Polk Audio coming to Best Buy in June

furball

Can high end Denon or Yamaha receivers properly power the LSi speakers?

polktiger wrote: »

If Polk lets BB Magnolia carry LSi; I really hope they require Magnolia to stock at least one amp option to drive them. I really hate that so many places carry LSi; but so few actually have amps.

furball

First day in grade one, from all those many moons ago, your teacher must have told you: "be polite to your fellow classmates, and watch your language."

halo wrote: »

Keep Trolling

heiney9

Yashu wrote: »

Troy, you're an idiot. I have more than one set of speakers, and I gave the BB Polk effort a thumbs up, I only said that customers are going to be mislead. I mean for ****'s sake, to use your language, they don't even sell proper amplification at the other big box Polk dealers... Frys, Tweeter, ect... so get off your high horse and go flame someone else.

Best buy is what it is, a big box HT store... it isn't a little hifi dealer that can setup a proper demo, infact, the RTiA and TSi be on the main floor, that means right in the middle of 500 people, no working demos, and when they are, connected to some no name 5.1 receiver. Yeah, real good way to sell a product that is supposed to be high end. LSi might find a place in Magnolia, but you still can't have a proper demo without the right components, which BB doesn't sell.

I also said that JBL, while made some great speakers, have also made some real stinkers, and they are going to be sitting right next to your beloved Polks in BB, connected to the same demo box and no name receiver.

If Polk wants to pick up this type of market they need to work to make their speakers sound good on the equipment that people are most likely going to buy... and it almost seems as if Polk has gone out of it's way to make it hard for buyers to setup a proper system. You have to get the speakers at BB or whatever, then do mounds of research to find out what amp(s) to buy, then find a local tiny hifi shop in town or online and buy it... like WTF!?!

They had a chance to take this TSi, and build it around the equipment that people are most likely going to be buying or already own, but no, they decided to cop out and basically use the same parts from RTiA in a different cabinet. I am not saying any of these are bad speakers, I am saying that Polk is now being run by their marketing department, regardless of how many great engineers they have, it doesn't matter if joe bloggs can't buy the speakers and the rest of the stuff at the same store and have it sound good. A few tweaks and this new series would have been much more friendly to the kind of equipment it's most likely going to be paired with, but obviously marketing just wants to get the brand out there regardless of anything rational. You would not understand that, troy, you are irrational. You take internet flaming to a whole new level sometimes... sometimes I wonder if the army amps you guys up on roids or something before releasing you to the world. I am sure all your buddies will take their place at your feet, and that's fine... I have a right to my opinion, and so does anyone else that doesn't tow your party line.

Polk makes fine speakers, but they market them terribly. It is as simple as that. A little research on their part, and a little work on the engineer's part to work with what people are most likely going to pair them with, would go a looong way. The silver lining to the cloud of strange marketing antics, is that at least we now have another place to go to get Polk speakers, and a place to tell our friends to go, but that doesn't change the fact that these speakers need more than some Insignia 5.1 channel syrup of ipecac for your ears receiver.

There was a time in Polk's legacy, where you *could* find a model that did work with lower power amplification, yet still sounded, refined, warm, full, and fun to listen to.

Polk's engineers are not the problem, troy, it's their overzealous marketing department that obviously isn't in touch with the new markets they are trying to penetrate.

Now don't write a big yashu insultathon and have you and your friends send me threatening PMs again, ok friend? I said all I have to say about this subject and wish for it not to explode into something you have to publicly apologize for... again.

Sounds like you should have bought Polk Audio and kicked Matt out and done everything from R & D and marketing a lot better. I mean they are a company just making ends meet. You are a douchebag because unless you dissected and listened to every new Polk offering (in the TSi and RTiA line) and compared it in extensive listening and measuring tests, examined the engineering process and materials you are just blowing smoke out your ****. All of your observations and guesses are way off because believe it or not Polk has been a profitable and very recognized brand both by the public and in their own industry, so that might tell all except those that ride the short bus they are doing things correctly despite your uneducated and unresearched opinion.

You continue to troll and make controversial posts for no other reason than to see your name in the figurative lights.

H9

heiney9

furball wrote: »

Can high end Denon or Yamaha receivers properly power the LSi speakers?

