Polk Audio SurroundBar (42", 50", 360 DVD Theater, SDA IHT) - Review/ Help Thread

cfrizz · January 2006

WAAAAAA!!!!

I'm happy to hear that the surroundbar is selling well! Congrats to Polk Audio!

F1nut · January 2006

Gawd, how we love those "art" movies!

daniel_paul_ · February 2006

I am also glad to hear it is selling. But someone needs to bring up issues for possible improvment. Progress is never made when only possitive input is given.

Tour2ma · February 2006

I think "rear speakering" is still illegal in 20 or so states...

kab · February 2006

daniel_paul_ wrote:

I am also glad to hear it is selling. But someone needs to bring up issues for possible improvment. Progress is never made when only possitive input is given.

DP - You're absolutely right. While we are delighted with the attention and praise of the press and the consumers, we are always interested in hearing what we can improve.

So if anyone has any recommendations for improvement, leave them here or send me an email.

On a closely related topic, I am beginning to assemble "panels" for participation in future product development, trend-watching and other marketing research topics. If you interested in volunteering drop me an email so I can send along the details

dorokusai · February 2006

daniel_paul_ wrote:

I do not see a stong market for this. You still need to buy a reciever, sub and dvd/cd player. The total price is going to be high. I would think that the kind of person who buys the Bose 3-2-1 type of system would be attracted to the "all-in-one" packaging AND the smaller overall setup (sound quality in third). Through in one remote...the Bose marketing machine...

I think the comparison is ridiculous. There are alot of variables at play when you want to A/B products like these. It's not trying to be an All-In-One HT System nor is it marketed as such. It's a speaker.

The dimensions are not that outrageous that it demands enourmous real estate. It's 42" and built like a tank. I actually think it's smaller in person. The Bose speakers are <8"/each and built like a childrens toy.

What flexibility do you have with the Bose system if you do actually care about sound and video? None, as the performance of both is average at best.

Where is the surround format support of the 321? It doesn't exist because the speakers cannot create any of those soundfields. "Truespace"? LOL, it's garbage. It's all a psuedo-HT experience. How is this sonically a valid comparison to the Polk SB?

What about connectivity for a potential customers collection of gear? The 321 is very limited, especially for the many people getting into higher quality connection methods. You could buy a seperate AVR and have more connectivity than you need, for a very modest amount of money.

Don't you think that the choice to handpick those needed components based on actual individual performance is more important than an AI1 box?

Unfortunately, and you allude to this previously, the Bose marketing machine is huge. The only way to counter this and get a foothold, is for Polk to ensure that the product is being displayed and sold in a somewhat equal approach. The Brick and Mortar displays are VITAL to the success. I would love to see Circuit City display a Polk speaker, or damn near any speaker, in a flattering way or even correctly set it up. The groundlevel management of this is horrible and makes me ill whenever I visit a B&M. Tweeter is the only store that displays Polk's in a decent manner, at least in my travels.

I have no love of Bose products, never have, never will. When they make something interesting like the 901 again, perhaps they will get some love...but they won't, those days are long gone. All fluff, no substance.

If I had something bad to say about the SB, I assure you I would. It achieves alot for being so unassuming and if one likes Bose over it simply do to the aethetics or included DVD player....I can only shrug my shoulders. Next customer in line please....

daniel_paul_ · February 2006

My reference to size refers to the components needed. It sounds like, from the reviews noted above, the technology is all there. The question then is how to grab the largest market share (preferable from Bose).

dorokusai · February 2006

That's a very valid comment. I think the only way to do it is to be aggressive and proactive in the actual ground level market.

dudeinaroom · February 2006

I think the best way to steal the bose market would be to go into bose owners houses with a half way desent receiver, dvd player, an ok sud, and a sound bar demo it, and if the don't like beeat them in the head with the sound bar untill thety likeit. Oh, and if it breaks while beating said bose owner into submission well I guess they have to buy since they broke it with their head.

aogemini · March 2006

I am thinking about eliminating my Polk CSi5 center channel and replace it with the Surround Bar. I plan on continuing to use my RTi12 fronts and FXi5 rears and my subwoofer. Would it be a "good" substitute from a perspective of tonal balance, sensitivity, matching dB, etc.

