Polk Monitor 50s a bad buy?

jbooker82

Toolfan66 wrote: »

Keep what you got, save your money and buy a better system down the road. That small of a budget is only going to get you so far and jumping from this speaker to that speaker will cost you money and time and will more then likely gain you very little if any at all.

Yep x2.

slammin86

Toolfan66 wrote: »

Keep what you got, save your money and buy a better system down the road. That small of a budget is only going to get you so far and jumping from this speaker to that speaker will cost you money and time and will more then likely gain you very little if any at all.

Disagree

stround

cnh wrote: »

On another note. One of the only speakers I've ever heard reproduce an orchestral stage well are the large Carver Amazings. Probably out of the OP's budget but if you want to experience "being" there. Some Carvers and big assed power amps and you're good!
cnh

For some reason I stopped getting notifications about this thread. I just checked on google and yeah, for the price of these babies I'll have to pawn a lot of things to own them :cheesygrin:

stround

I just got the E5Tis and thought I'll give an update. Right while unpacking, I could see that a lot of care can gone into the whole process. A thick layer of styrofoam covers the speakers, and speakers were packed in two layers of cloth and plastic. On taking them out I was actually speechless after seeing the finish on the speakers. The red burl looked very fake in the photoshopped photos on their website, but once unboxed, it's a marvel to look at. Smooth, really glossy, wood like grains and absolutely stunning. At 300 for the pair, this was easily the best and one of the cheapest furniture I have in the house! While stripping speaker wire, I couldn't help keep staring at them. I've always been a sucker for motorcycles, engines and electronics but this is the first time that something out of wood has captivated me like this. The finish was far more better than I expected it to be.

After plugging them in, I went on to test with my favorite set of songs. The first was Riddle of Steel from Conan (original) OST, which is a fairly complex song. The speakers were upto the task, the vocals were vivid enough without distorting or toning down any of the instruments in the background. Heck, I heard a harp that I never knew was there at 3:36 of the song. Next up was Vivaldi's Summer allegro from Four Seasons. This is from a Tel-arc 1980s recording that I scourged for cheap (used) from Amazon. The recording is top notch being Tel-arc and the E5Tis surprised me by how life like the violins sound. I could easily close my ears and imagine the entire ensemble performing in front of me. Most of the credit should go to the recording, but the speakers handled it with grace without being over the top.

Next on was Dimmu Borgir's Abrahadabra. This isn't their best work of course, but is a good test for speakers since it's got death growls, 100 bpm drums, and a full orchestra in the background. I started with Xibir and was impressed with how I noticed a bass (the violin type) in the background in Born Treacherous that I hadn't before. I sat on listening, and realized that I've been through more than 30 minutes of the album only when I noticed that Demiurge Molecule was playing. The sound was too good that I was just drawn into the music and forgot to move along with the other test songs I had in mind.

Since I had the EMPs on B, and the Polks on A, I could easily go back switch both and compare the two easily. Overall, if I had to rate them side by side, I think the polk may win on the sound stage. I am ready to live with that, because the sound from the EMPs are far more neutral, sort of laid back with better instrument separation and in my opinion has a grandeur that the M50s just don't have. I am not an audio reviewer in any sense, and I am really struggling to describe the tonal characteristics. It's one of those things I can feel, but I am not able to describe. It's somewhat warm and very enduring. So yes, the EMPs win hands down - you could do a double blind test with average Joe and I bet he'll be able to point out that the EMPs are a step up from the M50s. I found the Polks are slightly in your face when compared to the EMPs. I hate it, but some of you might find that appealing. My headphones still have better sound separation, but I don't feel like I am losing out on clarity with these speakers.

Since they're hardly broken in, I am guessing the better part from these speakers are yet to come. Seriously though, for all those of you that have 300 to spare, I'll highly suggest that you try a pair of these. At the worst, you'll be left with fabulously good furniture in the house. I was pleasantly surprised by these pair of speakers, and can't imagine getting better value for my budget. What a nice way to start the weekend! Now I am off to deal with newegg for returning the Polks.

Geoff4rfc

stround wrote: »

The finish was far more better than I expected it to be.

Congratulations! It's so important to be happy with a purchase like that. Nice score bro.

slammin86

stround wrote: »

I just got the E5Tis and thought I'll give an update. Right while unpacking, I could see that a lot of care can gone into the whole process. A thick layer of styrofoam covers the speakers, and speakers were packed in two layers of cloth and plastic. On taking them out I was actually speechless after seeing the finish on the speakers. The red burl looked very fake in the photoshopped photos on their website, but once unboxed, it's a marvel to look at. Smooth, really glossy, wood like grains and absolutely stunning. At 300 for the pair, this was easily the best and one of the cheapest furniture I have in the house! While stripping speaker wire, I couldn't help keep staring at them. I've always been a sucker for motorcycles, engines and electronics but this is the first time that something out of wood has captivated me like this. The finish was far more better than I expected it to be.

After plugging them in, I went on to test with my favorite set of songs. The first was Riddle of Steel from Conan (original) OST, which is a fairly complex song. The speakers were upto the task, the vocals were vivid enough without distorting or toning down any of the instruments in the background. Heck, I heard a harp that I never knew was there at 3:36 of the song. Next up was Vivaldi's Summer allegro from Four Seasons. This is from a Tel-arc 1980s recording that I scourged for cheap (used) from Amazon. The recording is top notch being Tel-arc and the E5Tis surprised me by how life like the violins sound. I could easily close my ears and imagine the entire ensemble performing in front of me. Most of the credit should go to the recording, but the speakers handled it with grace without being over the top.

Next on was Dimmu Borgir's Abrahadabra. This isn't their best work of course, but is a good test for speakers since it's got death growls, 100 bpm drums, and a full orchestra in the background. I started with Xibir and was impressed with how I noticed a bass (the violin type) in the background in Born Treacherous that I hadn't before. I sat on listening, and realized that I've been through more than 30 minutes of the album only when I noticed that Demiurge Molecule was playing. The sound was too good that I was just drawn into the music and forgot to move along with the other test songs I had in mind.

Since I had the EMPs on B, and the Polks on A, I could easily go back switch both and compare the two easily. Overall, if I had to rate them side by side, I think the polk may win on the sound stage. I am ready to live with that, because the sound from the EMPs are far more neutral, sort of laid back with better instrument separation and in my opinion has a grandeur that the M50s just don't have. I am not an audio reviewer in any sense, and I am really struggling to describe the tonal characteristics. It's one of those things I can feel, but I am not able to describe. It's somewhat warm and very enduring. So yes, the EMPs win hands down - you could do a double blind test with average Joe and I bet he'll be able to point out that the EMPs are a step up from the M50s. I found the Polks are slightly in your face when compared to the EMPs. I hate it, but some of you might find that appealing. My headphones still have better sound separation, but I don't feel like I am losing out on clarity with these speakers.

Since they're hardly broken in, I am guessing the better part from these speakers are yet to come. Seriously though, for all those of you that have 300 to spare, I'll highly suggest that you try a pair of these. At the worst, you'll be left with fabulously good furniture in the house. I was pleasantly surprised by these pair of speakers, and can't imagine getting better value for my budget. What a nice way to start the weekend! Now I am off to deal with newegg for returning the Polks.

I am glad you took my advice. For the b stock price these speakers are a steal.