A "legendary" offer for forum members only

Hermitism

FYI: The Labor Day sale has ended.

JayCee

Old Legend meets the new Legend. As I unboxed the L800's and listened to the 3.1tl's...I swear the 3.1's started to sound better by the minute. Kind of think they were sweating bullets and upping their game in a last minute attempt to keep their job.

mdaudioguy

Hermitism wrote: »

FYI: The Labor Day sale has ended.

I hadn't been tracking Polk's pricing, and thus didn't realize the discount was a Labor Day sale. I thought I had until the end of the month to take advantage of the Legendary offer, and I actually still do, just not at those sale prices... A classic case of when you snooze, you lose. My code is available, should anyone want it.

Mike Reeter

Great pictorial JayCee! I'll be anxious to hear your comments

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Hermitism wrote: »

FYI: The Labor Day sale has ended.

I hadn't been tracking Polk's pricing, and thus didn't realize the discount was a Labor Day sale. I thought I had until the end of the month to take advantage of the Legendary offer, and I actually still do, just not at those sale prices... A classic case of when you snooze, you lose. My code is available, should anyone want it.

I've been waiting for those with new L800's to chime in with their impressions, and I didn't realize that the Sale pricing had expired until I checked last evening.

I was actually adding a pair to the cart when I noticed this. I'm backing out and also have a Discount Code if anyone might be interested, just shoot me a p.m. and I'll pass it along.

BlueBirdMusic

Outstanding JayCee!

Hermitism

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Hermitism wrote: »

FYI: The Labor Day sale has ended.

I hadn't been tracking Polk's pricing, and thus didn't realize the discount was a Labor Day sale. I thought I had until the end of the month to take advantage of the Legendary offer, and I actually still do, just not at those sale prices... A classic case of when you snooze, you lose. My code is available, should anyone want it.

My understanding is the sale and code could be used together for a greater discount, but the code is good through the end of September.

monepolk

Since missing the sale, I also now have a code available.

Milito

I thought it ended at the end of the month as far as the code is concerned.

Hermitism

Intro To Sales & Discounts 101
No Text Books Required.

There was a sale. It was for forum and non-forum members. It was for everyone. It just ended.

There is a discount code. It's good through the end of the month. It was for the first 50 forum members that responded to the promotion. Again, it's good through the end of September.

As of yesterday, the discount code can be applied to the regular price of the speakers. The code still works. The code is good until the end of the month. It's for forum members only.

Before yesterday, the code could be applied to the sale price of the speakers. The sale is no longer. The code is still valid. The code can no longer be applied to the sale price because they are no longer on sale.

We need a list of members, members that were member when this promo was announced, that still need a code. I have one that I will not be using. This is not for someone reading this and joins the forum just for the code.

Hermitism

Intro To Leaving A Review 101

If you take advantage of the code. The code that is still valid, The code that is not a sale, but a code, you are supposed to leave a review on Polk's website, not forum. You can leave a review on the forum, and wish you would, but you still have to leave a review on their website. It's the only thing they have asked in return for the code. Not the sale. That is no longer.

JayCee

Mike Reeter wrote: »

Great pictorial JayCee! I'll be anxious to hear your comments

BlueBirdMusic wrote: »

Outstanding JayCee!

Thanks guys.

I have about 10 hrs of listening on them. Anyone that was part of the L200 demo will be familiar w/the sound signature. Anyone not familiar, I encourage you to read the thread if you're looking to purchase any Legend speaker. Generally speaking, the L800's don't deviate from those reviews and what to expect...except it's bigger and badder (in a good way)....and SDA!

Still doing the "speaker walk" but first impressions are a more rounded SDA using modern drivers. I knew what to expect w/respect to the sonic signature (L200 demo) in a traditional boxed speaker design, so, w/respect to SDA was a much deeper soundstage. Not that vintage SDA's don't have this but it's a standout baseline improvement, to my ears. I reserve the right to change my impressions however, first blush, this is a mature and more refined SDA. Doesn't seem to be that overly SDAish uber wide signature of vintage models (it's still there but filled out ie, better depth) and has the ability to be very modern vs. traditional speaker technology w/the added "dimmensional" quality we Polkies love. I have no doubt, if properly setup and a virgin customer auditions these, they'd be very impressed.

