Who is Polk Audio?

2

Comments

  • BIZILL
    BIZILL Posts: 5,432
    edited March 2007
    higher class than sony, which to the AVERAGE consumer, is a big deal. once you own a set, you're feeling better about yourself and your status.

    POLK SDA-SRS 1.2TL -- ADCOM GFA-5802
    PANASONIC PT-AE4000U -- DIY WILSONART DW 135" 2.35:1 SCREEN
    ONKYO TX-SR805
    CENTER: CSI5
    MAINS: RTI8'S
    SURROUNDS: RTI8'S
    7.1 SURROUNDS: RTI6'S
    SUB: SVS PB12-PLUS/2 (12.3 series)

    XBOX 360
    WiiPS3/blu-rayTOSHIBA HD-A35 hd dvd

    http://polkarmy.com/forums/index.php
    bobman1235 wrote:
    I have no facts to back that up, but I never let facts get in the way of my arguments.
  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited March 2007
    bknauss wrote:
    A paycheck :)

    Best so far ;)
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
  • kab
    kab Posts: 275
    edited March 2007
    Ron-P wrote:
    Not true, Mc-Dee's does not make people fatter. People make themselves fatter.

    Ron,

    Whether this or any of my thoughts about McD are factually correct is not at all important. It is what I believe; therefore, it's true for me. I am just one consumer and I'm sure others have their "true" idea of who McDonalds is.

    It is the preponderence of consumer ideas that determine who Polk Audio or any brand is. They can be (and probably are) different for each person. What we hope to see are a few important and unique attributes common to all consumer ideas/images of our brand. And that they align with what we believe about ourselves.

    Al
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,951
    edited March 2007
    To me Polk represents a good bang for your buck speaker company with great customer service.Though it's getting a tad crowded in that category,I think the LSI line and the I-SONIC,have seperated them a bit.I personally wish they would consentrate there efforts instead of trying to be all things to everyone in audio.Yeah,I know....market share...yada yada yada....just waiting for that stand out speaker from them like the SRT OR 1.2 TL that sets the bar for the rest.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • Fireman32
    Fireman32 Posts: 4,845
    edited March 2007
    To me Polk is all abount an excellent product made by excellent people. I have never had to call customer service but I know if I ever have to it will be top notch. Then there is this forum where I have met some of the nicest most knowledgeable people there are. And then there is Polkfest! I own a pair of RTA12b's since 2005.
  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited March 2007
    Polk Audio to me is a hometown company that produced a quality product that had great looks and sounded great for the money.

    I also remember the white lab coat adds in Stereo Review.

    Best customer service available.

    I have had two issues since my first Polk purchase in 1993. My first issue was a cracked voice coil in a 5.25 mid driver from a pair of component car speakers which I still own and are installed in an older car. When I had the voice coil problem which was probably my fault, I called CS and I was invited to Metro Avenue to bring the driver back and they replaced the driver with out question.

    Second issue in the past few months a terminal pulled of a MMC650 speaker I removed from my boat for the off season and Ken answered my e-mail and sent me yet another driver no questions asked.

    I own RTi10, CSi5, Monitor 5's, MMC6500 and MM5250? component car speakers mentioned above.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited March 2007
    What I think about when I think Polk Audio

    - Best speakers on the market dollar for dollar
    - Best customer service period
    - Best people period
    - Best forum period
    - But most of all, the knack for making its customers feel like theyre a part of the company and one big happy family!!!

    Im one of the few guys running Polk Audio gear in car audio competitions however I get no funny looks when people find out my brand. Polk has a lot of respect out there from what Ive seen especially among the more knowledgable and experiences enthusiast and the general perception is high quality and great value. Now that Polk is venturing into the high end car speaker market, that respect is sure to grow.

    Been a fan of Polk Audio since the early 90's but my bought my first product in 2003.

    MMC690
    MM6
    SR6500
    SR5250
    MM2104
    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
  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited March 2007
    Polk Audio is (most importantly) the site that hosts the "Tasteful Babe Thread".
  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited March 2007
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited March 2007
    Polk Audio:

    Great entry level foray into audio and 'audiophilia' ( an incurable disease)

    Underrated

    Undermarketed

    All my friends have heard of Bose. Not one has heard of Polk Audio.