Please advise.

Thanks,
Art

PolkThug · March 2006

aogemini wrote:

I am thinking about eliminating my Polk CSi5 center channel and replace it with the Surround Bar. I plan on continuing to use my RTi12 fronts and FXi5 rears and my subwoofer. Would it be a "good" substitute from a perspective of tonal balance, sensitivity, matching dB, etc.

Please advise.

Thanks,
Art

That would be a waste and probably not sound as good. Keep you CSi5, its a good center. The surround bar is meant to replace all those speakers, not work in conjuction with them.

wingnut4772 · March 2006

I agree. Did you plan to hook up all the speakers on the surround bar as well as keep your originals? That might be a neat experiment but I suspect it would be a mess and I am not even sure how it would be done ( although someone here could probably explan how). I would keep the center.

RuSsMaN · March 2006

How about using this thread for what it is intended for, SurroundBar reviews.

Not jumping on anyone, but damn lets try and keep a couple 'formal' threads clean.

McLoki · March 2006

For those who don't want to search......

Cnet review

Circuit City user reviews

Home Theater Dude (crap review)

Amazon - one decent user review.

Michael

McLoki · March 2006

That one (home theater mag) had been mentioned a few times and I didn't want to be repetitive.

I was looking for other reviews and just came across the ones that I linked to.

No idea who the "home theater dude" is. Like I said - kind of a crap review. Looks thrown together from literature to me. (I wonder if he has even heard it....)

Michael

irishaz · March 2006

Have had the surround bar for almost a week and after some tinkering it sounds awesome. Granted, the surround is not as pronounced as it would be with separates, but it's there. I was watching Saving Private Ryan and the sound field was impressive. I'm not sure I like it for music, but I haven't experimented with that much. Don't really think that is what it was designed for, but sounds passable anyway.

All in all, crystal clear sound with excellent clarity. Bass is quite good, but I can't imagine it without a sub. I set the crossover at 100 (per Mantis' rec.) and that seems to be perfect.

AndyGwis · March 2006

I saw the BAR for $599 today at Tweeter here in Dallas. They will throw in a free PSW10, which you should promptly trade in for $200 towards a better sub.

Just a heads up.

blue911 · April 2006

Two questions:

I have a difficult area for 5.1 with seating directly against a back wall and against a corner. I thought about in-ceiling surround speakers directly above the sofa, but salespeople say this is not ideal.

Do you think the SurroundBar may be as good as or better than doing this? I would sacrifice some "surround" effect for not having to cut holes and run wires in the attic.

Second, in a viewing area defined by two sofas of about 13' x 10', which is one end of a long living room, maybe 30', would the PSW10 be adequate, or would the PSW12 add anything? Mostly for movies.

Thanks.

dorokusai · April 2006

I think you would be suprised at how well SDA works on the Surround Bar. I find it images quite nicely. I would step up to the PSW12 in regards to a subwoofer.

bilbono · May 2006

So how is everyone liking the surroundbar for music listening?

tsmith7 · May 2006

I purchased the surroundbar at CC with a 7.1 onkyo receiver, dvd player, and PSW10. I was replacing a very old stereo purhased in 1985 that I bought because CD's had just come out. Showing my age here for sure. I had listened to several HTB systems and was not really impressed. I did not want, nor could I easily run seperate speakers in my LR. The whole package was $1500 and install was pretty simple. I also connected my digital cable to take advantage of the improved sound over the TV speakers. Overall I am very happy with the bar. I have heard others say they tweaked it to get best sound. Any reccomendations would be helpful. I know you can't really use the auto speaker setup on the reciever because all the speakers are in 1 place. I wired the sub with the front speakers as recommended and set all speakers to large with sub off. I am confused as to what to do about speaker equalization. Should I turn it off on all? It is set to auto currently, which uses the settings from auto setup. Since I did not do the auto setup I am not sure what settings it is using. The sound during movies is 100% better than my old system - you don't get full surrond, but it makes you seem more like you are in the middle of the movie - definately surronds somewhat. I am not really thrilled with the sound on music. Sometimes it sounds REALLY good. Classical is great. But other types of music are not so good - dance music just comes out too heavy on the bass, so I turn down the bass. All in all it is better than my old setup and works great for movies. And considering the total price, a real bargain. I would appreciate any feedback on the best "tweaking" especially for music.

