Polk Audio SR6500

TakeTheTime

I really want another set of SR's, and I want to try with bigger midbass. :cool:

http://www.woofersetc.com/p5543/SR6500--Polk-Audio-65"-2-Way-Component-System-with-External-Crossover.htm

Is this still available? ^ If not, where can I get those badboys?

chu

no, all sr are discontinued. I like the punchiness of the sr52500

TakeTheTime

Yeah, me too, but I would like to have some midwoofers that can go even lower and handle some volume.
Love the SR's! I guess I'm gonna have to wait and buy some 6500 speakers used?

MacLeod

Yeah the SR line is completely gone except for the subs. The SR6500 mid is one of the best speakers in the history of the world in my opinion.

It played down to 40 Hz with authority, would play up to 6.3 KHz, and had superb midrange. Its a shame demand for speakers of this caliber is so low that it couldnt sustain the line. A damn shame.

chu

MacLeod wrote: »

Yeah the SR line is completely gone except for the subs.

I was talking to my polk authorized dealer the other week, he told me that the
manufacturing plant that produces the srs has stopped production completely for the subs a few months back.

Mahna Mahna

So what's the new top line?

Are they replacing the SR line with something else?

chu

hopefully polk will replace the sr line, but its highly unlikely. i'm sitting on top a few pairs of srs.

MacLeod

chu wrote: »

I was talking to my polk authorized dealer the other week, he told me that the
manufacturing plant that produces the srs has stopped production completely for the subs a few months back.

Wow. I didnt know that. Oh well. Even more reason to mourn.

So what's the new top line?

Are they replacing the SR line with something else?

Right now its the Mobile Monitor line. I dont have any inside info but Im guessing Polk is done with the high end market. All the smaller audio companies that made the high end stuff are getting bought out by bigger companies like DEI. DEI makes a lot more money selling $100/pair coaxials and $100 subs to the masses than they do selling $900 speakers to a handful of people. So since there isnt really any money in them and big companies dont care about high end audio like Matt Polk did, you get a laid off car audio department and an ax to the SR line.

Same reason car audio competition isnt what it used to be. Used to be a couple hundred cars at finals where now there is 40-50. Back then you had smaller companies like PPI, Orion, MB Quart, Linear Power and so on that were into high performing gear and they backed the competition scene with sponsorships and lots of prize money.

Nowadays, all the car audio companies are owned by only a few big corporations and like I said above, theyre interested in selling 10,000 sets of DB subs at $150 a pop instead of 100 $900 sets of SR's. So they dont back or promote competition at all.

Im afraid this is the future of car audio. 3 maybe 4 companies owning all the car audio brands and a $300 set of components being the "high end".

TakeTheTime

MacLeod wrote: »

Yeah the SR line is completely gone except for the subs. The SR6500 mid is one of the best speakers in the history of the world in my opinion.

It played down to 40 Hz with authority, would play up to 6.3 KHz, and had superb midrange. Its a shame demand for speakers of this caliber is so low that it couldnt sustain the line. A damn shame.

Wow, yeah, I can't believe they'd stop producing such great speakers.
I hope Polk Audio themself knows just how good the SR Line is!? Tell 'em!

I love the SR5250's, but the 6500 mids is like 5 cm's bigger. And 40hz is LOW!
Well at least I have my SR5250 midwoofers for a while, I'll do what I can to
make them live a long life. AND I'll keep my eyes open for any SR6500 sets.

I know about a guy that can sell me a set of SR5250's here i Norway,
and I would buy it to have an extra, but I don't have the money for it now.

TakeTheTime

chu wrote: »

hopefully polk will replace the sr line, but its highly unlikely. i'm sitting on top a few pairs of srs.

How much for a pair of the SR6500's?

arun1963

+1 I would be interested too.....

