Polk Audio R15 Speaker Good?

tdogroeder
tdogroeder Posts: 53
edited September 2005 in Speakers
Since I could have side surround and back surround. I have a
Yamaha RX-V757 receiver and was wondering if the R15 was a good choice to put as a back surround speakers?
Yamaha RXV-757
JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
Post edited by tdogroeder on
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited August 2005
    Your best bet would be to go to a dealer and take a listen to them. Also make sure to listen to more expensive models and other brands to get a feel for what you like. Some people here think they are nice bookshelves, while others think they suck. It's all personal opinion.
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited August 2005
    michael_w wrote:
    Your best bet would be to go to a dealer and take a listen to them. Also make sure to listen to more expensive models and other brands to get a feel for what you like. Some people here think they are nice bookshelves, while others think they suck. It's all personal opinion.

    Do you know of any websites that have really good prices for speakers?
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited August 2005
    What are your main speakers? My suggestion would be to get surrounds that match your mains. I have the R15s as my surrounds, and they offer a great value for entry level HT.
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited August 2005
    Shizelbs wrote:
    What are your main speakers? My suggestion would be to get surrounds that match your mains. I have the R15s as my surrounds, and they offer a great value for entry level HT.

    I have very old 3-way pioneer floor speakers with a 12 inch woofer in them, but I am planning on getting the Polk Audio RTi6's and CSi5 for fronts and FXi5's for side surrounds. I have the PSW303 for my sub, but I am going to add the HSU STF-2 sub eventually.
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited August 2005
    keep an eye on Frys Electronics. Once in a while they throw out some nice deals. It also depends where you live as to which websites you would want to look at.

    btw nice choices on the future speakers. Give the rti4's a listen before buying the 6's. Sometimes bigger isn't always better.
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited August 2005
    Bah, why mess a good thing up by bringing in a different and inferior speaker into the mix? If you're looking to save money, many here would suggest buying something from the current RTi series used, or a used speaker from the previous RTi series. Sounds like you have a nice set up going on there.
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited August 2005
    rti4
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    Zero wrote:
    just giving you a different perspective to chew on.

    You're good at that, too.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited August 2005
    Zero wrote:
    Tdogroeder,

    The R15 is a surprisingly good little speaker that punches above its weight. The R series is voiced similar to the RTi series and will be perfectly suitable for rear surrounds in your theater system. This is an option I would not hesitate to take if you did not want to lay down a lot of money for this application. However, if you are willing to spend a few more bucks, purchasing the Rti-4 may prove worthwhile.

    For the record, though, a good 5.1 system is still the reference to beat.

    Also, that STF-2 is a wonderful, very adept sub for music. While the STF-2 is an all around better sub-woofer than the PSW 303, I have to warn you that its SPL will only be modestly better than the 303. The STF-3 on the other hand, uses a very nice 12'' driver that is just an all out different beast.. she is made to rock.

    I am not telling you this to dissuade you from any purchase - just giving you a different perspective to chew on.

    Are you saying that I would only get a little more bass from the STF-2 than what I'm getting now in my PSW303, so it wouldnt be worth getting that sub I should get a bigger one.
    I do have hard wood floors to consider, I know that really helps make bass
    better.
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited August 2005
    Another vote for the RTi4. Excellent speaker and right now theyre on sale for like $230 which is a great deal for the performance you get.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited August 2005
    anonymouse wrote:
    ...I disagree that the R and RTi series are voiced similar. I personally think the difference between these series is night and day. The RTi series is way better than the R series to my ears. Far better resolution, separation and soundstage.

    so true. a big performance gap between rti4 & monitor30 as well.
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
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  • kingtut
    kingtut Posts: 813
    edited August 2005
    R15 will be fine for surrounds and movies. I used as as main speakers (front) for my bedroom set, but I returned it because it's too thin sounding for music. RTi in my opinion, is much better speakers.
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  • Schris22
    Schris22 Posts: 983
    edited August 2005
    I have the R15's as a computer set up and were rears before my i got some r30's from a friend....these are perfectly fine for movies (surround effects) and think that unless you have/want to spend the money on nicer quality speakers then go for it. I think the Rti's are great speakers for movies, but for around $50 for 2 R15's....I think it's hard to resist...the entire R line is just in general a great value...not the best performance...

    Chris
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR502-S
    DVD Player: Pioneer DV-578A-S
    Left and Right: R50
    Center: CS1
    Rear Center: R15
    Surrounds: R30
    Subwoofer: 10'' Dayton 100 Watt
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  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited August 2005
    Schris22 wrote:
    I have the R15's as a computer set up and were rears before my i got some r30's from a friend....these are perfectly fine for movies (surround effects) and think that unless you have/want to spend the money on nicer quality speakers then go for it. I think the Rti's are great speakers for movies, but for around $50 for 2 R15's....I think it's hard to resist...the entire R line is just in general a great value...not the best performance...

