Let's talk about the low-ends (Monitor 50 et all)

crazy · February 2006

Ok, so most of the folks here have awesome setups with majority having Rti's while a few lucky ones having LSi's - so why not spend a little time on the bottom line speakers from Polk Audio - namely the Monitor series and more specifically the Monitor 50.

This was my first introduction to the Polk Audio line-up and while I have been contemplating getting some nicer speakers. (I'm a student - just graduated and looking for a real job - any leads

)

However, the last few days I have been listening to DVD-Audio music on the Monitor 50's (Monitor 30 for surround etc. - driven through Onkyo receviers) and have been rather pleased with how good it sounds despite being bottom line from Polk Audio. I reviewed the RTi's at a local store and sure they sound great - but I wasn't sure if they sounded a LOT better than the Monitors.

Now, when I cranked up the volume on the Monitors while listening to Porcupine Tree or Even Eagles, the sound seemed to almost hurt the ears - and not in a pleasant way. At slightly lower volumes, they sounded GREAT - very spacious and very clear but at a relatively high volume it didn't seem all that nice any more.

So that made me think - that the Monitor 50's maybe be amazing for music given the low price tag but if you really want to crank up your volume, then maybe the Monitor 60 or 70's are the way to go if not the RTi's.

Second of all, DVD-A's sound great on these speakers but I can't say the same for CD's - i.e. they don't sound as good. Again, when I play rock and crank up the volume, the speakers seem to be struggling a little at high volumes.

I would love to hear some feedback / critism / advice on the Monitor series and maybe suggestions for students and others who cannot afford a hi-end system but would still love to own a pair of fabulous Polk Audio speakers.

ND13 · February 2006

crazy wrote:

Monitor 50's (Monitor 30 for surround etc. - driven through Onkyo receviers)

Now, when I cranked up the volume on the Monitors while listening to Porcupine Tree or Even Eagles, the sound seemed to almost hurt the ears - and not in a pleasant way. At slightly lower volumes, they sounded GREAT - very spacious and very clear but at a relatively high volume it didn't seem all that nice any more.

So that made me think - that the Monitor 50's maybe be amazing for music given the low price tag but if you really want to crank up your volume, then maybe the Monitor 60 or 70's are the way to go if not the RTi's.

Again, when I play rock and crank up the volume, the speakers seem to be struggling a little at high volumes.

I would love to hear some feedback / critism / advice on the Monitor series and maybe suggestions for students and others who cannot afford a hi-end system but would still love to own a pair of fabulous Polk Audio speakers.

I'd say that the majority of your problem at higher volumes is the receiver, not the speakers.

Does your receiver have pre-outs? If it does, try some seperate amplification. You can get a decent pre-owned amp for less than a upgrading speakers which wouldn't make much of a difference being driven off the receiver anyways. Try a seperate amp before spending more money on speakers.

crazy · February 2006

ND13 wrote:

I'd say that the majority of your problem at higher volumes is the receiver, not the speakers.

I was using Onkyo TX-SR603's, which I was told can easily manage high volumes and are a good choice for Polk Audio Monitor line-up as well as RTi line-up. They are 90watts/channel.

Do you think there might be something wrong with the configuration / setup?

ND13 · February 2006

crazy wrote:

I was using Onkyo TX-SR603's, which I was told can easily manage high volumes and are a good choice for Polk Audio Monitor line-up as well as RTi line-up. They are 90watts/channel.

Do you think there might be something wrong with the configuration / setup?

The Onkyo isn't gonna have a true 90/ch when all channels are driven. Probably more like 30/ch. Get a high current amp with at least 100/channel and I'll bet it makes a world of difference.

While I don't have as much experience with the newer Monitor lineup as some, I have heard them on seperates and they sounded quite good for their price point, better than the JBLs and Infinitys they mainly compete against.

Nothing against Onkyo, but if you can return/exchange it for an HK you'll be very surprised at the difference. I know the HK will be rated at a lower wpc, but they are true high current watts and in real world use will be stronger than the Onkyo. Only do this if you have no intention in using seperate amplification. Most will agree that the HK will be much better for music, also.

