New LSi
Comments
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I'm glad to see that Polk's focus has not been diminished by the change in ownership. I for one was waiting for the next generation of speakers to see what affect that the past changes might bring.
If the new line is as good at reproducing audio as the amount of engineering/development would leed you to believe (yeah, I know engineering data means little. It's the finished product and the combination of components (synergy) that will be the proof.
I for one will be looking forward to the first "real" reviews ,specifically for the bookshelf, if the new model addresses some minor personal issues I had of the LSI9's sound i'm in. -
These are relevant to my interests. Can't wait to hear them. I'd been thinking of some mid-line B&Ws as my next upgrade, but I think these just went to the top of the list to check out.Turntable: Empire 208
Arm: Rega 300
Cart: Shelter 501 III
Phono Pre: dsachs consulting
Digital: Marantz SACD 30n
Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
Amp: Conrad Johnson Premier 350
Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified -
These are relevant to my interests. Can't wait to hear them. I'd been thinking of some mid-line B&Ws as my next upgrade, but I think these just went to the top of the list to check out.
Funny that you mentioned the B&W's, I recently purchased a pair of B&W 685's
to "tide" me over as I continue to search for bookshelf speakers I can live with. -
I'm glad to see that Polk's focus has not been diminished by the change in ownership. I for one was waiting for the next generation of speakers to see what affect that the past changes might bring.
If the new line is as good at reproducing audio as the amount of engineering/development would leed you to believe (yeah, I know engineering data means little. It's the finished product and the combination of components (synergy) that will be the proof.
I for one will be looking forward to the first "real" reviews ,specifically for the bookshelf, if the new model addresses some minor personal issues I had of the LSI9's sound i'm in.
It seems the new owners are more competent in their marketing IMOMy System Showcase!
Media Room
Paradigm Studio 60 - Paradigm CC-690 - Paradigm ADP-390 - Epik Empire - Anthem MRX300 - Emotiva XPA-5
Living-room
Paradigm MilleniaOne - Rythmik F12GSE - Onkyo TX-SR805 - Adcom 5400
Headphones
Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear - Shure SE215 - Fiio E18 Kunlun -
It seems the new owners are more competent in their marketing IMO
Could you explain? How has the marketing changed? If you are speaking of the new LSi M's, they haven't marketed anything yet.
I for one don't care for the press literature which is filled with all kinds of buzz words, it sounds just a tad gimmicky to me. I know what Polk is about so I believe the words like Dynamic Balance, Dynamic Sonic Engine, Extended Linear Motion, Advance Isotropic ring radiator are more than hype...........but higher end audiophile shoppers might take exception to so many pointless marketing words.
I was completely impressed with the new "Feed Forward" Micro Pro subs when I heard them and after I had a chance to talk to the engineers at HQ about them at PF '08.
I know for me as soon as a product starts loading up with marketing speak I become suspicious.
That said...............I can't wait to hear them and perhaps even purchase a pair in the future.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
It seems the new owners are more competent in their marketing IMO
I wouldn't say that. Polk and DEI were both adept at marketing I personally didn't want to see Polk or its products "watered" down. Polk as a company got where it was on marketing and producing stand out products for years. -
Marketing is a lot more than how you pitch your products to consumers (ie marketing material and buzz words), it’s more importantly about how you position your products and your brand.
Polk’s speakers have sort of lost their sense of identity in recent years...they’ve adopted a mass market pricing and distribution strategy that, IMO, cheapened the brand and actually hurt them in the long-run. Nothing wrong with competing with the likes of Bose, Onkyo HTIB, Sony HTIB, and Samsung HTIB, but that’s a very competitive, price-driven market, and unfortunately in those markets, price takes precedence over quality.
There’s no sense of brand equity in a lot of Polk’s products anymore. While Bose has a tremendous amount of brand equity (look how much people are willing to pay for Bose gear), look how heavily the Monitor line has discounted, even before the TSi’s were released. That comes directly off Polk’s bottom line. Polk speakers don’t hold their value at all compared to a lot of their competitors, and brand equity has a lot to do with that.
On the other end of the spectrum Polk tries to cater to, the ‘audiophile’ community, Polk gets no respect…even from Polkies who own a lot of vintage gear. The LSi’s are well received by serious audio enthusiasts who have heard them, but a lot of ‘audiophiles’ stay away from them strictly because of the Polk branding they’re associated with. It’s the same reason people don’t take a luxury sedan from Hyundai seriously....no matter how many features they pack into it for the price.