GeorgeM · June 2006

I'm about to purchase a Surround Bar for someone in the family. After several searches, about the best price I can find is $776.00 (includes shipping).

Does that sound about right?

-GeorgeM

dorokusai · June 2006

Did you try Crutchfield?

GeorgeM · June 2006

Yes, I did try Crutchfield; their price was $799. I also went to all of the Polk authorized resellers listed here on this website.

By coincidence, I just received the monthly Polk email "Listen Up! Newsletter" and under 'Promotions' the SurroundBar was listed as being offered at a reduced price between June 29th and August 8th. However, the price was not listed:eek: ! Maybe someone from Polk can respond.

I'm still lookin'...

-G

dorokusai · June 2006

The price is listed, you just have to hit a couple additional links. It's higher than what you posted, so don't worry about it.

GeorgeM · June 2006

dorokusai wrote:

The price is listed, you just have to hit a couple additional links. It's higher than what you posted, so don't worry about it.

Thanks,

-G

Emlyn · June 2006

Now on sale at Crutchfield and OneCall for $599.99

Going to get one myself now.

GeorgeM · July 2006

1. I talked a relative into ordering a SurroundBar from Crutchfield last Tuesday and it arrived Thursday (shipping free via UPS Ground) and the price was $799.00. I'm going to make the connections for her next week when the new Panasonic plasma and the Oppo DVD player arrrive.

2. After noticing the '4th of July' sale (thanks for posting that info!) I sent an email to Crutchfield asking if they'd make an adjustment to the sale price of $599.00. A prompt email reply revealed that they would with instructions to contact the sales department via phone. That's 'my kind of company': good customer service, fast replies, and the 'right' price

. I have not purchased anything from Crutchfield before but they'll be on my list for future buys.

3. I'll post some comments on the SurroundBar after it's set up next week.

Have a good Fourth-of-July everyone!

-G

GeorgeM · July 2006

1. I made all of the setup connections yesterday and the SurroundBar blends in exceptionally well. The room is 'acoustically challanged':eek: with limited space so the S-Bar solved many problems so the user could enjoy a 5.1 system.

2. I'm going to be a self-appointed shill for Panasonic and Oppo: The display is just dazzling and yields twice the picture quality at half the cost when compared to my almost three-year-old Sampo (Gateway badge) 42" plasma.
I guess I did not expect to view that level of quality from $2200.00 plasma and a $200.00 (US) DVD player.

3. I have a question on the sub-connection; I guess I better post it in the sub forum...

Panasonic TH-42PX60U
Oppo OPDV971H (DVI-to-HDMI on Plasma/Optical to Recv'r)
Yamaha 5650 Recv'r (hand-me-down)
SA-8300HD DVR Box (HDMI-to-HDMI on Plasma)
and of course, the Surround Bar
sub: to follow Yamaha 215 (hand-me-down)

-G

TigerDen · July 2006

GeorgeM,

I am also looking into getting the surround bar. I would apprecitate your impressions of the surround capablities compared to the tv speakers after you get the system dialed in. I bought a Panasonic 50px60u about 2 months ago along with the VIP 622 HD receiver. The picture quality is truely amazing but now need a good sound solution.

Polk Audio SurroundBar (42", 50", 360 DVD Theater, SDA IHT) - Review/ Help Thread

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