Please Recommend a Polk Floorstanding Speaker For 2.0 Music Setup

BigHats
BigHats Posts: 3
edited July 2014 in Speakers
Hello everyone,

I'm interested in putting together a living room 2.0 setup. I do not care about how movies or TV sound - my only concern is stereo music. I've used bookshelves for smaller-room applications in the past, but for this project I've decided I want to try floorstanding speakers.

I do not want a sub - so the lower the floorstanding speaker can go the better. I've seen great deals on the Monitor 70 II series on Polk's eBay storefront (brand new, unopened). I would love to pull the trigger on those or a similar model, but I can't seem to find an affordable way to power the speakers.

I have yet to purchase a receiver / amp - so any suggestions there are welcome as well. I'm leaning towards the Onkyo 8050 which is 80 watts per channel and has a wealth of interesting networking / streaming capabilities. I don't know much about receivers so if that is an absolute abomination in your opinion I'm open to suggestions but I don't want to spend more than ~$300 USD on the power source.

My fear is that I can't have my cake and eat it too. If I want larger floorstanding speakers that don't need a sub for most music do I need to buy a cost prohibitive power source? Or another way to word this - if I want to use an affordable power source am I limited to speakers that won't fill a living room with any more impact than a humble bookshelf speaker would?

Can anyone suggest a Polk floorstanding speaker that could fill a 15ft x 17ft living room area with warm sound that doesn't require a dedicated (as in not a receiver or integrated amp) power source? Sorry, I don't know all the terminology :)

Can anyone think of a power source + speaker combo that sounds especially nice together and will come in under or around $600-700 USD? I've seen so many posts saying the only way to get "beautiful" sound out of the larger Polk speakers is 200+ watts per channel and I don't want to believe it, even though I have no idea whether it's true or not :)

By the way, I'm not a bass fiend, and I do not listen at tremendously loud volumes at all. I simply want a system that sounds warm at low to medium levels and can fill a decent sized space.

Unfortunately there are no hifi stores nearby that I can physically visit and audition :(

Thanks so much for any input!!
Post edited by BigHats on
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Comments

  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited July 2014
    You can accomplish your task if you are willing to consider vintage gear, you will be hard pressed to do anything better than entry level by going new. A vintage Pioneer or Sansui integrated and a pair of Polk RTA-lltl's would ne a nice setup to start off with.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/products/rta11tl

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-SX-1080-Stereo-Receiver-120-Watt-Channel-Looks-and-Sounds-Great-/261541517281?pt=US_Stereo_Receivers&hash=item3ce516d7e1

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sansui-AU-7900-Integrated-Amplifier-/281388521975?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item41841019f7

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pioneer-Stereo-Receiver-Model-SX-850-/171376114720?pt=US_Stereo_Receivers&hash=item27e6cffc20
    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
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  • BigHats
    BigHats Posts: 3
    edited July 2014
    I can consider vintage gear, but I'd need a bit of help knowing what to look for. Are you thinking modern speakers but vintage power source? Or vintage speakers as well?

    Thanks!
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited July 2014
    BigHats wrote: »
    I can consider vintage gear, but I'd need a bit of help knowing what to look for. Are you thinking modern speakers but vintage power source? Or vintage speakers as well?

    Thanks!

    I was thinking both... I added some links for you. This is simply a representation, and not necessarily gear I would buy without checking it out first. I do know however that this stuff is pretty good gear even by today's standards. I would be proud to have any of them in my sig.
    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
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited July 2014
    I'd vote a pair of RTA-12B or C's, SDA 2B's, or SDA 1C's.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited July 2014
    Nightfall wrote: »
    I'd vote a pair of RTA-12B or C's, SDA 2B's, or SDA 1C's.


    The 1c's would bust his budget for the total package.
    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
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  • BigHats
    BigHats Posts: 3
    edited July 2014
    Thanks nooshinjohn & Nightfall - I'll see if I can find a vintage combo, but frankly I'm not sure if I'm knowledgeable enough to have much success that route (quality inspecting, etc...). Seems as though the consensus is modern gear just doesn't stack up?