TakeTheTime

But me first. Are we talkin' bidding-war?

arun1963

MacLeod wrote: »

I dont have any inside info but Im guessing Polk is done with the high end market. All the smaller audio companies that made the high end stuff are getting bought out by bigger companies like DEI. DEI makes a lot more money selling $100/pair coaxials and $100 subs to the masses than they do selling $900 speakers to a handful of people. So since there isnt really any money in them and big companies dont care about high end audio like Matt Polk did, you get a laid off car audio department and an ax to the SR line.

Same reason car audio competition isnt what it used to be. Used to be a couple hundred cars at finals where now there is 40-50. Back then you had smaller companies like PPI, Orion, MB Quart, Linear Power and so on that were into high performing gear and they backed the competition scene with sponsorships and lots of prize money.

Nowadays, all the car audio companies are owned by only a few big corporations and like I said above, theyre interested in selling 10,000 sets of DB subs at $150 a pop instead of 100 $900 sets of SR's. So they dont back or promote competition at all.

Im afraid this is the future of car audio. 3 maybe 4 companies owning all the car audio brands and a $300 set of components being the "high end".

Nice eulogy.

Funny, but thats real life too. Used to be a time when pure talent would get you noticed and rewarded. As long as the rules were fair and you had the talent, you'd be set. Even if you were average at other stuff.

It's a slightly different story now. The rules have changed a bit and now its not just sq anymore. You have to worry about other fluff. So now those with some talent, but great ability to handle fluff are the ones on the fast track..

I'm sure part of the perspective is an age issue, but the game is changing. Hey who knows MSL may be as big as the NFL in a couple of generations

KrazyMofo24

MacLeod wrote: »

Wow. I didnt know that. Oh well. Even more reason to mourn.



Right now its the Mobile Monitor line. I dont have any inside info but Im guessing Polk is done with the high end market. All the smaller audio companies that made the high end stuff are getting bought out by bigger companies like DEI. DEI makes a lot more money selling $100/pair coaxials and $100 subs to the masses than they do selling $900 speakers to a handful of people. So since there isnt really any money in them and big companies dont care about high end audio like Matt Polk did, you get a laid off car audio department and an ax to the SR line.

Same reason car audio competition isnt what it used to be. Used to be a couple hundred cars at finals where now there is 40-50. Back then you had smaller companies like PPI, Orion, MB Quart, Linear Power and so on that were into high performing gear and they backed the competition scene with sponsorships and lots of prize money.

Nowadays, all the car audio companies are owned by only a few big corporations and like I said above, theyre interested in selling 10,000 sets of DB subs at $150 a pop instead of 100 $900 sets of SR's. So they dont back or promote competition at all.

Im afraid this is the future of car audio. 3 maybe 4 companies owning all the car audio brands and a $300 set of components being the "high end".

This makes me want to grab another set at Fry's when I get a chance.

catch22atplay

As i've said previously. I checked many places online. Quite a few actually list the SR6500 as being in stock. I called every company and nobody has had any for several months. That includes woofersetc btw. Ebay is about the only place you'll find any. Unless you get real lucky and find them elsewhere. Local high end car audio store maybe. Although that seems unlikely as well.

I'm extremely happy i got 2 pairs each of the 5250's and 6500's. Can't wait to install these puppies. Using them as 3 way components is going to just plain kick arse.

As for Polk making more SR speakers they wouldn't do it unless it would turn a certain amount of profit. First they'd have to order a production run. Polk doesn't actually make the speakers. They engineer and make prototypes and test them, etc. Same goes for crossovers. This means they'd have to order a minimum number of speakers and crossovers to be manufactured overseas. To be profitable maybe this means a 2 week production run. That might mean 2,000 pairs of speakers. I'm sure my numbers and timeline are way off the mark. But using this example maybe 200 pairs would sell and they'd be sitting on 1,800 pairs for the next 5 years that would sell slowly over time. That isn't profitable at all short term. While it may be profitable in the long run the economy is bad now. I don't think any company can afford to sit on products during this time. Anyways that's one of many possible reasons why we won't see any more SR speakers being made. Competition is tough right now because of the economy. The SR line maybe wasn't profitable or profitable enough to continue. And who's to say, we may see a new high end line coming out a couple years down the road. But like any company it must be competitively priced and provide a min profit margin.

chu

catch22atplay wrote: »

I'm extremely happy i got 2 pairs each of the 5250's and 6500's. Can't wait to install these puppies. Using them as 3 way components is going to just plain kick arse.

