Polk Signature series.

mantis

Hello everyone,
I was checking out the polk site and noticed that the lines are thinned and it seems the mid level speaker now is the Signature series. I also noticed the price points are basically around the RT line was years ago but not really.

How is this line doing? Who owns them and how to they compare to the previous Rt line?

The RT line has been around for so long , I'm a bit sad to see if fall away. They don't really have a solid line in that price range anymore it seems or do these fill that gap? Are they better than the current Monitor line?

Also the LSIM line is also gone right? Or is there a new LSI something coming? Curious where polk sits these days.

VR3

Signature is mid, legend is top

JayDog

mantis wrote: »

Hello everyone,
The RT line has been around for so long , I'm a bit sad to see if fall away.

I am with you on missing the RTI line, there is some Awesome deals right now, if look around, Crutchfield is selling that beast Center Channel the CSiA6 CH RTi-A for $149 with real wood veneer on Ebay, I think I paid twice that when I bought mine and still thought it was a bargain. I have allot of good movie watching with this speaker line also bro!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-CSiA6-CH-RTi-A-series-center-channel-spkr/193177983208?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

DaveHo

I currently have Sig 55s and have had Sig 15s in the past. I think they are solid contenders with enough sparkle for HT, but not so obnoxious as to be unlistenable for music. They are truly a great all around speaker.

DaveHo

Btw, I use them in a bedroom music only setup. No critical listening, but quite satisfying.

motorhead43026

I have a pair of S60’s a decent speaker for music, as that’s all I used these for.

In storage at the moment.

JayDog

I guess with me having a long time audio gear addiction and buying several make/model gear for over 30yrs. I have learned to see speakers good points and ignore there weak ones.

So many people say the RTI line is really bright, I don't think that it sounds that bad imo, Its how that draws attention to itself and destroys the RTI line imaging capability or lack there of, that disappointed me back in the day with the RTI line.

I can still remember old school Klipsch, JBL and Cerwin Vega's that were truly ear splitting fun. I must be immune to its rise at the top end. With its good looks and HT memories I am sorry to see it go also. I agree the Sig series is a good speaker as well.

Coralinus

I own polk S55, S15 surrounds, and an s30 center. I also run a sub crossed at 80 hrz. Its a music only system and I really love it. Music just sounds so great. I can't speak to the RTIs myself because I never heard them.

TopperDude

Currently the Polk lines from entry-level to flagship are as follows:

- T-Series
- Signature Series
- RtiA Series
- Legend Series <-- these replaced the old LSiM range

From the limited inside-info i have, this is going to be a big year for Polk . Very excited .

pitdogg2

JayDog wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

Hello everyone,
The RT line has been around for so long , I'm a bit sad to see if fall away.

I am with you on missing the RTI line, there is some Awesome deals right now, if look around, Crutchfield is selling that beast Center Channel the CSiA6 CH RTi-A for $149 with real wood veneer on Ebay, I think I paid twice that when I bought mine and still thought it was a bargain. I have allot of good movie watching with this speaker line also bro!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-CSiA6-CH-RTi-A-series-center-channel-spkr/193177983208?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&amp;_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Wondering how that would match up with my RT55i? I'm using a cs350 now. The cherry would match my RT 55i as they are also cherry or close proximity to cherry.

pitdogg2

Dadburnit I couldn't resist. I bought one and the seller offered 2 day free shipping as well.

JayDog

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Dadburnit I couldn't resist. I bought one and the seller offered 2 day free shipping as well.

You will see and hear why i like that center speaker in 2 days bro, Enjoy!

JayDog

pitdogg2 wrote: »

JayDog wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

Hello everyone,
The RT line has been around for so long , I'm a bit sad to see if fall away.

I am with you on missing the RTI line, there is some Awesome deals right now, if look around, Crutchfield is selling that beast Center Channel the CSiA6 CH RTi-A for $149 with real wood veneer on Ebay, I think I paid twice that when I bought mine and still thought it was a bargain. I have allot of good movie watching with this speaker line also bro!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-CSiA6-CH-RTi-A-series-center-channel-spkr/193177983208?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&amp;_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Wondering how that would match up with my RT55i? I'm using a cs350 now. The cherry would match my RT 55i as they are also cherry or close proximity to cherry.