    I'm willing to trade a *bit* of sound quality for the convenience of new warranties, etc... but if it's a massive difference in sound quality, or if there is no budget-friendly way to power decent speakers I suppose I'll have no choice but to learn more about vintage gear :)

    Thanks!
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited July 2014
    If you really want a warranty, it's okay to go with a new power source. IMO, though, you cannot do better than than a vintage pair of Polks buying new for the same amount of money. It's no contest.

    What city and state are you in?
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited July 2014
    Welcome to Club Polk!

    I agree with both John and Nightfall above.

    Find yourself some Monitor 7s or 10s (the vintage Polks from a few decades ago) and a nice vintage Yamaha or Marantz with at least 55-60 or more watts per channel (they usually weigh more than 30 lbs). And you'll have one nice sounding two channel on the cheap!

    Get the Monitor 10s or RTA 11, or RTA-12s mentioned above if you want to run without a sub. You're really going to need a lot more power to run SDAs so I'm not including those.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    edited July 2014
    Seems as though the consensus is modern gear just doesn't stack up?

    Modern gear stacks up perfectly, but you're not going to get anything worthwhile at the amount you want to spend.
    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

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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited July 2014
    BigHats wrote: »
    Thanks nooshinjohn & Nightfall - I'll see if I can find a vintage combo, but frankly I'm not sure if I'm knowledgeable enough to have much success that route (quality inspecting, etc...). Seems as though the consensus is modern gear just doesn't stack up?

    I'm willing to trade a *bit* of sound quality for the convenience of new warranties, etc... but if it's a massive difference in sound quality, or if there is no budget-friendly way to power decent speakers I suppose I'll have no choice but to learn more about vintage gear :)

    Thanks!

    Modern gear stacks up very well, but for the stuff that is equal to what Night and I have recommended, you would need to come out of pocket at least 5 times your budget to get there. Take a good look at the Sansui link I gave you. That is a VERY nice piece. Depending on where you are located, nice vintage Polks can pop up on a weekly basis and at very good prices. There is a set of SRS2's here in SoCal for 400 bucks right now. Many here would consider them to be the last speaker they would need to own.

    Hang out and get to know some of the guys. I am certain they can help you get where you want to be.

    Welcome to CP
    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
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited July 2014
    Welcome to CP! I would agree with most of the recommendations, with one caveat, Vintage Gear is an Investment and an Adventure. The Electronics will need TLC, and possible Service if not already done. The Vintage Polks will sound good as they are, providing all the drivers are functioning. If you want them to sound their best, better than when they manufactured, upgrades will be needed. New Tweeters, Crossovers rebuilt, Cabinet modification etc.. These upgrades are cumulative, and don't need to be done all at once. If you're handy with Carpentry, and know how to Solder, you're ahead of the game, otherwise upgrades can be expensive.
    If you're a Bass Junkie, I would recommend the RTA 11T or TLs, 12B/C, and 15TLs, or the entry level SDAs, CRS+s or 2Bs. All can be had for a decent price, and will go deep without the need for a separate Sub for 2 channel.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • Sci-fi Polk Guy
    Sci-fi Polk Guy Posts: 194
    edited July 2014
    These two items just might meet your requirements.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harman-Kardon-HK-3490-2-Channel-120-Watt-Receiver-/231288699575?_trksid=p2054897.l5658

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-Monitor-70-Series-II-BLACK-Tower-Speakers-NEW-PAIR-/360935645667?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item540970e1e3

    There are several great things about the Harmon Kardon HK 3490. First, it will give you 120 strong watts per channel. I own an HK 3385, which is rated at 80wpc, and it is quite strong. Second, if you want more power the 3490 has pre outs to connect an external amp. Third, it fits in your price range. Fourth, it has a phono input.

    Those Monitor 70's are also in your price range. But, for a little bit more money, you might consider the RTi8's.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-RTi8-CHERRY-Tower-Speakers-NEW-PAIR-/390813521028?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5afe4d1484
    Paradigm 11seMkIII mains, w/ Zu Audio jumpers
    Paradigm CC 450 center, w/ Zu Audio jumpers
    Polk Audio RTi6 surrounds
    Paradigm SE sub
    Sony BDP S5100 blu-ray player
    Panasonic 50" plasma
    Yamaha RX A1000 receiver
    Parasound HCA 1205A amp
    Audioquest Evergreen IC's
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