    My first Polks were Rti 100s, Then a complete LSI set. Now I only have LC80is in my ceiling as rear surrounds.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,163
    edited March 2007
    Quality, built and engineered to last a long time
    Value
    Performance
    Affordable
    Passion for music reproduction
    Excellent R & D
    Best Customer Service I've ever experienced
    Grass Roots Values at a relatively large corp.
    Club Polk

    My first Polks were the Original Monitor 5b's circa 1985. My 2nd pair were my RTA-11T's circa 1987, currently have Lsi-9's and another pair of 5b's :D .

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited March 2007
    Polk Audio is:

    The Balls
  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,212
    edited March 2007
    I have owned Polks since I bought RTA-11t's in 1989. I have owned most of their speakers over the years. It doesn't matter what product you have, it is always the best sounding speaker at the price.

    I will never abandon Polk Audio due to the following reason and it is what seperates Polk from any other company in any market. Bottom Line:

    Polk honestly and genuinely cares about people. Doesn't matter if they are customers are not. I will never forget the Polk Audio tour in Baltimore. What other company will invite you to their HQ and spend the day with you. Every person from the receptionist to Jim Herd and Matt Polk, as well as other VP's, were available to speak to and honestly listened to your opinion. The pride on their faces showing off the products and intense listening to opinions, both good and bad, was amazing.

    It is the same every time I call customer service. Ken is a wealth of knowledge and always take the time to listen and explain. Thanks Ken!

    There are probably products that can compete with Polk Audio on price and quality, but I will never consider buying them. You can't buy brand loyalty, you have to earn it and Polk has earned mine and I tell everyone I know about Polk Audio.

    Don't forget the little guy and you will always have the loyalty you have earned and deserve.

    Thanks Polk Audio!
  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited March 2007
    There are three products I own which I rely on and can trust. My Big Ben windup alarm clocks, Coleman camping products and my Polk speakers. They "git er done". I own the vintage line of speakers because I like the sound they produce. Polk Audio to me is the sound and dependability of the Monitor and SDA products. Whether a Monitor 4, a SDA, or anything in between; the music coming from them is simply put, just plain fun. I know I'm home when I see my Polks.

    The speakers I own are:

    SDA SRS 2
    SDA SRS 2.3TL
    Monitor 10B (2 pair)
    Monitor 7B (2 pair)
    Monitor 7 Peerless
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,987
    edited March 2007
    To me?


    ////// and//////, plus /////// (just kidding):D



    Great customer service.
    Awesome product for the price.
    Incredible mid-bass and mids sound.
    White lab coat.
    Hell of a good price given the sound as compared to many other speaker manufacturers.
    At performance levels......POUNDING OF CHEST without distortion.
    Nice build......Quality.
    Did I mention price yet?:p

    Accuracy.;)
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited March 2007
    I think Jeff hits something on a solid note. Let me know what audio company has a representative that WANTS to come to some nerdfest gathering, like our annual Polkfest?

    Don't forget your love for our resident Texan....he started alot of this machine but that's for another thread. We're borderline crazy but since TX PF II(2003-Texas-Russman) our forum has been supported by some hardcore Polk heavyweights....and a couple of them keep coming back for MORE!

    Al Ballard
    Paul DiComo
    Hedy Klopfer
    Stu Lumsden
    Matt Polk
    Ken Swauger

    Every one of them has attended a Polkfest at one time or another. There's been 2 official Polk HQ tours and Jeff nailed it....we were like royalty/VIP that day. EVERYONE tour related was engaging and had a genuine interest to school us on their areas of expertise. Simply outstanding.

    *Now back to your regularly scheduled programming*
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,238
    edited March 2007
    Well, there's not a whole lot I can add to the discussion.

    I'm quite surprised that no one mentioned the "heart-dotted-'i'"

    As for my first Polk's, I succumbed to Crutchfield's advertising about 1995/96 and bought some MM (that's Mobile Monitor, not MOMO, to the young 'uns) for my pick-up and later some dx 4x6's for the rear. I talked my lil' sis into getting a dB 10" for her 200sx about a year or so later. Then some RT55's, a CS350ls, RT55i's, a pair of SDA-1c's, and finally some SDA-SRS's.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK 42" HDTV | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Wyred 4 Sound STP/SE Pre | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2007
    World Class & World's Finest Customer Service;
    Dollar for Dollar best products
    Personable Owners


    First Polk product 1984-1985 SDA/SRS
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited March 2007
    Every moment of owning Polk's is a pleasure. The workmanship in there products, the look, the sound, the people, all first class. Pride shows everywhere in this company, everyday and I believe this comes from the man himself Matt Polk.