I owe Polk and the website vs. forum a customer oriented review but to help anyone on the fence w/respect to the discount and time remaining to use said discount, here are, IMO, the positives and general comments. Too early for negatives and speculation.

Positives:

• SDA (duh)
• Vocals, especially female, clear and defined
• Piano....much more realistic vs vintage
• More crunch to electric guitar
• Acoustic/woodwind instruments are realistic
• Percussion is accurate and has that sizzle

Comments:
@Mike Reeter, apologies because I know this was important to you but, as a result of my gear living in the basement, I've not been able to move the speakers far into the room. Cable is routed through the floor and the lengths prevent this. The max I've tried is 10" off the wall. Still trying to dial in the bass via the speaker walk but found they do better closer to the wall than farther out. I used the 6-8" recommendation for older SDA's as my starting point and as of this post have them 5". Owner's manual still recommends, as it did in the 80's, closer to the wall for bass output. In fact, same rules apply with the triangular measurements and seated position. I don't have the recommended 3' from corners (see pics I posted earlier in the thread) but haven't had problems w/the powerport bass corner loading and/or SDA width. Still get instruments outside (L/R) of the boundaries. I'd classify the living room as bright...but I have leather furniture and lots of angles to break up boundaries. Speakers are approx. 10' center-to-center and listening position is 12' away.

Another observation, this is a much more forward and detailed speaker vs vintage. Not a negative but don't expect the Legend line to be the laid back 80's sound of yore. It's not.

Gear feeding the 800's: Roon Rock streaming to Google Cast device and feeding an Oppo BDP-105. I use the 105 as a pre and it's connected via un-balanced IC's to a heavily modded (by Big Sky Audio) Parasound HCA-1500A. Cables and IC's are all MIT S3. I've used this setup to run CRStl's, 3.1tl's,1.2tl's, 705's and L200's. All the vintage heavily modded.

One bummer. I have much better gear in my 1.2tl 2 channel rig. Complete PS Audio stack and it's in a different league compared to the Parasound setup. Unfortunately, the L800's don't play nice w/fully balanced gear. My BHK stack is just that. I knew this when I purchased the 800's and it's my one disappointment but I didn't purchase them to replace the 1.2's. So, I won't be able to do a head-to-head shootout. Very unlikely, I may swap out the Parasound 1500 w/the BHK 250 but it'd involve 2 flights of stairs and heavy lifting. Also, a brief pause for a tangent...I have another set of speakers in storage that are in a different stratosphere and will ultimately be in my 2 channel rig. That's a story for a later date.

I'll wade into controversial waters but please, please, please! do not run this thread off the rails. Just a data point and my ears/gear. Has to do w/the observations from Skip's get together and the phase issue. One of the songs mentioned was by Angus and Juliet Stone. Hadn't heard of them and after looking up the album referenced at the get together I listened to it on YouTube. Loved it so much, bought it, and the Stone's entire collection. To wit, I haven't heard anything phasey on that album (or others) and I'm listening to it this very second.

Last comment. To anyone not considering a purchase because the sale prices are over. I'd decided to purchase the L800's before I even knew the discount applied to the sale price. Only discovered it when I went to purchase. As mentioned before, kind of poor etiquette to discuss details of an invitation only discount, but I'd venture to say you won't find this opportunity anytime soon. Even w/the Friends and Family discounts on the 705's I purchased years ago, if memory serves, there wasn't the same price break?? Not that a few hundred dollars is trivial...consider this, it's still a h e l l of a deal. Thinking out loud and not to look a gift horse in the mouth, there are a few Polk execs that have posted in this thread. As a result of some confusion....a respectful PM or email asking if they'd offer the sale price isn't out of line. All they can do is say no.

Milito

I plan on leaving a review on the Polk site after I've had them for 3 - 4 weeks.

Emlyn

Milito wrote: »

I plan on leaving a review on the Polk site after I've had them for 3 - 4 weeks.

Based on my own experience, that's the right thing to do with the Legends.

Mike Reeter

JayCee, Thank you for the excellent post on your impressions of the L800's. It's good to hear that they provide a little deeper stage than the originals, even at the close proximity to the wall.

I'm still contemplating whether I'll take the plunge or not, my 2.3TL's are sounding soo good with a few recent changes, that I'm hesitant. I'm not big into HT, so the L800 would be strictly for 2 Channel.