It will look fine, but its hard to exact match any vinyl with real wood veneer like the CSIA6 center has, The real cherry looks awesome and will age much better then Vinyl..

pitdogg2

Sound man sound..... personally I didn't care if all they had was black. My cs350 is black or close to it.

halo

Looks like a pair of the S60’s is $900. I had them for a while and I was quite happy with them. Very good sounding speakers for the price. They dig deep.

However, if you’re going to be running a sub with them in a 2-channel or 2-channel/HT hybrid setup, spending just a little more will get you the Wharfedale EVO 4.2 stand mount speakers and these are phenomenal.

If your sub is picking up the low frequencies anyway, the deeper bass the S60 features is a moot point. That said, the bass response is surprisingly deep on the stand-mount EVO 4.2 without the sub.

The fit and finish on both speakers is very good but the EVO 4.2 gets the nod for “better” between the two.

BigA524

I had the Rti10s going for 15 years powered by emotiva xpa3 for 10 years along with a polk 10in sub. I had my 2ch sound where I wanted.

Last month I decided to get something newer and was researching between the 55s and 60s. I went with the 55s as some said that with my sub it wouldn't matter. After about 2 weeks I returned the 55s. There was something missing on the low end and they really didn't have the big/full sound. I bought the 60s and that sound returned.
If you have the room I would go with the 60s for sure.

mrloren

I had the RTi-8 great for HT but no so much on my 80's hair metal. I did what I could to warm them up, it worked to a point.

Went from RTi-8 so S60 wow music was a lot better and movies did not drop much. Gained a lot in music and lost a little in movies well worth it.

Now I have LSiM-705 I'm not looking for anything

My bedroom HT is S20-S30 and like it. S20's are a nice speaker.

mantis

BigA524 wrote: »

I had the Rti10s going for 15 years powered by emotiva xpa3 for 10 years along with a polk 10in sub. I had my 2ch sound where I wanted.

Last month I decided to get something newer and was researching between the 55s and 60s. I went with the 55s as some said that with my sub it wouldn't matter. After about 2 weeks I returned the 55s. There was something missing on the low end and they really didn't have the big/full sound. I bought the 60s and that sound returned.
If you have the room I would go with the 60s for sure.

Since you both RT and Signature , is the Signature a better sounding line? Not for deep bass extension I could care less about that but for mid range and top end?
I think if you integrated your subwoofer better you will release that full range tower designed speakers fall short when playing below 100hz. Usually the case isn't with the speakers ability but placement in your room. A subwoofer can be moved and be setup to take care of whatever crossover you want it has and place it in the room so it sounds at your listening area the best. Separating the bass from the main channel speakers even for 2 channel will 1 free up power of the amp to make the tweeter and mid bass sing and it sound clearer.

mantis

mrloren wrote: »

I had the RTi-8 great for HT but no so much on my 80's hair metal. I did what I could to warm them up, it worked to a point.

Went from RTi-8 so S60 wow music was a lot better and movies did not drop much. Gained a lot in music and lost a little in movies well worth it.

Now I have LSiM-705 I'm not looking for anything

My bedroom HT is S20-S30 and like it. S20's are a nice speaker.

So the Signature line is basically a upgrade in sound quality vs the Rt line? I haven't heard the Signature line so I have no idea other then they are priced a bit lower and in some cases on par with what the Rt line was. I was trying to figure out if they where a replacement line of the Rt since that line is gone.

rooftop59

mantis wrote: »

mrloren wrote: »

I had the RTi-8 great for HT but no so much on my 80's hair metal. I did what I could to warm them up, it worked to a point.

Went from RTi-8 so S60 wow music was a lot better and movies did not drop much. Gained a lot in music and lost a little in movies well worth it.

Now I have LSiM-705 I'm not looking for anything

My bedroom HT is S20-S30 and like it. S20's are a nice speaker.

So the Signature line is basically a upgrade in sound quality vs the Rt line? I haven't heard the Signature line so I have no idea other then they are priced a bit lower and in some cases on par with what the Rt line was. I was trying to figure out if they where a replacement line of the Rt since that line is gone.

Polk streamlined the speaker lines:

1. Good - t series
2. Better - sig series
3. Best - LSiM now Legend series

Sig basically took the place of the TXi and RTi series. Not quite as good build quality as the RTi, but most people agree slightly better sound overall...

mrloren

mantis wrote: »

mrloren wrote: »

I had the RTi-8 great for HT but no so much on my 80's hair metal. I did what I could to warm them up, it worked to a point.

Went from RTi-8 so S60 wow music was a lot better and movies did not drop much. Gained a lot in music and lost a little in movies well worth it.

