Polk announces new Monitor series, pulling RTi's from Circuit City

fireshoes
fireshoes Posts: 3,167
edited May 2004 in Speakers
http://www.twice.com/article/CA419439.html?display=Breaking+News

Baltimore — Polk’s top-end home, custom-install and car audio lines will get a significant increase in consumer exposure now that the brand is returning to Tweeter after an absence of about a decade.

The company, known largely for speakers, is replacing Boston Acoustics in Tweeter’s home and car audio mix.

Tweeter is taking on Polk’s step-up RTi cabinet speakers, top-end LSi cabinet speakers and RM series of 5.1 sub/sat systems. In custom, Tweeter is taking on the step-up TCi series and top-end LCi series. In car, the chain is picking up top-end Polk/MOMO cobranded speakers and amplifiers. All series are available to Tweeter on a nonexclusive basis.

In a related distribution change, Circuit City will replace Polk’s step-up RTi speaker series with a new entry-level high-value series called Monitor, which is available on a nonexclusive basis and is designed "to work better on a fast sales floor," said Polk’s communications director Paul DiComo. "Tweeter and Circuit City won’t share a lot of products," he added. With the distribution changes, "We’re tailoring our products to fit the strengths of the distribution channels," DiComo said. The changes will also significantly increase exposure for Polk’s top-end LSi cabinet speakers and top-end LCi custom series, he said.

The top-end LSi cabinet speakers have been available mainly through custom installers, select independent specialists, the American TV chain and Crutchfield’s catalog and online store, DiComo pointed out. The top-end custom LCi series has been available only through custom installers and hasn’t been sold by Crutchfield or American. The top-end MOMO series of car speakers and amplifiers has been available through independents, American, Fry’s and Crutchfield.

"In some markets, customers had to drive hours to see our best stuff," DiComo said.

Polk didn’t discuss terms of the Tweeter agreement, including whether the speakers are available to Tweeter on a consignment basis. Tweeter deals with some brands on a consignment basis.

In other developments, Polk:

*plans on opening-price Monitor series will be broader than the R series that it will replace. The R series consists of four speakers topping out at $600/pair. The new Monitor series will be priced higher and will add center channel speakers and subwoofers.

*will completely turn over its RM series of 5.1 sub/sat speaker systems in the fall. Details were unavailable.

*will enter the satellite-radio market in the fall with a dedicated single-zone XM home tuner. Additional details were unavailable.

For Polk, the launch of an XM home tuner will be its latest foray into home electronics, having offered a pair of home theater electronic/speaker packages. The company is phasing out the last of the two.
Post edited by fireshoes on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«13

Comments

  • fireshoes
    fireshoes Posts: 3,167
    edited May 2004
    Well, how about that!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited May 2004
    so it looks like CC is going to be carrying their crap speakers...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited May 2004
    Gee, I can't wait to sell their low-end speaker.... :(
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fireshoes
    fireshoes Posts: 3,167
    edited May 2004
    Found the manual for the Monitor series here.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/downloads/manuals/home/Monitor_Manual.pdf

    All have a 1" cloth tweeter and bilaminate woofers, and are available in black oak or cherry woodgrain.

    Monitor 30 - 5¼" woofer
    Monitor 40 - (2) 5¼" woofers
    Monitor 50 - (2) 5¼" woofers
    Monitor 60 - (3) 5¼" woofers
    Monitor 70 - (4) 6½" woofers
    CS1 - (2) 5¼" woofers
    CS2 - (2) 6½" woofers

    Sound kinda neat to me. It basically sounds like the Monitor series will replace the R series completely and extend up into some of what the RTi's covered, so they should be some decent speakers.

    It sounds like Polk is doing what people here have asked for. Put the special/high-end products in the specialty/independent shops where they can be properly demo'd, but keep their national presence with a quality speaker at CC.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fireshoes
    fireshoes Posts: 3,167
    edited May 2004
    Model names weren't mentioned, but I'm guessing this manual is for the CC subwoofers.

    PSW10 and PSW12.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/downloads/manuals/home/PSW_Manual.pdf

    The subs are avail in cherry too, which is nice.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited May 2004
    that's bad. Tweeter only does bussiness in a few states:(
    Circuit City is better...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited May 2004
    Originally posted by hellotheworld
    that's bad. Tweeter only does bussiness in a few states:(
    Circuit City is better...

    Agreed. I'm in Kansas City area (along with several other polkies). Not a Tweeter in site...
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited May 2004
    No Tweeters in WA!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited May 2004
    Nor in Michigan.
    Make it Funky! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited May 2004
    And there are none in my area either, the higher end stores that I have been to asked about if they would sell Polks (one of them dropped Polk) will not carry them. CC is the only place I can get them. I think that pulling the RTI line might not be a good idea as a whole.