My wife and I will be moving to a different home in the future and I keep telling myself to wait and see what kind of room I end up with...but, like you say, this pricing may never be here again.

verb

Milito wrote: »

I plan on leaving a review on the Polk site after I've had them for 3 - 4 weeks.

Sounds good to me, I'll plan to do the same!

simm

I got my order in today but I have to wait for some help to get them upstairs. In my mind I’m still in my 20’s but when I tried to do it alone I quickly remembered I was in my 50’s. Those L800’s are some heavy and bulky boxes. I did get them from the garage to the stairs inside. Hopefully I can round up some help in the next couple of days.

kevhed72

So between last night and now I only have about 4 hours listening in across a variety of music on shiny silver discs, including Aaron Copeland, Freddie Hubbard, Melody's Echo Chamber, and currently the B-52s first release. At this point....I am floored with this purchase and the L200s imaging in a medium room w a REL T5 sub. These also seem to be an excellent choice for lower level listening and I have no desire to turn past 8:45 on the volume dial of my MF A3.2. Just a taste...more to come w pics this weekend. If you have a code and trying to decide if you should use it...use it.

txcoastal1

Great job JayCee, and is going to be a tough act to follow. Really felt that "your place is mine feeling."
Congrats on your new speakers.

I will honor and post a review, it will just take a awhile to complete the re-vamp of my HT. Very excited!!

JayCee

Mike Reeter wrote: »

JayCee, Thank you for the excellent post on your impressions of the L800's. It's good to hear that they provide a little deeper stage than the originals, even at the close proximity to the wall.

I'm still contemplating whether I'll take the plunge or not, my 2.3TL's are sounding soo good with a few recent changes, that I'm hesitant. I'm not big into HT, so the L800 would be strictly for 2 Channel.

My wife and I will be moving to a different home in the future and I keep telling myself to wait and see what kind of room I end up with...but, like you say, this pricing may never be here again.

Thanks, wasn't looking to do any type of review but, as per my usual, it went long. My pleasure and hope it helps.

The 2.3's are the only SRS's I haven't heard. I'm not a big HT guy, either, and it's strictly a 2.1 setup. I have an Epik dual 15" sub that I haven't turned on. I'm 95% sure I dialed in the SDA portion of the 800's but the bass was just not coming through. Since my last post I decided to go with my gut, removed the footers from the spikes and place them on Myspike(sp?) brass spike disks. Good gawd...the bass showed up and tightened up the midrange!! I knew it'd get better without the footers, as all my speakers are spiked, but needed them to do the shuffle. Anyone with floorstander Legends, remove the footers and go spikes sooner than later. The footers are spongy; you can really feel it when you push the towers and they are holding back even more goodness.

I know what you mean re. upgrades on the vintage stuff. My 1.2tl's are really stellar after recent upgrades. Like you, there's another house in our future and #1 priority, for me, is a very good listening area and a secondary area for HT with the intention of hosting grandkids, etc. One thing you might consider is the level of detail that comes through with the Pinnacle tweeter and Turbine cones. The SRS's are warm and comfortable and capable of detail with really good gear + mods. But, and it's a big BUT, they don't have this level of detail. I think it's the selling point if it interests you. Not trying to sell you on them one way or another but believe it's the biggest difference.

I've said for years I'd be all over a modern SDA w/advanced drivers. Had to put my money where my mouth is.

simm wrote: »

I got my order in today but I have to wait for some help to get them upstairs. In my mind I’m still in my 20’s but when I tried to do it alone I quickly remembered I was in my 50’s. Those L800’s are some heavy and bulky boxes. I did get them from the garage to the stairs inside. Hopefully I can round up some help in the next couple of days.

I had to muscle mine up 4 stairs from the backyard to the house using the hand cart. I'm mid 50's, too, and probably should've used help. Thrown my back out once, years ago, and you'd think I'd have learned! Get to rounding those folks up!!

Milito

I'll have to try removing the footers in the next few days.

The tweeters are much better than the LSiM tweeters IMO, that's what I have noticed the most along with more bass on the L600's.