    First set RT800i 1999 still rocking.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


  • sbpolk
    sbpolk Posts: 644
    edited March 2007
    Hmmm, Polk for me...

    My first Polks were RT55's, CS400, and RT25's, I think I bought those in 99. It was a wonderful system. I listened to the RT55's in Circuit City, and then ended up purchasing the whole system from a boutique store for an awesome deal. I later swapped the 55's and the 400's for 55i's and a 400i. That was my core system for a long time. When the new RTi series was released, I picked up Cherry RTi70's and a CSi40. Had those for a couple of years, and then sold them about a year and a half ago when I sold my house.

    I got into my new house, and went the rounds with several other speakers, and several other brands. I just couldn't find that "Polk" sound I knew and loved. I was not impressed with the looks of the current generation of RTi speakers, so I ended up going back to the "old" Rti's. I now have RTi70's in black, CSi40, RTi28's, and FXi30's. I love these speakers. I have looked at the current RTi line, and at the upcoming RTi line, and I really prefer the old veneer, the old grill cloth material, and the old Polk Logo found on the generation that I own. I am really dissapointed to see the logo changing!!

    I really want to upgrade to LSi15's, LSi7's, LSiC, and LSiFX's..... Maybe someday soon. I didn't know what was missing until a recent visit to Showcase (Tweeter) and listened to LSi15's with a nice amp.

    When I think of Polk Audio, I feel comfortable.... not really with anything in particular, I just get a good feeling! I have recommended Polk Audio to many friends and family members, most of whom ended up going that direction. They are just a good, safe speaker for me.

    It seemed that when I bought my first set of polks back in '99, Polk was regarded as a good boutique brand speaker. When you told someone in the know that you had Polks, the response was generally very positive. Nowdays, that seems to have changed. It seems like unless the person has firsthand experience with anything higher than monitors, the response is generally negative. I wonder if this is a result of Polk hanging their hat on the Monitor an RM lines, and on Circuit City. It seems like the Polk Brand is much weaker now than it was eight years ago. That is too bad because LSi's and RTi's are really great speakers.

    I think Polk might be coming around again though, as is evidenced by the fantastic new crop of in wall speakers that have generated a tremendous amount of buzz in the boutique shop realm. That has really put Polk back on the map, and I think has many people taking Polk seriously again. I hope that Polk can roll that momentum into higher end cabinet speakers, and really hit a homerun with a future release of new LSi's, and maybe even something higher end. A high end THX Ultra2 bookshelf setup would be awesome....

    Well that is the end of my tale.... I love polk speakers, and would like to see a re-emergence of Polk as a player in the higher end world!

    Oh, last thing. The forum has been awesome. Priceless really! Good people on here, it is shocking that it has stayed THIS good for THIS long!
    "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited March 2007
    Polk Audio is:

    High value audio products - you get more than you paid for in comparison to most competing products
    Old School customer service - you still remember who pays the bills
    Writing the textbook in brand building and loyalty - see the comments about Club Polk and supporting/interacting with your customers
    The visual of Matt Polk in the white lab coat that you used in the '80's will forever be etched in my mind!

    Bought my first Polk Audio product in 1985.

    Keep up the good work!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
  • Polk65
    Polk65 Posts: 1,405
    edited March 2007
    -A person and product readily comes to mind. Many companies have catchy names but trying to figure out what they are selling is sometimes impossible.
    -The sound from their speakers is addictive.
    -Their speakers have rubber surrounds that will last.
    -Accurate sound that I can afford.
    -I want my friends to hear these.
    -Performance for my paycheck.
    -They keep coming up with cutting edge products.
    -Their forum attracts and retains non-Polk Audio owners.
    -Their forum is family.
    -Company involvement with forum members at annual get-togethers is awesome.
    -Opening their doors to forum members for headquarters visits. This made me feel like a kid going to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.
    -This is one of those companies that employees must like coming to work.

    Their customer service raises the bar.
    -I've never had a long wait time.
    -Those who answer the phones are understandable both with their technical speak and lack of accent.
    -A caring company that makes replacement parts for older models.
    -No games. If it's within warranty, they will replace it. If not, give them a call. They will offer suggestions for repair.
    -I will buy from again.

