Best Of
Re: Power to drive R700
Thank you to all the great posts. I ended up buying the R700 and I'm using them in a 2 way setup, plus I have two 8.5" two-way speakers in the ceiling when desired. I am 100% blown away with how great these sound. Honestly, I never expected them to exceed my expectations like this. I also bought the Emotiva XPA2 Gen 3 because it ended up costing about $500 in the end and I thought "what do I have to lose". Here are a few of my thoughts after installing and listening for a few days, hopefully to help others:
1. I was worried from various posts about brightness of the Emotiva amp, too neutral for the speakers and without warmth, etc... But the sound to me is not clinical, bright, or cold - it is room-filling, clear, full, and warm. I have a large room with 11 foot ceilings and glass all along one side wall. For anyone worried about the same issue, it ended up not being an issue AT ALL for me!
2. I was worried I would miss my subwoofer. Previous house had 1000 watt HSU sub that was extremely powerful - a really great sub. The R700s would probably benefit from the addition of a sub for SOME of my content, but not much. The wife wins this round (she adamantly opposed a subwoofer in this room) but I think I end up with a dub anyway because the sound is truly exceptional.
3. I was worried the R700 may be too large in dimension and the walnut vinyl veneer would look cheap. They are very attractive speakers and, again, I am very pleased. More important, the spousal unit agrees they are attractive.
4. I was worried the sound would be a bit thin due to the 2 speaker setup. But these are truly room filling. I don't know how to explain the sound other than the sound is everywhere, all around, fully encompassing. I think the rear celing speakers (driven by my Onkyo RZ50 receiver) add to the experience, but even with them turned off the sound is spectacular.
In short, I am a very happy customer of Polk Audio and the R700 speakers. I don't know how much the Emotiva is adding to the experience - I suspect I would be equally thrilled with Outlaw, Rotel, etc... with equal power throughput. But the speakers, oh man, these exceed anything I've owned over the years. Nothing crazy, but KEF 3 way towers, Klipsch floor standing, and some pretty good 3 way speakers on stands + sub. These are so far above anything I've owned I'm stunned... and very pleased.
Thank you to everyone for the thoughtful comments!
1. I was worried from various posts about brightness of the Emotiva amp, too neutral for the speakers and without warmth, etc... But the sound to me is not clinical, bright, or cold - it is room-filling, clear, full, and warm. I have a large room with 11 foot ceilings and glass all along one side wall. For anyone worried about the same issue, it ended up not being an issue AT ALL for me!
2. I was worried I would miss my subwoofer. Previous house had 1000 watt HSU sub that was extremely powerful - a really great sub. The R700s would probably benefit from the addition of a sub for SOME of my content, but not much. The wife wins this round (she adamantly opposed a subwoofer in this room) but I think I end up with a dub anyway because the sound is truly exceptional.
3. I was worried the R700 may be too large in dimension and the walnut vinyl veneer would look cheap. They are very attractive speakers and, again, I am very pleased. More important, the spousal unit agrees they are attractive.
4. I was worried the sound would be a bit thin due to the 2 speaker setup. But these are truly room filling. I don't know how to explain the sound other than the sound is everywhere, all around, fully encompassing. I think the rear celing speakers (driven by my Onkyo RZ50 receiver) add to the experience, but even with them turned off the sound is spectacular.
In short, I am a very happy customer of Polk Audio and the R700 speakers. I don't know how much the Emotiva is adding to the experience - I suspect I would be equally thrilled with Outlaw, Rotel, etc... with equal power throughput. But the speakers, oh man, these exceed anything I've owned over the years. Nothing crazy, but KEF 3 way towers, Klipsch floor standing, and some pretty good 3 way speakers on stands + sub. These are so far above anything I've owned I'm stunned... and very pleased.
Thank you to everyone for the thoughtful comments!
rkevin
12 ·
Re: Another one gone, Tom Lehrer passed away
so, so much of his oeuvre is so "politically incorrect", I felt the need to ferret out an uncontroversial song of his. This is a truly weird mash-up version, but it'll do (and YT is b!tc#ing at me about ad blockers today, so I don't feel like exploring there too much more).
https://youtu.be/3DyZQzqmFVM?si=OLYH1UvQFeoGuRQ8&t=22
https://youtu.be/3DyZQzqmFVM?si=OLYH1UvQFeoGuRQ8&t=22
mhardy6647
2 ·
Re: Darqueknight/ Ray Smith has passed away
May he rest in peace, surrounded by love and music for eternity.
Clipdat
4 ·
Re: Another one gone, Tom Lehrer passed away
Had to pull out and play my 1953 10-inch LP version of this in homage. RIP
agingboomer
2 ·
Re: Darqueknight/ Ray Smith has passed away
Read quite a bit of his posts and thoroughly enjoyed his expertise.
To his family are wishes of great memories and a celebration of life.
F1... Wow, thanks for sharing that.
Best wishes on your next adventure Darqueknight.
To his family are wishes of great memories and a celebration of life.
F1... Wow, thanks for sharing that.
Best wishes on your next adventure Darqueknight.
skipshot12
2 ·
Re: Darqueknight/ Ray Smith has passed away
Really bummed out to hear this. As much as Ray knew about Polk and audio, it was nothing compared to how generous and supportive he was in sharing his experiences with anyone who took the time to ask. I was a total stranger to the man, and he guided me like I was a brother or son. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
Dr_Wu
4 ·