO and Polk!
  • D2Lo
    D2Lo Posts: 352
    edited September 2016
    Thanks fellas, glad some of you are into it.... Skip, I'm sorry I got the time wrong on the press conference. That is why I'm the design guy :-) Not so good with the life details sometimes, good thing the team here keeps me at the right place in the right time.

    I thought I'd share my deck that explains the design inspiration for those of you that couldn't make it.

    g9xabez052fd.jpg
    12wzbbdplewq.jpg


    The three main things we were focused on when we designed these were:

    1) our heritage
    2) musical instruments
    3) mid-century American furniture design

    o1pdreko1h07.jpg

    One of the first places I dug into were our archives, not just of products, but also our old print ads. The ad for the RTA12B stuck out for me. "Looks like a $1500 speaker, sounds like a $1500 speakers, costs $500". Matthew was always about "Incredible sound at an affordable price". I'm proud to say with this series we were able to take our signature patented technologies down to price points where they've never been before, while improving them. By moving the power port to the bottom like LSiM we get better performance and easier placement. We also wanted to nod to the signature sound that Matt wanted, mid forward. His goal wast to bring a concert into your home, and that unique sound is American HiFi to us.

    9zxoe57ri6rp.jpg
  • D2Lo
    D2Lo Posts: 352
    r9mehiy7rfxo.jpg

    On that live performance inspired sound, we started looking at a lot of guitars. The way the grain wraps around the body of the guitar is what inspired the large rounded corners and the way the grain seamlessly flows around the Signature series. The grace of the guitar has a gloss pick guard which inspired the high gloss trim panel that surrounds the drivers. The exposed fasteners are inspired by the tuning hardware on the neck, and the trim panel has subtle grooves that evoke a fret board. We wanted this to be an instrument.

    hgh0rg6bdht8.jpg
  • D2Lo
    D2Lo Posts: 352
    alqzqrvmuaf4.jpg

    Lastly, it has to fit in with your home. In the spirit of American HiFi, we started researching American furniture design from the mid-century modern movement. One piece that stood out was of course the iconic Eames sound chair. It is timelessly modern while still feeling highly crafted. In digging through archival images of that chair I found this image of Frank Sinatra relaxing in his Palm Springs home in the chair.

    h30z4bqs2gil.jpg


    That kind of timeless American modern feeling is what we were going for with this design. Polk's are in roughly 10% of all American homes and we are proud of the fact that we bring music and movies to life for so many people.arh3sah93yza.jpg
    0643mi80v56a.jpg
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    9z54zl4ftw8j.jpg