It seems Polk’s marketing strategy in the past 15 years or so has been a bottom-up strategy. Release a bunch of affordable, entry level products, and hope consumers trickle upwards in their product catalog. But as mentioned earlier, this has a negative effect on brand equity and cheapens the brand.
With the LSi-M, it seems Polk is adopting a trickle-down marketing strategy. The LSi-M’s are the Corvette ZR-1 of Polk’s product line…..Just as the ZR-1 sought to knock the Porsche 911 GT-2 off its pedestal, the LSi-M is representative of the best that Polk’s engineers can deliver to compete with, and outperform high-end competitors. With the Blackstone satellites, we see features of the LSi-M, trickling down to their mass-market lines, which says a lot about the quality of even their cheaper products. It will give consumers the sense that they are buying a well-priced product from a company that produces high quality gear. For the past 15 years the inverse has been true…consumers buying high end Polk speakers see them as an exception to a company who has otherwise been releasing very average/mediocre products.My System Showcase!
Media Room
Paradigm Studio 60 - Paradigm CC-690 - Paradigm ADP-390 - Epik Empire - Anthem MRX300 - Emotiva XPA-5
Living-room
Paradigm MilleniaOne - Rythmik F12GSE - Onkyo TX-SR805 - Adcom 5400
Headphones
Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear - Shure SE215 - Fiio E18 Kunlun -
I see your point, and agree there is that "cluttered" TSI/Monitor middle ground that really does make you wonder.
Maybe I should have said Polk might have been loosing focus (or better yet spread itself too thinly to have a credible focus on any given product tier)
Hopefully the new line will now increase focus on better products at all levels and a general feeling among potential consumers and the media that they (Polk)
have made significant changes at the top end of the spectrum that only reinforces that perception. -
Hardcore.Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »Mark this is the first time I have been excited about Polk speakers in... god 6-7 years? Looks like they hit a home run
And that's very cool coming from you Trey, I believe it.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
From facebook
Hot DAMN are they beautiful. Very stylish and sexy. Those oval PRs really look cool too.
I would love to hear the floorstanders. Perhaps when they go out to the distributors I'll get my ears on them at Quest for Sound! I also like the curved tops on the bookshelf speakers . . . very distinctive.$4000 is alot of $$$$$$
No, not really. I recall spending over $3200 w/tax in 1985 for brand new SDA/SRSs. So, if you take into consideration 25 years later Polk's new flagship model is $4000 they really aren't that expensive. -
Marketing is a lot more than how you pitch your products to consumers (ie marketing material and buzz words), its more importantly about how you position your products and your brand.
Polks speakers have sort of lost their sense of identity in recent years...theyve adopted a mass market pricing and distribution strategy that, IMO, cheapened the brand and actually hurt them in the long-run. Nothing wrong with competing with the likes of Bose, Onkyo HTIB, Sony HTIB, and Samsung HTIB, but thats a very competitive, price-driven market, and unfortunately in those markets, price takes precedence over quality.
Theres no sense of brand equity in a lot of Polks products anymore. While Bose has a tremendous amount of brand equity (look how much people are willing to pay for Bose gear), look how heavily the Monitor line has discounted, even before the TSis were released. That comes directly off Polks bottom line. Polk speakers dont hold their value at all compared to a lot of their competitors, and brand equity has a lot to do with that.
On the other end of the spectrum Polk tries to cater to, the audiophile community, Polk gets no respect even from Polkies who own a lot of vintage gear. The LSis are well received by serious audio enthusiasts who have heard them, but a lot of audiophiles stay away from them strictly because of the Polk branding theyre associated with. Its the same reason people dont take a luxury sedan from Hyundai seriously....no matter how many features they pack into it for the price.
It seems Polks marketing strategy in the past 15 years or so has been a bottom-up strategy. Release a bunch of affordable, entry level products, and hope consumers trickle upwards in their product catalog. But as mentioned earlier, this has a negative effect on brand equity and cheapens the brand.