Now I have LSiM-705 I'm not looking for anything

My bedroom HT is S20-S30 and like it. S20's are a nice speaker.

So the Signature line is basically a upgrade in sound quality vs the Rt line? I haven't heard the Signature line so I have no idea other then they are priced a bit lower and in some cases on par with what the Rt line was. I was trying to figure out if they where a replacement line of the Rt since that line is gone.

RT line is more Home Theater RT= reference theater. if you are only using them for HT and maybe a little music then they would be the way to go

I find the signatures to be more an all around Jack of all trades speaker.

vid33nyc1

Sup guys, I just bought the s30, 2 pair of s15 and the brand new svs PB 1000 pro.I am looking to get either the s55 or s60 for my fronts. Does it make sense to get the s60 over the s55 if I have a dedicated sub?Will be used mainly for HT use.

MikeUp

vid33nyc1 wrote: »

Sup guys, I just bought the s30, 2 pair of s15 and the brand new svs PB 1000 pro.I am looking to get either the s55 or s60 for my fronts. Does it make sense to get the s60 over the s55 if I have a dedicated sub?Will be used mainly for HT use.

I had tower speakers before but have a Velodyne sub that sounds really good. I wasn't using the low bass of the tower speakers. Well those tower speakers bit the dust so placed some bookshelf speakers I had of the same line that I used to use as surround speakers. The towers had 1 6-1/2" woofer with a down firing power port. The bookshelf has 1 5-1/2" woofer with a rear firing port. I haven't lost anything and if nothing else, the bookshelf speakers better match the center channel speaker that shares the same drivers.

My bookshelf speakers on their heavy glass stands are actually more stable than the previous tower speakers. The reason they bit the dust is that they kept getting knocked over by animals and kids.

I have my surround and surround back speakers mounted to the wall and have made sure that the main channel bookshelf speakers can't be knocked over. Their very heavy stands make a world of difference over the light wood or pedestal stands I've had in the past.

I was just listening to crutchfields audio compare app and now have headphones that are on their list. The S50 sound great as well and have some great bass output for their driver sizes. The signature series puts out much better bass for the same size woofer and number of woofers, than the RTI or TSI speaker series.

Myself, I just bought some Polk TSI 100 speakers and the CS10 center channel to match. I thought about the TSI 300 or TSI 400 but why, when my sub will cover all the bass and I'm only losing a decibel or 2 in overall volume. With the crutchfield app, the TSI 200 didn't sound any better than the TSI 100 except for bass.

mantis

vid33nyc1 wrote: »

Sup guys, I just bought the s30, 2 pair of s15 and the brand new svs PB 1000 pro.I am looking to get either the s55 or s60 for my fronts. Does it make sense to get the s60 over the s55 if I have a dedicated sub?Will be used mainly for HT use.

I think you should either get the S55 Floor Standing or S20 Bookshelf speaker with a nice pair of Stands. The reason you don' need the S60 is your gonna want to run them in small anyway. Trying to get the low end out of your main channel or any channel speaker in a home theater setup is usually never a good thing. To many people get wrapped up in the ability of the speaker and don't think about over all system performance. The only advantage I see going with a floor standing speaker is basically a built in speaker stand. The S60 however is a few inches taller which can be nice for tweeter placement in the room but that can be easily fixed with proper tilt back on the main channel speakers to have the tweeter fire more in line with your ears when sitting. I'd save the money and get the S55 if you want a floor standing speaker.

I think adding another PB1000 Pro is a excellent idea for more even coverage in your system.

rooftop59

mantis wrote: »

vid33nyc1 wrote: »

Sup guys, I just bought the s30, 2 pair of s15 and the brand new svs PB 1000 pro.I am looking to get either the s55 or s60 for my fronts. Does it make sense to get the s60 over the s55 if I have a dedicated sub?Will be used mainly for HT use.

I think you should either get the S55 Floor Standing or S20 Bookshelf speaker with a nice pair of Stands. The reason you don' need the S60 is your gonna want to run them in small anyway. Trying to get the low end out of your main channel or any channel speaker in a home theater setup is usually never a good thing. To many people get wrapped up in the ability of the speaker and don't think about over all system performance. The only advantage I see going with a floor standing speaker is basically a built in speaker stand. The S60 however is a few inches taller which can be nice for tweeter placement in the room but that can be easily fixed with proper tilt back on the main channel speakers to have the tweeter fire more in line with your ears when sitting. I'd save the money and get the S55 if you want a floor standing speaker.

