L800 Legend, LSIM 707, SRT, RT3000p Which one

polkrt3000p

I am looking to decide to put one set of speakers in my living room. Currently I have a RT1000p with a set of small bookshelf NHT with a Sunfire HTS 10ich sub. I also have a pair of Polk Monitor 5jrs above the kitchen cabinets. I have a pair of SDS SRS 1.2TLs down stairs in the family room, with a set of RT3000p for the rears and 3 CS400 center channels with all Adcom amps and Sunfire Preamps. I like the bass I get from the RT3000p and always loved them, I am also good with the high end on them. I was always admired the SRT but could never afford them. I was thinking if not too big maybe even switching the RT 3000p and get the SRT for downstairs and put the RT3000p upstairs. Issue of course is they are pretty big, maybe the 707 would be smallest for the living room. Not sure if the wife will go for the big speakers. I have heard great things about the Legend l800 but I could find a SRT or RT3000p set a lot cheaper and have more bass. Although the amps are killer and I have have replaced several over the years. Just thinking what direction I should consider. I have not heard the l800, SRT, or LSIM 707 so not sure what to expect.

Toolfan66

At this point it's going to be how fast you want something, and what you can find, all are great but most of it is hard to find, except the the L800's..

polkrt3000p

I have time, just starting to plan ahead, maybe a year or so. No hurry.

nooshinjohn

The Legends are the way to go

polkrt3000p

I have heard great things on the Legends, what makes you pick them over the others, I have heard they have great mids and highs, not sure how much bass to expect, guessing they are more then LSIM707 and maybe more then RT3000p due to size, but having a separate amp built in did free up my Adcom to play the high end loud. I am open to all thoughts and ideas, the Legends do come with a warranty and all my speakers are super old but still sound awesome in my mind though, and willing to take a chance if they are better.

nooshinjohn

https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/195903/life-with-the-legend-l800/p1

Emlyn

My suggestion on the L800s is get them while you still can. Being able to easily put the L900 modules into them seamlessly for modern home theater purposes is a bonus.

polkrt3000p

Love the chime ins, what can expect on the bass level in comparison to the others. Also do you think they are going away? Normally I see a discount hitting them to close out on the Polk site. Do you feel the L800 is the best speaker from Polk built so far then?

Emlyn

In my room I need a couple subwoofers for home theater but they can do stereo well without them.

I would say the SDA 1.2TL and SDA 2.3TL were the best speakers Polk has ever build for stereo only but only when they're modified with tweeters replaced. The L800s best those overall for dual purpose home theater/stereo speakers. I don't own any of the old SDA speakers anymore.

No telling if the L800s will be discontinued in the near future. It is a bit concerning that a number of the Legend speakers have been unavailable for a few months. Different parent company now that may have different priorities and direction for the Polk brand given they have several brands to consider what to do with.

nooshinjohn

In my room, I find the L800’s thoroughly outperformed the older SDA 1.2 TL‘s. I have a REL sub in that room, and I do not even turn it on anymore. The bass is exceptionally powerful and clean from these speakers. Most of my listening is in to channel, in very little home theater, but the speakers perform admirably across both formats. I also have the L 900 height modules installed, and they to perform exceptionally well. Over all, I have no disappointment whatsoever having moved on from 1.2TL’s to the Legends…

nooshinjohn

@polkrt3000p... so what's it gonna be, my friend?

I am listening to the L800's now and cannot believe for a second that I almost sent them back! Now I go to hear far more expensive gear and walk away less than impressed, especially considering how little improvement there is for the Brinks trucks filled with money it takes to play at that level...

Polkrt3000

Still tossing it around reading as much as I can, most reviews are awesome, I was little concerned with the Andrew Robinson review started off good, but sounded like maybe a tricky speaker to sound good. I have a Adcom gfa 555ll and Sunfire preamp 5. With a pioneer 707 and a Shure V15 5 series. With a Denon CD and just a a basic Eco dot with a Sunfire sub. I use a second adcom 544 for ceiling speakers and Polk 5jrs. I have a sunfire receiver 5 series for other ceiling speakers upstairs. Although don’t use much. I think Andrew started out loving a lot about them, but when not SDA he seemed frustrated. Although many other reviews can’t believe how good they are. Also due to size maybe a hard sell vs something smaller. But nice to know they are the best, that is what the l600 maybe an option as well or lsim 707 or the RT3000p. Andrew did love the r700 but I feel I can go to the legend as I don’t buy speakers often it’s been 10-15 years since my last set. Still open to ideas, although seems like L800 is the consensus so far as the best overall which I trust this site as I have in the past for advice. I’m sure anything I pick will out do my RT1000 for bass, mid and treble. Although it got me by for years.

Polkrt3000

Sorry 545 not 544 adcom typo

Polkrt3000

Also can’t help but wonder about the SRT and switch my RT3000p to upstairs but maybe not the best sounding vs L800, plus very rare to find. Just like finding at RT3000p working these days. So maybe just crazy thinking, although LSiM707 also not as easy to find now. Maybe the same for the L800 as they won’t be here forever

Geoff4rfc

I only have experience with the 707's regarding your short list. Without knowing what your ears prefer, the 707's were just too laid back for my 2ch tastes. My RTiA9's outperformed the 707's for 2ch all day long.

I hear good things about the Legend series so if you're able to get a demo on those, bonus for you.

If you're near the San Antonio area, I'd be happy to demo my 707's for you. Mt Vernon Cherry, no scratches or blemishes, mint condition and have original boxes.

Best-o-luck to you.

ChrisD06

Polkrt3000 wrote: »

Also can’t help but wonder about the SRT and switch my RT3000p to upstairs but maybe not the best sounding vs L800, plus very rare to find. Just like finding at RT3000p working these days. So maybe just crazy thinking, although LSiM707 also not as easy to find now. Maybe the same for the L800 as they won’t be here forever

I'll tell you what, I have the RT3000p and while I haven't heard any of the other speakers you've mentioned, I'll say this:

I have a pair of M5JR+ with new tweeters and a rebuilt XO. They are better for musical listening than my RT3000p. I won't swap my RT3000p out for anything though because I'm yet to find something that matches their home theater use.

If you find an SRT system, just keep in mind they're fairly rare iirc.

Take that for what you will.