    I don't remember exactly when I brought SRS 2.3's home. I do remember exchanging them within a year when the "new" TL version became available.
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2007
    It's pretty much all been said,, Polk Audio--" They Care"

    Products, 1990--11 T's
    followed by, Sda 1c x3
    SDA SRS 2
    SDA SRS 2.3
    mon. 5 & 5 jr and 7c's

    Edit; notice how the words customer service keeps poping up? Customer Service-the key to success, Polk does NOT forget about the customer after the sale,,product support,, and doing the right thing,,just makes you feel good.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited March 2007
    All of the above is why we continue to seek Polk products. AKA George sneaking into Florida for some 1C's. Ha Ha

    Enjoy,engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2007
    engtaz wrote:
    All of the above is why we continue to seek Polk products. AKA George sneaking into Florida for some 1C's. Ha Ha

    Enjoy,engtaz


    why don't you run over there and pick them up for me,,keep them until thanksgiving and I'll pick them up when I visit my wifes family on turkey day? :eek: :D:D:D
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
  • liordra
    liordra Posts: 152
    edited March 2007
    well thought through product Design,
    which makes products to good value for money.
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited March 2007
    Two pages? That's IT? You slackers!

    Ok, first, in context of who Polk was, when I was a newbie.....and the folks that I try to 'bring in to the fold' have similar impressions. Anyway, before I knew anything about audio, I knew the name Polk Audio, it SOUNDED (the name) higher end as opposed to say Infinity or JBL. Why, I don't know. Maybe because 'audio' was in the title. In college and thereafter I knew a few guys that were stereo guys. Many of them had Polk speakers. What I'm getting at is that I always associated Polk as a premium product. At least in terms of the general public's perception.

    What does Polk mean to me now? Well, one word? Home. I honestly view my association with Polk as more of a reasonably close friendship basis more than a retailer/customer relationship. By design or not, that's how I see it nor do I think that my situation is unique.

    Now, second to none CS, astronomical price/performance ratio....etc etc, that's all true but to a lot of us it's more than that. It's personal.

    When I buy a Polk product, it's not a case of...ok, here is our widget. It's more a case of Matt, George, Al, Paul, Jim, Ken handing over to me something and saying this is our product, we are proud of it. This is why were proud of it. We think, within parameters, it's the best product you can get and that is important to us. Now that have one of our products, here is the secret Polk handshake. I dunno...it's hard to explain but hopefully you get my drift. Anyhow, I own other speakers and (blasphemy) I think some of them are better than Polk speakers (ie Quads). I do not, however, have an emotional attachment to the Quads. I also, as many of you know, own 2.3tl's. If money got tight, I would sell the Quads. No biggie, something else will come along. My 2.3tl's....I could be HOMELESS and I'd be humping down the street in a shopping cart.

    Many of us remember when Micah left there was a fear (and this surface again with the DEI thing) that we would lose that sense of community with Polk. That was a real and palpable, if unfounded, fear. The fear was not so much about the gear, but the atmosphere and personal bond. Al said this:
    While Micah may have put his unique spin on it, Micah picked up the culture of Polk...not the other way around.
    ...and there you have it, the culture of Polk....cool shiite.

    1999 - RT7's
    2007-SDA 2.3tl's, CRS+, R10, R15, Atrium45, Mon7A, 5's


    Anyway, that's my story.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • jacob.simpson
    jacob.simpson Posts: 481
    edited March 2009
    POLK Products has huge competition yes its their own CS department :D i dont need to elaborate on this further...:D
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited March 2009
    POLK Products has huge competition yes its their own CS department :D i dont need to elaborate on this further...:D

    Well... You might want to because I don't understand what you are implying. :rolleyes:
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3

    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
  • jacob.simpson
    jacob.simpson Posts: 481
    edited March 2009
    a_mattison wrote: »
    Well... You might want to because I don't understand what you are implying. :rolleyes:
    Some companies have excellent products in their portfolio, but pathetic Customer Service, Now here is one company which produces some of the best speakers and then there is CS department which equally serves its customers in their own style, I cant recall till now in electronics or in Audio in general such Co ordination between CS and Sales Dept is acheived.(exception to Very High end made to order specialists)
    Hope i was able to answer a bit about it.:)
    Its always best have Healthy competition within any company in a co ordinated manner between various depts