Hah, I'm sitting on 4 of each atm go us! I had a great deal with my local polk hehe.

catch22atplay wrote: »

...First they'd have to order a production run. Polk doesn't actually make the speakers. They engineer and make prototypes and test them, etc. Same goes for crossovers. This means they'd have to order a minimum number of speakers and crossovers to be manufactured overseas.

I haven't checked, since I don't really care. But according to my dealer the sr was manufactured in the US.

catch22atplay

http://www.soundadviceblog.com/features/inside-polk-audio-a-visit-to-polk-audios-headquarters-in-baltimore-maryland/

That should answer some questions. Would love to see that injection molding mold machine in operation. Polk's testing procedures are very thorough and look well above the industry standards. I understand now how they can rate speakers for Marine use. Very thorough indeed.

TakeTheTime

I've got the highest bid on these SR6500's:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-SR6500-6-5-High-End-Component-Speaker-Set-/250658889016?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Car_Speakers&hash=item3a5c6f1d38

TakeTheTime

No problem sending to Norway? ^

TakeTheTime

I just spoke to a guy in Norway that can sell me a set of SR6500.

catch22atplay

Stop bidding against me.

TakeTheTime

Are you bidding on it too? It's okey, I think I get a 6500 her in Norway.

catch22atplay

Nah i was joking. However i have been tracking all e bay bids for SR6500's for the last couple months. That includes the one you were bidding on. The guy ran the speakers for 14 months. That's a bit to much use for me. Although they may be perfectly fine. I did like that he's got 1 extra woofer that's never been opened. It's probably a refurb as he asked for a replacement from Polk for a possibly faulty installed woofer.

With all these speakers i got i'm still looking for spares in case i blow one. Figured maybe i'd toss one Arun's way if i ever get 2 spares. I may not ever get any though.

TakeTheTime

Yes, 14 months is a while, but I don't see it as an issue. Speakers can last a lot longer, eh?

catch22atplay

If we're going based on my previous Polk Audio speaker experience than yes they last a long time indeed.

TakeTheTime

I just got this message from the eBay-dude:

I am sorry Simen, but I can not ship these overseas unless you are willing to pay like $280 USD for shipping like UPS quoted me. I apologize. Thank you.

I'm hoping the norwegian guy is selling me his set...

arun1963

catch22atplay wrote: »

With all these speakers i got i'm still looking for spares in case i blow one. Figured maybe i'd toss one Arun's way if i ever get 2 spares. I may not ever get any though.

Thanks dude, but that would total to a tidy sum. Cost of speakers plus $300 shipping plus duty at this end, for a used set at best. Can grab me a set of dls for about the same. At least they are still in production. But the sr's remain the best speakers I have heard to date.

catch22atplay

Ya i didn't think it thru. Shipping cost wouldn't be worth it.

TakeTheTime

I'm gonna get a set of SR6500, halt off! And it's almost not used, he said it isn't even broken in.

catch22atplay

Sweet dude. Sounds like a deal to me.

Bidding on some used SR6500's atm. If anyone else is bidding and wants them more than me let me know and i'll stop doing automatic bids. I don't need them that badly. I just want a couple spare woofs. http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-SR6500-Car-Component-Speakers-6-5-SR-6500-/260632675311?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Car_Speakers&hash=item3caeeb03ef

TakeTheTime

Look what I picked up today...















Just sitting here, adoring these babies. :cool:

catch22atplay wrote: »

Bidding on some used SR6500's atm. If anyone else is bidding and wants them more than me let me know and i'll stop doing automatic bids. I don't need them that badly. I just want a couple spare woofs. http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-SR6500-Car-Component-Speakers-6-5-SR-6500-/260632675311?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Car_Speakers&hash=item3caeeb03ef

Did you get them?