    Chris

    i agree. for $50 a pair that's just a great buy pure and simple.

    Also, what kind of tweet does the r15 have? Someone said earlier that it's tweeter is different than the rest of the R line? what's up with that?
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,056
    edited August 2005
    I used R10 for the longest time as my rears. They sound 100% better than JBL I was using. The I swaped the r10 with rti4 and I have to say there is a big difference in sound. This is not to say the R is bad what so ever. They are now used as my mains in the bed 2ch system. If you can get extra cash I say go with the 4. If cash at this point is an issue either run the R and upgrade or just run with no rears
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited August 2005
    Schris22 wrote:
    I have the R15's as a computer set up and were rears before my i got some r30's from a friend....these are perfectly fine for movies (surround effects) and think that unless you have/want to spend the money on nicer quality speakers then go for it. I think the Rti's are great speakers for movies, but for around $50 for 2 R15's....I think it's hard to resist...the entire R line is just in general a great value...not the best performance...

    Chris

    Where can you get the R15's for $50, please let me know? I have only been able to find them for about $100 for the pair.
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited August 2005
    tdogroeder wrote:
    Where can you get the R15's for $50, please let me know? I have only been able to find them for about $100 for the pair.

    Frys or Outpost.com on sale about once a month now ( used to be twice). Normal price will show as $129/pr. Sometimes on Outpost they will still show that price but if you go to checkout, it will show $49.98 ea. This is actually a pair. There are 2 to a box.

    Good Luck.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • jet2001
    jet2001 Posts: 180
    edited August 2005
    I use R15's as my surrounds (5.1 setup) and they do their job well. They are good little speakers. I wouldn't use them as fronts, but as surrounds I have been very pleased with them.

    And for $50 for the pair...you really can't go wrong. Keep checking Fry's, they go on sale from time to time.
    RTi4-fronts
    CSi3-center
    R15-surrounds
    Cerwin Vega LW15-Sub
    Denon AVR 885
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited August 2005
    Ron Temple wrote:
    Frys or Outpost.com on sale about once a month now ( used to be twice). Normal price will show as $129/pr. Sometimes on Outpost they will still show that price but if you go to checkout, it will show $49.98 ea. This is actually a pair. There are 2 to a box.

    Good Luck.

    I went there as you said and they are $129, I even called them and they said they are $129.
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited August 2005
    jet2001 wrote:
    I use R15's as my surrounds (5.1 setup) and they do their job well. They are good little speakers. I wouldn't use them as fronts, but as surrounds I have been very pleased with them.

    And for $50 for the pair...you really can't go wrong. Keep checking Fry's, they go on sale from time to time.

    Where did you get yours for $50 a pair?
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • jet2001
    jet2001 Posts: 180
    edited August 2005
    Fry's sale ad comes out every week on friday I believe...keep checking.

    I got mine at a Fry's store.
    RTi4-fronts
    CSi3-center
    R15-surrounds
    Cerwin Vega LW15-Sub
    Denon AVR 885
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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited August 2005
    jet2001 wrote:
    Fry's sale ad comes out every week on friday I believe...keep checking.

    I got mine at a Fry's store.

    OK, I will keep checking, thanks. Right now they have R30's for $50.
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • KrazyMofo24
    KrazyMofo24 Posts: 1,210
    edited August 2005
    R15's were $50 two weeks ago, and a couple days last week. The R30's are $40 each at my Fry's. I wish they'd put the RTi or Lsi series on sale.
    Setup:

    2 Channel: Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand, T+A P 1230R, Primare SPA21, Oppo BDP-105
    PC: Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand, Cambridge Azure 650A v2 , Peachtree iDAC, Denon DVD-3800BDCI

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  • tdogroeder
    tdogroeder Posts: 53
    edited August 2005
    KrazyMofo24 wrote:
    R15's were $50 two weeks ago, and a couple days last week. The R30's are $40 each at my Fry's. I wish they'd put the RTi or Lsi series on sale.

    What's FRY's wesbsite or is it outpost.com?
    Yamaha RXV-757
    JM-Lab Focal Cobalt 816 S's, JM-LabFocal Cobalt CC 800 S, FXi3's, RT15's & PSW 303
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited August 2005
    It's outpost.com
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  • jet2001
    jet2001 Posts: 180
    edited September 2005
    They're on sale this week...get to your Fry's if you want them at $50 for the pair.
    RTi4-fronts
    CSi3-center
    R15-surrounds
    Cerwin Vega LW15-Sub
    Denon AVR 885
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited September 2005
    I thinking about getting a pair in cherry just to match my mains. Thats a pretty good deal.
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,781
    edited September 2005
    They also go on sale at Circuit City quite often, web order only. I've gotten two pair this summer for $59 w/free shipping.

    Using one pair as surrounds, the other pair I bought for a friend's main speaker setup, with a Dayton 10" sub that is on sale for $99. For $160 total, it actually sounds quite good.
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