Emlyn

JayCee wrote: »

One thing you might consider is the level of detail that comes through with the Pinnacle tweeter and Turbine cones. The SRS's are warm and comfortable and capable of detail with really good gear + mods. But, and it's a big BUT, they don't have this level of detail. I think it's the selling point if it interests you. Not trying to sell you on them one way or another but believe it's the biggest difference.

I've said for years I'd be all over a modern SDA w/advanced drivers. Had to put my money where my mouth is.

This is exactly my observation on the L800s as well. All of the SDA speakers I've experienced have been really fun to listen to. The L800s to me have a more modern, punchy, sound to them. The older SDAs are very smooth and elegant sounding. All are enveloping.

I would also note that original SDA speakers must be upgraded in some way, at the very least with the original tweeters replaced with the RD0 versions, to even be worth keeping. At least to my ears.

smglbrth

Milito wrote: »

I'll have to try removing the footers in the next few days.

The tweeters are much better than the LSiM tweeters IMO, that's what I have noticed the most along with more bass on the L600's.

Oh yes, same thing I experienced with my Reserves. Let the spikes come out on a hard floor/surface! JayCee - Nice mini review BTW. The two lines do indeed share many common traits.

JayCee

As I've said before, WAF is not a big deal in my house but she's not down with captive time in the sweet spot. You won't get an opinion on how the speakers sound, however, here are her thoughts on the looks of the L800's vs the 3.1tl's that just migrated to storage and will be gifted to my son & DIL:

1. Didn't dislike the 3.1's but prefers the 800's
2. Although similar in size, not as big (good)
3. Modern aesthetics
4. Prefers the walnut veneer vs oak, "nice"
5. Regarding the driver configuration, "they look permanently surprised"

She helped choose the walnut, so to continue including her in the new purchase I gave her the honor of removing the protective film on the Polk emblems. A satisfying ritual with any new gear purchase:

Considering the Legend line is the swan song for Stu Lumsden, last of the Polk old guard, would've been nice to have a Legend/Stu Lumsden signature badge in the same vain as the Matthew Polk plate on the original SRS line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-AqdDAnuN4

pitdogg2

That Stu badge would have been a nice touch.

Mike Reeter

JayCee wrote: »

As I've said before, WAF is not a big deal in my house but she's not down with captive time in the sweet spot. You won't get an opinion on how the speakers sound, however, here are her thoughts on the looks of the L800's vs the 3.1tl's that just migrated to storage and will be gifted to my son & DIL:

1. Didn't dislike the 3.1's but prefers the 800's
2. Although similar in size, not as big (good)
3. Modern aesthetics
4. Prefers the walnut veneer vs oak, "nice"
5. Regarding the driver configuration, "they look permanently surprised"

She helped choose the walnut, so to continue including her in the new purchase I gave her the honor of removing the protective film on the Polk emblems. A satisfying ritual with any new gear purchase

JayCee, awesome that your wife is onboard For the L800's to relegate the modded 3.1TL's into storage is saying something, been listening to mine most of the day and they never disappoint.

F1nut

I've heard the L800. I'll take my modded 2.3TL's every day and twice on Sunday.

simm

I got the L800’s upstairs Tuesday night even though I didn’t have any help. They are some heavy speakers!! My first comment has to do with the packaging- it is so much better than that used for the LSiM’s. Not only did it hold up better in shipping but it was easier to get the speakers out of the box. I did a quick setup just to hear a little music before bed. Initial thought right out of the box is that I like the way these sound. The highs are better than what I heard on the 705’s and the bass was punchier and deeper. I have a lot of experimenting to do with placement to get these at their best. I think I am going to be happy with these. I’m going to spend some time these weekend getting them dialed in and setting up the L400 and Installing the L900’s. Here is some low quality pics I took of the unboxing. Quality is not great as room is fairly dark and I used my iPad. Will try to get better pics this weekend.

woodhead 2

I have Emotiva XPA 7. Will 200 watts be enough to drive the 800's?

Emlyn

woodhead 2 wrote: »

I have Emotiva XPA 7. Will 200 watts be enough to drive the 800's?

Short answer is yes. That amp would have north of 400 watts per channel available to the L800s when in stereo only mode. You may want to check with Emotiva on whether the modular design of the amp may be an issue for the SDA function. I suspect it’ll be fine since the amp does not seem to be a differential amp.

woodhead 2

Thank you.