    Dave
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hotwheelman
    hotwheelman Posts: 1,300
    edited May 2004
    No tweeters here, so how does that do anything for us? I would have to drive an at least an hour and a half to the closest dealer in ashville n.c. to demo any of the lsi line.
    "Its worked so far but we're not out yet."
    "Hey big man let me hold a dollar"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited May 2004
    I would guess that for those looking to get into the new polk line they will have those "mad sales" again that CC will be having to unload them, in the end and overall it just doesn't make good sence to me.

    Dave
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2004
    I am glad they decided to bring back the "Monitor" moniker, as it really is a classic Polk association. I won't be buying them, but it's a nice lineup.

    Viva la Monitor! Vintage that is... :D
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pjdami
    pjdami Posts: 1,894
    edited May 2004
    Fireshoes,

    Thanks for sharing. You know any scoop on the LCi in ceiling speakers? I've been waiting for them to show up at Crutchfield but still nothing as the article describes. I am starting to see them on eBay though. I've been wanting to get a pair for some surrounds on my LSi HT setup.

    Paul
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2004
    We saw the prototype LCi In-Ceiling speakers on the Polk Tour, they look real good.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited May 2004
    Originally posted by PolkThug
    Agreed. I'm in Kansas City area (along with several other polkies). Not a Tweeter in site...

    I wonder what a tweeter franchise would cost?

    hmmmmmmm......

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jefft1314
    jefft1314 Posts: 169
    edited May 2004
    I'm with you Polkthug. I'm kind of bummed we won't be carrying at least the rti series anymore. I've got a guy coming in for a pair of rti10's tonight. Looks like I'll be sending more and more people to the high end specialty audio store we have in the region. Of course circuit city is going to be carrying Infinity's Beta series... maybe I'll just have to start selling those instead.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited May 2004
    Originally posted by jefft1314
    Of course circuit city is going to be carrying Infinity's Beta series... maybe I'll just have to start selling those instead.

    That is REALLY gonna suck if the Polk Monitors aren't as good as the Infinity Betas. Currently, I love telling customers that "The Polk Rti's are the best speakers we carry!" I shudder at having to say, "Well, the Infinity's are our best speakers." :(

    Looks like me and Henry are gonna have to open a Tweeter, since it will be impossible to demo Rti's in this big Kansas City area.

    Regards,
    PT
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited May 2004
    Originally posted by PolkThug


    Looks like me and Henry are gonna have to open a Tweeter, since it will be impossible to demo Rti's in this big Kansas City area.

    Regards,
    PT

    I could not find any franchise info on the tweeter site...

    looks like an official inquiry is needed.

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rudy
    Rudy Posts: 13
    edited May 2004
    Darn! No Tweeter in the Detroit area.

    Looking on the bright side: maybe CC will close out the RTi series with some fantastic deals. You guys let me have first dibs around here, OK? :D

    I don't think the new "Monitor" series will be junk though...I'd still rather buy the Polk name in ANY series than anything else in CC's stores.
    -= N =-
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited May 2004
    hard to understand how the polk distribution chain works
    maybe it can make more money through Tweeter...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pjdami
    pjdami Posts: 1,894
    edited May 2004
    I'm very surprised the new RTi line had such a short life. What a year at most?

    Paul
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited May 2004
    Originally posted by pjdami
    I'm very surprised the new RTi line had such a short life. What a year at most?

    Paul

    Paul temper your surprise a bit... the RT line is here to stay:D and my HT is approaching a reference vintage model:p

    1/2Twin
    ***WAREMTAE***
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,774
    edited May 2004
    The RT line and the LSi line are being moved to Tweeter ;)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jefft1314
    jefft1314 Posts: 169
    edited May 2004
    CC has Polks subs going out of production at the moment, so there should be some pretty good specials/open boxes available on those. If (when) we start the clearance on the RTI line and I see a price tag change from .99 to .96 I'll let all of you know. As soon as something goes .96 in the system that item is near the end of its life at circuit city.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited May 2004
    Originally posted by jefft1314
    and I see a price tag change from .99 to .96 I'll let all of you know. As soon as something goes .96 in the system that item is near the end of its life at circuit city.

    cool
    ***WAREMTAE***
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited May 2004
    Someone should start a "sticky" vote post as to weather future buying of Polks will be effected (for, against, doesn't matter for pulling out of CC). I would start one but don't know how. Mabey they would listen to those who buy the products and how they will be effected.

    Just a thought
    Dave
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,774
    edited May 2004
    I think moving to Tweeter is a HUGE step....IMO

    Well maybe I think that, because it can open to the doors for Polk to a higher end market...

    and the fact, I have 2 tweeters within 20 minutes of driving distance...lol

    The PSW12 looks good, 200 watt amp - 26hz

    The Monitor 70 (?) -- looks REAL appealing. That is, if the 4 6.5" woofs are ALL midbasses. I wouldnt mind owning it, as long as they sound good.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited May 2004
    look at the store locations
    http://www.tweeter.com/corp/index.jsp?page=storeLocator

    but how can people buy high-end audio when they can not find a convinient place
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited May 2004
    Simple, shop Audiogon.
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter