Will polk ever bring out high end speakers
Comments
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I absolutely understand it Kyle, but that doesn't mean I like it...
These are far different times for the audio scene than they were even 5 years ago. I wonder how many truly amazing products have been left to die on the vine because of these changes, and that is the tragedy of it all...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 -
I wish I could say how soon an announcment will be made on the New Lsi, but unfortunately I have been given limited information and only about 1% of that I can actually talk about right now.
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Unless you're buying Tidal or Peak Consult, there will always be something better, in this case potting them would be a bad idea.On a separate note, have Polk consider of potting the X/O in resin with the idea of making them in finality with the best components, for the price point Polk intend to market the LSi at?
Kyle, thanks for your recent participation, you should post more often."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
polkfarmboy wrote: »I get what your saying because when I decided to get into audio i saw the lsi line and had an omg moment when I saw the price of them . Now I'm getting hardcore the seem like they are super cheap and good value when compared to the competition
That mirrors my experience exactly. The LSi line seemed expensive before I made the mistake of listening to speakers that retail for $13,000 a pair. I'm not a big DIY modder... at least not yet, and I have to admit it puts me on my heels a bit to think of buying a pair of brand new LSi's and then having to either open them up myself or send the XO's to a non-Polk 3rd party for mods to get the most out of them. I would much rather pay extra even at retail for something that Polk fans and pro reviewers agreed was about as good as it could be out of the box.
But I respect that 1) that may not be possible because no matter how good you make something people will always want better and draw comparisons to vastly more expensive products, and 2) Polk certainly knows their market better than I ever will.
I think the home electronics market is completely fragmented right now. When it comes to audio, the bulk of the money goes to achieving sound quality that is appropriate for mobile / portable applications or home theater applications. An environment and equipment that is appropriate for 2-channel "critical" listening is an afterthought, if a thought at all, for what has to be over 99% of the audio market. We here represent a tiny fraction of a fraction of the market.
And it isn't just audio. Pioneer had a lock on high-quality plasma displays, and they just stopped making them, because even though they were almost unanimously considered the best, it wasn't enough to get joe consumer to drop an extra $1000 to have a really great looking 50" TV. So, it seems like the high-end of mid-level is getting squeezed, and that's a bummer.
Plus, I totally feel the distribution issue that Kyle brought up. The few "high-end" audio places in the area don't have even the LSi's in their listening room. I'm not sure they could be convinced to add Polk to their stock. Fry's does, but they are in a big open room like a giant walk-in closet with no door, right next to the Bose demonstration area booming away. It's ridiculously terrible.
I think Polk is doing a good job and getting it right given the market conditions overall. -
Right on George. Having heard modded LSI's and SDA's back to back in the same rig, the LSI's excelled in most areas, mostly due to it's inert narrow cabinet, higher quality drivers, and crossover design.george daniel wrote: »If you get a chance you might wanna' get your ears on a pair of LSI-15's with Sonicaps,,you might just change your mind.;)
EDIT;-- with tubes.
I agree, there are multiple write ups and pictures here. If you don't feel comfortable to do it yourself, you could possibly find someone to do it for you.No need to provide a X-over kit as the DIY community has covered it over and over and over."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Even as it is, you're lucky you don't work for Apple Computer!KyleShufelt wrote: »I wish I could say how soon an announcment will be made on the New Lsi, but unfortunately I have been given limited information and only about 1% of that I can actually talk about right now.
BTW, don't bring anything confidential with you to any bars!Alea jacta est! -
KyleShufelt wrote: »I wish I could say how soon an announcment will be made on the New Lsi, but unfortunately I have been given limited information and only about 1% of that I can actually talk about right now.
Tell us 100% about the 1% that you know of Kyle so I can get 20% more of an idea of what to expect -
polkfarmboy wrote: »Tell us 100% about the 1% that you know of Kyle so I can get 20% more of an idea of what to expect
I can guess from all the information gathered that his answer will be this...
"I can tell you with 100% certainty there is a replacement for the LSi coming someday....":p:DThe 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 -
Considering how many of us buy our stuff used, especially the "high end" stuff, I'm not sure any of our opinions are of much use to Polk Audio in their product development and sales strategy. For us to be able to buy used high end Polk products, somebody somewhere still has to buy them brand spankin' new, with little or no discount, at some point in time.Alea jacta est!
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Considering how many of us buy our stuff used, especially the "high end" stuff, I'm not sure any of our opinions are of much use to Polk Audio in their product development and sales strategy. For us to be able to buy used high end Polk products, somebody somewhere still has to buy them brand spankin' new, with little or no discount, at some point in time.
I'm that somebody
Most of us new buyers only buy because its easy to get credit on new speakers -
Kyle, thank your for your continued conversation in this thread. Business is business and that I believe trumps all other, questions, comments, criticisms and jokes. I'm sure Polk knows what they are doing business wise. While I agree with most of what people have posted here, I think Kex made the best point. Most of us in Club Polk buy used. I personally have five sets Polk speakers all purchased used. The last time I purchased a new Polk offering was in 1984 the SDA/SRS. I've been wanting to buy a set of LSi 25s and redo the crossover but the economy being what it is and several other considerations I can't.
I believe that is where most people are today and I believe that that is what Polk takes into consideration along with what you've written as far as keeping Polk in business.
Sure we love the SDA technology but as Brock said it was poo poo'd by the "audiophile" writers and community when they first came out as a gimmick. I remember being ribbed about my 1984 purchase of the SDA/SRSs that is until the ribbers heard them. The other problem with the original SDAs is their size.
That being said, I think the ideas being kicked around by the designers of trying to come up with SDA technology in a slimmer cabinet might be what will make the whole "audiophile" community take notice.
Thinking out loud here . . . -
Kyle, thanks for your recent participation, you should post more often.
I post as often as I can, but Im one of the guys answering Emails, and taking telephone calls for customer support/sales/tech support. So my days are very VERY busy lol
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Now I'm interested in listening to a modded pair of LSi's....
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Considering how many of us buy our stuff used, especially the "high end" stuff, I'm not sure any of our opinions are of much use to Polk Audio in their product development and sales strategy. For us to be able to buy used high end Polk products, somebody somewhere still has to buy them brand spankin' new, with little or no discount, at some point in time.
THANK YOU! Someone finally said it.
The LSI'S when you take into consideration the upgrades you have to make to your electronics to get the best out of the speakers rapidly raises the over all price tag for the LSI's which as far as I'm concerned puts them into "High end" territory.
Making a bunch of DIY kits that very few would buy would be a waste of money for Polk, as well as "statement speakers"
Polk doesn't have that kind of time or money to waste, and you CHEAP bastages wouldn't buy any of it unless it was on the used market.
So either go get your "statement speakers" from somewhere else or build them yourselves.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2 -
I'm probably 180 degrees from most people on the board... Polk is the only brand of speakers I've paid retail for in my adult (post-college) life, and I definitely would do it again. I'm happy to hear a new line of LSi-level speaker might be around the corner. Second, I'd never mess with a speaker under warranty. I can understand why people who are heavy into the hobby would do so, but that's not for me. Third, I hate to say it... but I hope Polk doesn't go back to any design involving an interconnect. I like the sound of my SDA's, but I hate that friggin cable. I'd sacrifice the bigger soundstage for clean, accurate, full spectrum sound that doesn't involve additional cable hassle and another potential point of failure.
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Polk's target audience has just spoken."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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Polk's target audience has just spoken.
Yep, sorry for being that guy, but it's the truth in my case. -
No need to apologize."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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SDA is a gimmic. Nothing more and nothing less
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THANK YOU! Someone finally said it.
The LSI'S when you take into consideration the upgrades you have to make to your electronics to get the best out of the speakers rapidly raises the over all price tag for the LSI's which as far as I'm concerned puts them into "High end" territory.
Making a bunch of DIY kits that very few would buy would be a waste of money for Polk, as well as "statement speakers"
Polk doesn't have that kind of time or money to waste, and you CHEAP bastages wouldn't buy any of it unless it was on the used market.
