Polk R50

BullShifter
BullShifter Posts: 66
edited February 2006 in Speakers
Well after reading so much good stuff on the Polk R50's I went to Fry's and found them for $79.00 each, much less than I was willing to spend on speakers. After some website issues, today they listed them as $199 each. The nice people over at Fry's were able to do $79.00 each for me which I am very pleased with. The R50's will be replacing OLD Pioneer 12" and OLD Technics 10" speakers. The bass is covered with 2 powered subs. Now my only question is which center channel should I go with, I already use some Polk bookshelfs for the rear.

Only bad thing is the speakers are cheery which don't match the rest of my system but refinishing is no problem if the sound is right.

Thanks to all who metioned the R50's and Fry's. I would have spent more for a lower quality speaker.
HK AVR 335
Polk R50 fronts
Polk CSi25 center
Polk R15 rear
2 Sony modded subs with 12" Daytons
32" Sharp Aquos
PS2
Post edited by BullShifter on
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Comments

  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    edited February 2006
    Welcome and congrats on the purchase.

    The CSi25 or CSM centers match the R series.

    Fry's/Outpost carries the CSi25 and runs sales on them occasionally.

    The CSM is very similar to the CSi25, but cosmetically matches the new M series, which I believe is replacing the R series. I've seen them on Circuit City's website for around $90 after rebate.
    5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
    2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
    2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
    2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
    Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited February 2006
    Solid speaker and solid price. I was considering the R50 back when I started my Polk journey... ahh... reminds me of the good ol' days (about 3 years ago).
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited February 2006
    The CSi25 as said is a match, the CS1 sounds great as well. I use the CSi3, great for HT and dialog, a bit bright for music compared to the 50s. I keep it a couple of dbs below my mains.

    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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  • *Seby*-Polk-
    *Seby*-Polk- Posts: 375
    edited February 2006
    Yeah...I agreed :) I listen the CS1 in a store and sounds great for the price. I think that is a best central speaker in price-quality relation. ;)
    My current new system (step by step :D)

    A/V Receiver: YAMAHA RX-V657
    DVD Player: YAMAHA DVD-S657
    Main Towers: polkaudio® Monitor 50
    Wiring: NeoTecH KS1007 OFC High Definition Speaker Cable ( 2 x 2.64 mm² )
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  • BullShifter
    BullShifter Posts: 66
    edited February 2006
    Had the R50's for 2 days now, what a difference!

    Ron Temple have you used the R50's without the amp?
    How do you like the HK235?
    HK AVR 335
    Polk R50 fronts
    Polk CSi25 center
    Polk R15 rear
    2 Sony modded subs with 12" Daytons
    32" Sharp Aquos
    PS2
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited February 2006
    BullShifter wrote:
    Ron Temple have you used the R50's without the amp?
    How do you like the HK235?

    I had the 50s for several months prior to the amp. The HK sounds great, a big improvement over an entry level Onkyo 5xx series I had. A friend brought over the amp just to see if there was an improvement and I kept it. It's subtle, but better. It takes some of the load off the other channels. Certainly not a requirement. The Rs aren't hard to drive.

    The HK has plenty of current to handle any peaks. A more powerful receiver or an amp is likely to improve the R50s, but probably not to astounding levels. Still, I like them quite a bit having heard quite a few more expensive options. They bring alot to the table for the money.

    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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  • Maestro
    Maestro Posts: 92
    edited February 2006
    R50s - Solid speaker, great sound, excellent price! They may be the bottom of the totem pole in Polk series of speakers, but they are definitely the foundation. No sign of strain even when I push them with my H/K.

    I use the CSi3 for center channel as well; it does wonders for dialogue. Enjoy your new R50s!
    _________________________
    Main: Polk R50s
    Center: Polk CSi3
    Surround: Polk R30s
    Rear: Polk R15s
    Sub: Polk PSW12
    Cherry Wood Edition
    Whirlwind Cables/Connectors

    Harman/Kardon AVR635
    Harman/Kardon DVD 27
    Sony RDR-GX300 DVDR
    Sony Bravia 40" XBR1
    _________________________
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  • *Seby*-Polk-
    *Seby*-Polk- Posts: 375
    edited February 2006
    The R-line of polk is AWESOME. The quality in this "low end speakers" is superb. Very far best than comercial brands and best than models of JBL, Infinity, etc. (in the same price range). Very happy and proud with POLK R's. i have a pair of R-50 and now buy monitor 50 (great too, but less bass).