*Seby*-Polk- · February 2006

I Have a pair of Monitor 50. Also, I own a Yamaha RXV-657 receiver.

For me, for my ears and a lot of people, this set sounds GREAT in movies and VERY GOOD for music

. I compare this speakers with JBL E-60 and Infinity Primus (don't remember the model

) I Found in Polk and Infinity much more CLEAN sound than JBL.

I.M.H.O. Polk and Infinity are superior than JBL (a lot of people think the same).

If you can mix the treeble, bass, positioning of speakers correctly...you will be enjoy ALL kind of music with this. Seriously, for the price, This monitor 50 can't be beated.

Good Luck

crazy · February 2006

ND13 wrote:

The Onkyo isn't gonna have a true 90/ch when all channels are driven. Probably more like 30/ch. Get a high current amp with at least 100/channel and I'll bet it makes a world of difference.

Thank you for the tip - so do you have any recommendations for receivers that have high current amps with true 100/ channel? Thanks!

ND13 · February 2006

Budget? And does the Onk have pre-outs?

ohskigod · February 2006

the monitor line can definitly be bright on certain gear. I've heard them on yamaha gear and that is definitly true in that case.

the inherent truth is that at higher volumes, an entry level isnt going to sound as clean as the other lines. I like onkyo gear usually, but most recievers as of late I do not like. wehter theyre just not making them like they used to, or with going seperates, I'm more finacky. I dont know.

I know my father had th same complaint a few years ago. he always had recievers (2 channel) and listenned to mid to upper grade recievers (particlarly Onkyo) and he DID NOT like what he heard. He went from an old Sansui Model 8, to a Onkyo Integra TX85 to what he was shopping for when he was dissapointed (he would up just fixing the Onk Integra). note that these are very good 2 channel recievers, so maybe the new recievers he was listening to just didnt cut the mustard quality wise.

I have not heard the monitor line with the Onks. I heard them with the Yammies and thought it was too harsh

I heard them with I believe Haarmon Kaardon and like what I heard.

hope that helps a little

crazy · February 2006

ND13 wrote:

Budget? And does the Onk have pre-outs?

Budget = $1K

I believe the Onkyo does have pre-outs. Will need to check.

*Seby*-Polk- · February 2006

Mmmm...maybe it's true with Yamaha is a little bright....

What's about DENON receivers ??? Somebody Try ????

crazy · February 2006

*Seby*-Polk- wrote:

Mmmm...maybe it's true with Yamaha is a little bright....

What's about DENON receivers ??? Somebody Try ????

Well, I reviewed the Monitor with Denon's, Onkyo's and HK's (all receiver were priced at around $400-$600) and found the Onkyo to be the best sounding of the lot.

ND13 · February 2006

Don't be scared of pre-owned or refurbed gear. Just about everything I own is pre-owned and I haven't had an issue to date. Check out the classifieds on Audiogon and I'll bet you'll find a shitload of very good gear for well under your budget.

*Seby*-Polk- · February 2006

crazy wrote:

Well, I reviewed the Monitor with Denon's, Onkyo's and HK's (all receiver were priced at around $400-$600) and found the Onkyo to be the best sounding of the lot.

Ok Crazy...i must try the Onkyo with Polks.

Anyway, check internet user opinions. Most of people says: " The best receiver to work with Polk speakers is DENON "

Maybe with a correct equalization...all receivers workly perfect

ohskigod · February 2006

Noels got a point!

better amplification would most definitly help that harshness at high volume problem.

problem is, I dont think that onk has pre outs. might want to check

if it does, start with a 2 channel amp for the mains only.

adam2434 · February 2006

Per my reply to your other "Auto-setup" thread, you may also get an improvement by running your speakers as "small" with a 60-80 Hz crossover setting in your receiver. This should free up a little current/headroom to drive your speakers a little better. Make sure the crossover in your sub is disabled or turned to the highest setting to avoid a double crossover of the bass freqs. What sub do you have? We can help with setting it properly too.