So either go get your "statement speakers" from somewhere else or build them yourselves.
Shut up, Karen -
Im in college right now and hopefully going to med school soon. I have only bought used polk products because in reality I cant afford them retail. However, due to the quality of these products, if I do ever get some money I very much plan on buying the top of the line polks!HOME AUDIO:
Electronics:
HK 354
Front Power: CARVER TFM-35
Center Power: Audiosource Amp One
Speakers:
Center: CSi5
Fronts: rti10s
Rears: monitor 50s
psw 125 + psw 505 = BOOM
CAR AUDIO
Infinity 6032CF's all around -
You are a very wise men my friendIm in college right now and hopefully going to med school soon. I have only bought used polk products because in reality I cant afford them retail. However, due to the quality of these products, if I do ever get some money I very much plan on buying the top of the line polks!
Cheers!
TKDARE TO SOAR:
Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life
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I'd sacrifice the bigger soundstage for clean, accurate, full spectrum sound that doesn't involve additional cable hassle and another potential point of failure.
You should sell them to someone who would appreicate what they are.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Big, expensive speakers do sell. That obviously doesn't fit Polk's business model these days (damn shame), but they do sell none the less.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I think what Polk should do is offer and optional higher end Xo for the people that needs such. To me, it always seemed ackward that people buy a product and then wind-up replacing the components for higher quality. This speaks for itself.....A factory authorized XO mod that was an easy DIY to install would be desirable option that would be attractive to many LSi owners. It could be based on advance special order through Club Polk.
I would say there are many of us in the Club that have purchased new or refurbished speakers from Polk Direct. Not everyone wants to buy used.
With respect to appearance in a physical store, I would rather see a nice set of RTiA speakers on display at my local Best Buy instead of the BOSE system I see there now. Why doesn't Best Buy carry the RTiA series?
I understand that this is a business and companies need to cut costs in order to be competitive but how can audiophiles take a product seriously if the owners has to modify it in order to get the full quality that the product is capable of That might not be too appealing for many however, if an option Xo is offered (just like car: Basic or the high end option) then potential clients would then see the product in a different way and should satisfy most (the budget concious along with the SQ concious). This might also be an advantage for Polk as they don't make money on those people (on the opposite, I think they cost Polk money) that buy used therefore they could make a little money on their upgrades.
Cheers!
TKDARE TO SOAR:
Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life -
how can audiophiles take a product seriously if the owners has to modify it in order to get the full quality that the product is capable of
Really? There are not many products in the audio world that couldn't benefit from a little upgrading/tweaking.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
We have to realize that many (even most) people don't have the ability nor willingness to do tweeking. As a business I am convinced that Polk realises this fact and for the sake of the majority of its clients maybe offering a quality Xo as an option could be a gain for Polk. We must realize that most of the electronics come from China and with larger tolerances specs nowadays and I would imagine the upgraded Xo has much smaller tolerance scale and comes from much better quality supplier. If a company only stick with the bottom cost-quality and do not offer the better quality as an option it loose some of its potential clientele. Yes, products can always be improved and wouldn't be time for Polk to improve those Lsi? If the community proved that the tweeks are a must to get the better out of the Lsi, I then think Polk should move in that direction, right??Really? There are not many products in the audio world that couldn't benefit from a little upgrading/tweaking.
Cheers!
TKDARE TO SOAR:
Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life -
You should sell them to someone who would appreicate what they are.
We all should make our own decisions about how we want to spend our money and the living room real estate we dedicate to audio and the level of effort we want to expend in modifying what we have purchased. That's pretty much the point of this thread. Polk has to respond to the economic decisions we all make around home audio purchases in the aggregate. Just because I don't appreciate the extra complexity of the SDA's, no matter how slight it might be, doesn't mean I don't deserve to own them.