    The "low end" of Polk speakers is best than "higher ends" of other brands :D:D
    My current new system (step by step :D)

    A/V Receiver: YAMAHA RX-V657
    DVD Player: YAMAHA DVD-S657
    Main Towers: polkaudio® Monitor 50
    Wiring: NeoTecH KS1007 OFC High Definition Speaker Cable ( 2 x 2.64 mm² )
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited February 2006
    Reading your many posts Seby... I can officially call you Polk's Fanboy of the Month.

    :)
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • AzN_plyR
    AzN_plyR Posts: 96
    edited February 2006
    R50's on sale again for 80 bucks a piece at outpost!
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  • Maestro
    Maestro Posts: 92
    edited February 2006
    I forgot to mention, I put a sweet review on the R50s back in October...

    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/r50/?reviews=1
    _________________________
    Main: Polk R50s
    Center: Polk CSi3
    Surround: Polk R30s
    Rear: Polk R15s
    Sub: Polk PSW12
    Cherry Wood Edition
    Whirlwind Cables/Connectors

    Harman/Kardon AVR635
    Harman/Kardon DVD 27
    Sony RDR-GX300 DVDR
    Sony Bravia 40" XBR1
    _________________________
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  • BullShifter
    BullShifter Posts: 66
    edited February 2006
    Another update, after trying a ghetto rigged Audiosource amp with my Sony STR-DE595 receiver I knew it was time for more new stuff. I won a HK AVR-335Z on ebay,from harman, for one helluva price. Now I need another set of surrounds. It just never ends :D . That's ok I'm even with selling some old audio equipment on ebay. Oen day I'll be going through these http://www.genesisloudspeakers.com/prd_1p1.html like I go through "cheap" stuff. :rolleyes:
    HK AVR 335
    Polk R50 fronts
    Polk CSi25 center
    Polk R15 rear
    2 Sony modded subs with 12" Daytons
    32" Sharp Aquos
    PS2
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited February 2006
    BullShifter wrote:
    Another update, after trying a ghetto rigged Audiosource amp with my Sony STR-DE595 receiver I knew it was time for more new stuff. I won a HK AVR-335Z on ebay,from harman, for one helluva price. Now I need another set of surrounds. It just never ends :D . That's ok I'm even with selling some old audio equipment on ebay. Oen day I'll be going through these http://www.genesisloudspeakers.com/prd_1p1.html like I go through "cheap" stuff. :rolleyes:

    Suuuure... and this will be your audio room?
    1098322015.jpg
    Heheheh..
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • BullShifter
    BullShifter Posts: 66
    edited February 2006
    What are those things next to the center speaker, amps?
    HK AVR 335
    Polk R50 fronts
    Polk CSi25 center
    Polk R15 rear
    2 Sony modded subs with 12" Daytons
    32" Sharp Aquos
    PS2
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  • *Seby*-Polk-
    *Seby*-Polk- Posts: 375
    edited February 2006
    Heyyy !!! that photo !!!!! What are doing the picture of MY ROOM in your hands ???? :D:D:D
    My current new system (step by step :D)

    A/V Receiver: YAMAHA RX-V657
    DVD Player: YAMAHA DVD-S657
    Main Towers: polkaudio® Monitor 50
    Wiring: NeoTecH KS1007 OFC High Definition Speaker Cable ( 2 x 2.64 mm² )
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited February 2006
    BullShifter wrote:
    What are those things next to the center speaker, amps?

    His preamp is about 125,000$ and those amps are just about as much in cost... those are Mark Levinson no33 amplifier monoblocks.

    Yup, that is definitely towards the extreme of extreme of extreme audio. True, overpriced... but what I would give to have the ability to afford that set up - it's just nuts. ;)
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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