A project for 2018: Compendium of Polk Audio ads, etc.

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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,420
    The ad is comparing a $7000 pair of electrostatics to their monitor series. I'm sure their attorneys advised them to avoid future comparisons in future ads...
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)


    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,124
    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
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    Yes, it was just a comparison of the Polk line of the late 1970s with a couple of pretty serious high end loudspeakers of the day.
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    My bad... one can only dream of what could have been.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • We used to sell the Beveridge speakers, they were intended to be placed on the two side walls in front of the listener area. This was due to the dispersion pattern the curved wooden lens created inside the cabinet. This meant that the room had to be just the right set of dimensions to allow best positioning. They also had self contained tube amplifiers, which meant the amp's output transformer would be able to match the output stage impedance with the step up transformer needed for the electrostatic element. This eliminated one complete transformer in the audio chain. Brilliant speaker designer old Harold was, that's for sure.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited January 2018
    As far as Polk using electrostatic components, I know that during Engineering Week at Polk they had an electrostatic component company come and do a presentation. So, they are aware of what different technologies can do. If I were making a prediction I would place more of a chance on ribbon technology rather than electrostatic. Much easier implementation, no high voltage power supply to deal with.
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,124
    edited January 2018
    Thanks Ken, for the Fun Facts Friday Feedback... :)
    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
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    Polk shoulda looked at plasma drivers ;)

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    vuwc6ic7wlwx.png

    March 1980

    (the year I graduated from college :p )
  • From what I gathered from talking with Matt, Sandy was the dedicated audiophile of the threesome, always showing up with new tonearms, cutting edge speakers and a great appreciation of the best in sound. He would ask Matt if there was some way to build something better for less money. Matt was the engineer and could put ideas on paper. George was the money guy plus he loved woodworking and seeing things get built. Good combination, very similar to the early British aircraft companies.
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    From what I gathered from talking with Matt, Sandy was the dedicated audiophile of the threesome, always showing up with new tonearms, cutting edge speakers and a great appreciation of the best in sound. He would ask Matt if there was some way to build something better for less money. Matt was the engineer and could put ideas on paper. George was the money guy plus he loved woodworking and seeing things get built. Good combination, very similar to the early British aircraft companies.

    Great biographical/historical information; thank you for sharing it, Ken!
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    Ahh, the LF14! :)
    August 1980 -- just before I matriculated into grad school.

    fyvm8l7wi90p.png

    I bought one of these from Soundscape (s/n 1023); probably the first or second one they sold, and thus probably one of the very first sold.

    Kept it for years and years, ultimately passing it along to the forum's own Dorokusai whose intent it was to pass it back to Polk's HQ.

    10730024924_0f9548f89d_b.jpgDSC_1151 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

    10730225563_e71aff4c90_b.jpgDSC_1159 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr



  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    October 1980 - a slice of urban life, avec Polk 10 :)

    n6cp4itvibof.png
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    edited January 2018
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    Ad
    Nd yet not one of the man himself and his pocket protector equipped lab coat.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    And yet not one of the man himself and his pocket protector equipped lab coat.

    Yet... Patience, young Padawan.
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    edited January 2018
    Ad
    Nd yet not one of the man himself and his pocket protector equipped lab coat.
    FestYboy wrote: »
    And yet not one of the man himself and his pocket protector equipped lab coat.

    Yet... Patience, young Padawan.

    Yup, we're only to 1981!
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    June 1981 -- Polk seems to have asymptotically approached a slogan that befits their niche :)

    m9r9qi0nnbrj.png
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    edited January 2018
    August 1981 -- Polk bought into the Man of La Mancha ethos? ;)
    To dream... the affordable dream...

    7lni2g50gnqd.png

  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,559
    Interesting design with the tweeter up top and separated from the rest of the cabinet like that.
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Interesting design with the tweeter up top and separated from the rest of the cabinet like that.

    You new here? ;)
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,559
    Joined: August 2012
    FestYboy wrote: »
    You new here? ;)

  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Twas sarcastic... Anywho, if they had left the tweet IN the enclosure, it would likely be at least semi-horn loaded to maintain the time alignment. Nearly all face mounted speakers are out of alignment due to the coils not sitting along the same plane.
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Ad
    Nd yet not one of the man himself and his pocket protector equipped lab coat.

    Here you go:
    djmopu1i8qlq.jpg
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Maybe Matthew's extended family?
    q2fm2tj7f5ls.jpg
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Sister?
    dlldim6k1tbv.jpg
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    Hey, it's like the Wizard of Oz -- we're still in the black and white part, here!

    ;)
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Hey, it's like the Wizard of Oz -- we're still in the black and white part, here!

    ;)

    Sorry @mhardy6647 couldn't resist :) I beg for forgiveness ...
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,559
    Damn. I want to get my ears on a set of vintage Polks, but I don't think there's any Polkies in the SF bay area besides me and "Mr. Pass Labs" @BlueFox
    FestYboy wrote: »
    Twas sarcastic... Anywho, if they had left the tweet IN the enclosure, it would likely be at least semi-horn loaded to maintain the time alignment. Nearly all face mounted speakers are out of alignment due to the coils not sitting along the same plane.

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Damn. I want to get my ears on a set of vintage Polks, but I don't think there's any Polkies in the SF bay area besides me and "Mr. Pass Labs" @BlueFox
    FestYboy wrote: »
    Twas sarcastic... Anywho, if they had left the tweet IN the enclosure, it would likely be at least semi-horn loaded to maintain the time alignment. Nearly all face mounted speakers are out of alignment due to the coils not sitting along the same plane.

    Oh, I'll bet there are...