With the LSi-M, it seems Polk is adopting a trickle-down marketing strategy. The LSi-Ms are the Corvette ZR-1 of Polks product line ..Just as the ZR-1 sought to knock the Porsche 911 GT-2 off its pedestal, the LSi-M is representative of the best that Polks engineers can deliver to compete with, and outperform high-end competitors. With the Blackstone satellites, we see features of the LSi-M, trickling down to their mass-market lines, which says a lot about the quality of even their cheaper products. It will give consumers the sense that they are buying a well-priced product from a company that produces high quality gear. For the past 15 years the inverse has been true consumers buying high end Polk speakers see them as an exception to a company who has otherwise been releasing very average/mediocre products.
Who farted?CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
hearingimpared wrote: »Those oval PRs really look cool too.
They are racetrack woofers, not passive radiators.Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service. -
I see your point, and agree there is that "cluttered" TSI/Monitor middle ground that really does make you wonder.
Maybe I should have said Polk might have been loosing focus (or better yet spread itself too thinly to have a credible focus on any given product tier)
Hopefully the new line will now increase focus on better products at all levels and a general feeling among potential consumers and the media that they (Polk)
have made significant changes at the top end of the spectrum that only reinforces that perception.
Lack of focus and over-diversification has killed a lot of companies actually.
If you try to do everything at once, you'll do everything terribly.My System Showcase!
Media Room
Paradigm Studio 60 - Paradigm CC-690 - Paradigm ADP-390 - Epik Empire - Anthem MRX300 - Emotiva XPA-5
Living-room
Paradigm MilleniaOne - Rythmik F12GSE - Onkyo TX-SR805 - Adcom 5400
Headphones
Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear - Shure SE215 - Fiio E18 Kunlun -
My System Showcase!
Media Room
Paradigm Studio 60 - Paradigm CC-690 - Paradigm ADP-390 - Epik Empire - Anthem MRX300 - Emotiva XPA-5
Living-room
Paradigm MilleniaOne - Rythmik F12GSE - Onkyo TX-SR805 - Adcom 5400
Headphones
Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear - Shure SE215 - Fiio E18 Kunlun -
Lack of focus and over-diversification has killed a lot of companies actually.
If you try to do everything at once, you'll do everything terribly.
If Polk hadn't done what they did moving to more mass produced products we wouldn't be here talking about them. End of story.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
Great sense of maturity from our mods! :rolleyes:
Every now and then we require laughter, whether its your post or mine. Happy listening.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Lack of focus and over-diversification has killed a lot of companies actually.
If you try to do everything at once, you'll do everything terribly.
Yeah, but Polk really only makes speakers...the Speaker Specialists.
(I'll throw out the I-Sonic, although I would probably buy one over the other junk I saw in Bransdsmart the other day).
Now you could argue Emotiva is way over diversified....cables, amps, CD players, speakers, sub-par user forums...;) -
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I just think the looks are just plain sexy....
Also does the surrounds even have the power ports in them? It looked like it was raised up a bit on the bottom for those type of ports. And from the pic they look huge! while I don't think thats a bad thing at all, finding stands to put them on might be a bit harder, unless they are around the same size as the FX6's which then no biggie. -
I just think the looks are just plain sexy....
Also does the surrounds even have the power ports in them? It looked like it was raised up a bit on the bottom for those type of ports. And from the pic they look huge! while I don't think thats a bad thing at all, finding stands to put them on might be a bit harder, unless they are around the same size as the FX6's which then no biggie.
They have power ports, it's a Polk trademark.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Marketing is a lot more than how you pitch your products to consumers (ie marketing material and buzz words), it’s more importantly about how you position your products and your brand.
Polk’s speakers have sort of lost their sense of identity in recent years...they’ve adopted a mass market pricing and distribution strategy that, IMO, cheapened the brand and actually hurt them in the long-run. Nothing wrong with competing with the likes of Bose, Onkyo HTIB, Sony HTIB, and Samsung HTIB, but that’s a very competitive, price-driven market, and unfortunately in those markets, price takes precedence over quality.
Where you get that is beyond me. Polk has always catered to the masses. As far as their speakers not retaining their value, that's simply absurd. A pair of SDA/SRS line speaker that cost $3000 20 years ago are selling all the time on eBay and craigslist for $2000. That's 2/3rds of the original cost. How many used audio gear products go for more than 1/3rd of their original MSRP?On the other end of the spectrum Polk tries to cater to, the ‘audiophile’ community, Polk gets no respect…even from Polkies who own a lot of vintage gear. The LSi’s are well received by serious audio enthusiasts who have heard them, but a lot of ‘audiophiles’ stay away from them strictly because of the Polk branding they’re associated with.