I think adding another PB1000 Pro is a excellent idea for more even coverage in your system.

On the one had you should probably listen to Dan since he has set up a LOT more theaters than I have. But I am a big believer in full range speakers whenever possible. I mean look at Dolby or DTS's demo rooms. They don't run monitors crossed over at 80hz, they run 5-7 of the same, full-range speakers plus the LFE channel which is ONLY for LFE. That is the ideal setup. So, if you can swing the 60s and run them full range, that is what i would do. I'll never forget when I ran my center channel (cs400i) through an 8 inch sub, so the center could be set to large. Opening scene of the Dark Knight, that little center sub was POUNDING. When they mixed the track, they didn't do it with the expectation that you would route extra low frequencies through the SUB, they expect that center and mains to be full range. And it sounds awesome if you can swing it...just my two cents.

mantis

rooftop59 wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

vid33nyc1 wrote: »

Sup guys, I just bought the s30, 2 pair of s15 and the brand new svs PB 1000 pro.I am looking to get either the s55 or s60 for my fronts. Does it make sense to get the s60 over the s55 if I have a dedicated sub?Will be used mainly for HT use.

I think you should either get the S55 Floor Standing or S20 Bookshelf speaker with a nice pair of Stands. The reason you don' need the S60 is your gonna want to run them in small anyway. Trying to get the low end out of your main channel or any channel speaker in a home theater setup is usually never a good thing. To many people get wrapped up in the ability of the speaker and don't think about over all system performance. The only advantage I see going with a floor standing speaker is basically a built in speaker stand. The S60 however is a few inches taller which can be nice for tweeter placement in the room but that can be easily fixed with proper tilt back on the main channel speakers to have the tweeter fire more in line with your ears when sitting. I'd save the money and get the S55 if you want a floor standing speaker.

I think adding another PB1000 Pro is a excellent idea for more even coverage in your system.

On the one had you should probably listen to Dan since he has set up a LOT more theaters than I have. But I am a big believer in full range speakers whenever possible. I mean look at Dolby or DTS's demo rooms. They don't run monitors crossed over at 80hz, they run 5-7 of the same, full-range speakers plus the LFE channel which is ONLY for LFE. That is the ideal setup. So, if you can swing the 60s and run them full range, that is what i would do. I'll never forget when I ran my center channel (cs400i) through an 8 inch sub, so the center could be set to large. Opening scene of the Dark Knight, that little center sub was POUNDING. When they mixed the track, they didn't do it with the expectation that you would route extra low frequencies through the SUB, they expect that center and mains to be full range. And it sounds awesome if you can swing it...just my two cents.

This is what gets most people in a range place. As in your theory I do agree with you, having all full range channels and a dedicated LFE Subwoofer would be the perfect system BUT the biggest missing piece here is the room. People really don't understand how much the room dictates the bass output in the room. It starts really around 200hz and down. This is where the room really influences the overall bass experience.
So honestly all channels in your smaller Theater , Media or Family Room can even be set to 120-150 and allow 2 or more subwoofer handle the lower end. Not just because a subwoofer can do the heavy lifting better than a boxed speaker but because more so of placement.

Once you experience a properly calibrated properly placed Home Theater setup , it's difficult to go back to this old way of thinking. Trust me I wore those shoes, fought tooth and tail until I learned and experienced it for myself.

Even a 2 channel setup with awesome flow standing speakers can't re creat proper bass in a room better than 2 dedicated subwoofers properly placed and integrated/ calibrated.

vid33nyc1

Thanks for the input guys. I am leaning toward the s55 over the s60. And maybe an emotiva 2 channel amp to go with it.

vid33nyc1

S55 on sale today $279.99 at BB, Amazon and ABT.

Clipdat

That's a great deal. $560/pair w/ free shipping!

This is a good time to be a music lover!

Clipdat

vid33nyc1 wrote: »

Thanks for the input guys. I am leaning toward the s55 over the s60. And maybe an emotiva 2 channel amp to go with it.

I'd go for Parasound over Emotiva if you can spring it, trust me it'll be worth it.

vid33nyc1

Clipdat wrote: »

vid33nyc1 wrote: »

Thanks for the input guys. I am leaning toward the s55 over the s60. And maybe an emotiva 2 channel amp to go with it.

I'd go for Parasound over Emotiva if you can spring it, trust me it'll be worth it.

Thanks for the heads up.I will look into it. The s55 are on the way