I appreciate the speakers and am glad I own them. It was worth what I paid and the effort to fix the interconnect to hear my music on them. But, the interconnect is proprietary. It gets broken or lost. I wouldn't pay retail money for a new pair knowing what I know now. No disrespect intended to those who are waiting for SDA + LSi. -
As far as the LSi vs. SDA debate goes...I wouldn't really say that ones better than the other. It's an apples to hammers comparison. They're VERY different sounding speakers. I love the SDA effect and the huge soundstage that you get from SDA's. However, I think the LSi's are a bit more accurate in the upper registers, and have a slightly tighter bass response.
To be fair though, I've never own any LSi's. I'll hopefully be getting a pair of 9's later this year though, so I'll be able to make my own direct comparisons.THANK YOU! Someone finally said it.
The LSI'S when you take into consideration the upgrades you have to make to your electronics to get the best out of the speakers rapidly raises the over all price tag for the LSI's which as far as I'm concerned puts them into "High end" territory.
Making a bunch of DIY kits that very few would buy would be a waste of money for Polk, as well as "statement speakers"
Polk doesn't have that kind of time or money to waste, and you CHEAP bastages wouldn't buy any of it unless it was on the used market.
So either go get your "statement speakers" from somewhere else or build them yourselves.
Great post Cathy. Agreed 100%.A factory authorized XO mod that was an easy DIY to install would be desirable option that would be attractive to many LSi owners. It could be based on advance special order through Club Polk or Polk Direct.;)
I would say there are many of us in the Club that have purchased new or refurbished speakers from Polk Direct. I own several new systems. Not everyone wants to buy used, however we do like deep discounts from MSRP.:)
With respect to appearance in a physical store, I would rather see a nice set of RTiA speakers on display at my local Best Buy instead of the BOSE system I see there now. Why doesn't Best Buy carry the RTiA series?
I really don't think very many people would buy a factory direct XO upgrade kit. To the vast majority of people out there, the LSi's are as good sounding of a speaker as they'll ever need. What a lot of us seem to forget, is that Polk's main target consumer is NOT the crazy audiophiles. Their main target consumer is the average Joe blow that's looking to upgrade their audio experience, without spending an arm and a leg to get it.
I'd be willing to bet that the majority of LSi owners out there, are running them off of AVR's that aren't even rated for 4 ohm speakers. Most of these people are probably perfectly content with the way their rigs sound too. 90% of the owners of LSi speakers out there have probably never considered XO upgrades, or for that matter even realized that they could upgrade their XO's.
Like I said...a lot of us forget that the average audio product consumer isn't a crazy audiophile that spends thousands of dollars on IC cables, and hundreds of dollars on a single capacitor for a crossover. Let alone things like $30 "audiophile grade" fuses.
For the small 5% of the consumers out there that actually would consider modding the XO's...it's simple enough to do yourself, as long as you're halfway handy with a soldering iron. Even if you're not, there are plenty of people around the forums that have modded plenty of crossovers for people.
As for myself, I'd rather mod the XO's myself anyway. It's a fun project, and it's self rewarding. You also have the advantage of being able to try out different brands of capacitors etc...The nirvana inducer-
APC H10 Power Conditioner
Marantz UD5005 universal player
Parasound Halo P5 preamp
Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's -
Have to disagree here Curt, I own the 9's and would absolutely consider an XO mod purchased directly from Polk. I was not satisfied with the room response in the environment the speakers were placed in. Because they had to be tucked away close to corners of the room the upper low frequency seemed to over take everything else. I do realize the rear porting has a lot to do with the problem, but I'm guessing some XO tweek in one direction or another would help.
The customer would need to be able to buy a custom spec unit, using Polk's knowledge to obtain a desired result.
For smaller rooms a mod to relieve this issue would have me keeping mine.
And if 5% of owners were willing to purchase a mod, what kind of numbers does that translate into?Parasound C1, T3, HCA-3500, HCA-2205A, P/DD1550, Pioneer DV-79avi, Oppo BDP-83, WD Media Server W/HDD,
Dynaudio Contour 3.3, Dynaudio Contour T2.1, Polk OWM3, Polk DSW micropro 1000 (x2),
Pioneer Kuro 50" Plasma, Phillips Pronto Control w/Niles HT-MSU.