Polk tries to cater to the 'audiophile' community!?! Maybe every so often with a flagship model but other than that, they go for the masses. As far as you statement about 'audiophiles' staying away because of the name well there may be some truth to that but it is only with the uneducated or snobby high high end guys who won't even give them a shot.
I'm too tired to address the rest of you post but with all due respect you are way off base and Polk is doing just fine financially.Who farted?
Agreed, a lot of hot air!Great sense of maturity from our mods! :rolleyes:
Awe 'cmon don't take yourself so seriously. I was looking for a youtube vid of Wise Guys where the Fixer lit a match is a house full of gas and just as he lit the match he said, "Who Faated". When Doro posted his remark it brought me right to that scene and had me cracking up. . . Laugh a little!Every now and then we require laughter, whether its your post or mine. Happy listening.
I like to laugh all the time especially in the face of this economy just to keep me sane.Yeah, but Polk really only makes speakers...the Speaker Specialists.
(I'll throw out the I-Sonic, although I would probably buy one over the other junk I saw in Bransdsmart the other day).
Now you could argue Emotiva is way over diversified....cables, amps, CD players, speakers, sub-par user forums...;)
That quote right there mystik610 shoots holes through your post and one statement in particular like Swiss cheese!
I think if you were at the recent Corporate Polkfest you would have a completely different view point. -
Anyone know any dimensions of these? Asking due to the fact I am in the market but have space limitation on center channel. So I need to know dimensions and dont want to wait till next year to either buy or wait for these.....Klipsch RF7-II
Klipsch RC64-II
Klipsch RC62-II
Onkyo TX-SR805
Dish 722 dvr
Sony BDPS370 Blue Ray
Samsung 52b750 LCD Tv
Panasonic DVD Recorder -
a serial plate with mathew polk's signatureFront: Martinlogan ESL
Center: Martinlogan Stage
Rear: Martinlogan Motion 4
Sub: Martinlogan Grotto-I
Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC 1523K
PC 2 Channel: Polk LSI7
Headset: Grado RS2 + Grado RA1 amp
Mic: Neumann KMS605
Car Audio
2002 MB C240 Sedan
MM6501 components
MM840 sub
MB Quart Onyx 4.60 (1/2 to components, 3/4 bridged to sub)
Pioneer 8200BT HU -
Very nice! Now I REALLY love Al!
Nice, clean lines. I will choose black over the cherry though. All in all, great work Polk Audio. Can't wait to hear them. -
Is anybody aware of any technical papers demonstrating the ability of racetrack shaped speakers to produce accurate, undistorted sound? Maybe it is just the different look, but it is hard for me, at this time, to understand how that shape can be as accurate as a circular shape. I'm sure it is, but being an engineer I would like to see side-by-side measurments of a traditional speaker shape compared to a race track shape.
Who knows. Maybe an octogon, or triangle, shape is better than a circle or racetrack.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Looks Great but I still prefer the old LSi look (i.e. wood sides)! But how it sounds is most important of all. Why are we going back to the past with the oval drivers? Any particular sonic advantage other than the smaller foot print for these oval bass drivers?
Am I correct to think there are 4 ways XO in the tower series? Tweeter + Mid-Range + Mid-bass + Sub-woofer?
+ 1.
... oval drivers...
It's a nice design. It is not to my liking total expected something different. Not so plastic.
I will wait for my dealer has them and I will see if the sound exceeds LSi. I have doubts about the effect of oval speakers .... -
I would like to let everyone know that the above pic is NOT representative of the final product. The logo is different and the cones are not silver. As soon as I get the okay, we will get the latest pics up. If you look at the pics took at HQ, they are correct.
http://www.twice.com/article/456024-Polk_Keeps_Up_Pace_Of_Product_Rollouts.php -
+ 1.
... oval drivers...
It's a nice design. It is not to my liking total expected something different. Not so plastic.
I will wait for my dealer has them and I will see if the sound exceeds LSi. I have doubts about the effect of oval speakers ....
thank you for literally contributing nothing to this thread whatsoever, you're a peachLiving Room 2 Channel -
Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.
Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.
Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites -
Very exciting news! I've strayed from Polk products over the years because they didn't offer any subless floor standers in the LSI line. I will certainly give these a close look and listen once they are on showroom floors. Sadly though I suspect we'll still be auditioning them at stores like Fry's.
Will Polk try to get these into higher-end retailers? Perhaps Magnolia A/V?