Also, do you listen in stereo or with some multichannel mode? Running in stereo, with your receiver driving only 2 speakers, should be less taxing on your receiver.

Also, try turning off the EQ feature as it may be boosting some freq's too much.

As others have indicated, a separate amp would give you the most improvement if your receiver has pre-outs.

crazy · February 2006

Adam - thank you for the great tip. I will follow your instructions and re-configure the receiver this evening and let you know the outcome.

Any suggestions for seperate amps?

ND13 · February 2006

If the Onkyo doesn't have pre-outs, take it back and get the the HK235/240 or 335/340 and a seperate high current 2-channel amp for the fronts. So when you're in 2-channel mode for music, you won't run short on headroom.

ND13 · February 2006

crazy wrote:

Any suggestions for seperate amps?

Many decent two channel amps out there for reasonable coinage.

In pre-owned look at Parasound, NAD, AMC, Rotel, Carver, Sunfire, etc

In new look at Outlaw, Audiosource, Odyssey and there are others.

ND13 · February 2006

BjornB17 · February 2006

ND13 wrote:

Here's a few used amps that will more than do the job for ya

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1144380303
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1144271522
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1144218323
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1144099140
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1144093240
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1144066381
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1144033541
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1143688385
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1143661749

That should get you started

Please stop me from buying those outlaw monoblocks, i still need money to feed myself!

zombie boy 2000 · February 2006

bjorn -- are you running those 70's with an external amp?
i couldn't help but take a peek at your signature

ND13 · February 2006

One other thing...the Monitors aren't really the low end of Polk's lineup, the R-Series would take that dubious honor.

*Seby*-Polk- · February 2006

ND13 wrote:

One other thing...the Monitors aren't really the low end of Polk's lineup, the R-Series would take that dubious honor.

Anyway, The R series sound much better than other speaker brands like Sony, Pioneer and Yamaha. RESPECT FOR THE R SERIES (Especially for R-30!)

ND13 · February 2006

I didn't say there was anything wrong with the R-Series, just that they are the low-end of the Polk lineup. I had a pair of R30s and they did/do just fine for HT. They are only decent for music.

As a whole, the Polk lineup is very hard to beat in each of the price points they compete in.

BjornB17 · February 2006

zombie boy 2000 wrote:

bjorn -- are you running those 70's with an external amp?
i couldn't help but take a peek at your signature

I wish i was! The HK AVR130 does a very good job, but I bet 200 WPC from those outlaws would help a bunch also

I will probably get two monoblocks in the summer time.

along with them, i will also buy a receiver that has pre-outs.

audiobliss · February 2006

Yup, take everybody elses advice and get some separate amplification. If your receiver doesn't have preouts, get a cheap HK that does, or look around for a used preamp.

Joey_V · February 2006

BjornB17 wrote:

I wish i was! The HK AVR130 does a very good job, but I bet 200 WPC from those outlaws would help a bunch also

You bet it does. High current separates are necessary if you want that next level of sonic presentation. More important than sheer power (wattage) is the amount of current (amps) the amplifier is putting through. Those Outlaw monoblocks may be solid... but I would rather get an older Parasound/Rotel for the same price as the two monoblocks.

Just my opinion.

crazy · February 2006

I just checked my manual and the Onkyo 603's don't seem to have pre-outs

Oh well, I need to get me a real job to get one of those Rotels...

crazy · February 2006

ND13 wrote:

One other thing...the Monitors aren't really the low end of Polk's lineup, the R-Series would take that dubious honor.

What about the M20?

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/m20/

ohskigod · February 2006

BjornB17 wrote:

Please stop me from buying those outlaw monoblocks, i still need money to feed myself!

oh will you stop, thats why god invented Top Ramen noodle packs

ND13 · February 2006

crazy wrote:

What about the M20?

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/m20/

That's the new R30, I believe, as the R series is out of production from what I understand.????????

Anyone know if that's true or not???

Let's talk about the low-ends (Monitor 50 et all)

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