The search button is your friend, it's been covered a thousand times. Or better yet stop at Best Buy and ask one of the sales associates they will be glad to help.

polktiger

furball - the LSi line is 4 ohm, and a tough load to drive. Top of the line Yamaha and Dennon can get sound out of them, and satisfy some users, but the amp section of those AVRs are not really designed to push 4 ohm loads for long if at all. There are a ton of thread that will go in to much more detail. I simply give you the gist.

DarqueKnight

furball wrote: »

Guess what, that lady just exploded right then and there on the scene. And the reason, she said that she just paid over $100 for cables, when she purchased her flat screen TV. Because the sales rep at Best Buy, where she bought her new TV, told her that she needed these cables to hook up to her new digital cable box.

$100 down the drain, for cables that she would have gotten for free along with her new digital cable box.

Another Worst Buy success story in fleecing unsuspecting customers.

They don't allow merchandise returns at the Best Buys in your area?

Yashu wrote: »

If Polk wants to pick up this type of market they need to work to make their speakers sound good on the equipment that people are most likely going to buy... and it almost seems as if Polk has gone out of it's way to make it hard for buyers to setup a proper system. You have to get the speakers at BB or whatever, then do mounds of research to find out what amp(s) to buy, then find a local tiny hifi shop in town or online and buy it... like WTF!?!

The good thing about stores like Best Buy is that you can return the product with no hassle if it does not work for you. I can't see where Polk has made it "hard" for people to setup a proper system. If an individual is interested in quality sound or quality anything, then a certain amount of effort and self education is required on the part of the consumer. I don't understand why people are expected to use common sense, adequate judgement, and consumer research when buying automobiles, kitchen appliances and shoes, but an audio manufacturer is expected to "hold the consumer's hand" for audio purchases.

If people want to pair quality speakers with crappy electronics, that is their perogative as a consumer. I don't understand why it should be encumbent upon Polk to facilitate such foolishness.

The Judge

Last time I was in BB I noticed they are now selling H-K. A good one to go with the Polk line.

tonyb

furball wrote: »

Another story to tell about Worst Buy.

The other day I was at my local Time Warner Cable office to upgrade my cable box. There was a lady in front of me. Like me, she just bought a new flat screen TV, and she was switching her old analog cable box to a new digital cable box.

Well, her number came up, and she went to the customer service desk, and told the customer service rep that she wanted to switch her cable box. The customer service rep took her old box, and gave her a new one, along with some component cables. The lady was perplexed, and asked what are the cables for. The customer service rep told her that these are for hooking up the new digital cable box to her new flat screen TV, and are provided to her for free as part o the upgrade.

Guess what, that lady just exploded right then and there on the scene. And the reason, she said that she just paid over $100 for cables, when she purchased her flat screen TV. Because the sales rep at Best Buy, where she bought her new TV, told her that she needed these cables to hook up to her new digital cable box.

$100 down the drain, for cables that she would have gotten for free along with her new digital cable box.


Another Worst Buy success story in fleecing unsuspecting customers.

How is that BB 's fault? Did they know the customers cable company would give her the cables? Probably not. Plus,can't she return the cables to best buy for a refund ? Sales people aren't mind readers for christ sake.

dorokusai

Polk Audio invests alot of time, money and effort into market research prior to product development. I imagine this is what all large scale manufacturers do since that's how you run a successful business.

Just because you don't like the loudspeaker that was designed and eventually marketed, is a drop in the bucket from a global perspective.

When you start your own speaker company Yashu, please sign me up for the first set of demos.

rainman31

furball wrote: »

Worst Buy: "Would you like to purchase an extended warranty ?"
You: "No."
Worst Buy: "But we have super duper coverage with our extended warranty."
You: "No."
Worst Buy: "But we can repair your product if something happens."
You: "I have manufacturer's warranty."
Worst Buy: "But that's only for one year."
You: "American Express doubles the warranty period."
Worst Buy: "But our extended warranty is better."
You: "Better:rolleyes:, like anyone in your repair department has any clue on how to fix anything."
...
Worst Buy: "But... but... but... [selling extended warranties is what makes us the most money, like selling those gift cards]
Worst Buy: "Okay, it's your loss".
You: "Thank God."

Worst Buy: "Would like some Monster cables to go along with that?"
You: "I have my own cables."
Worst Buy: "But Monster cables sound the best."
You: "I don't believe it."
Worst Buy: "But look how pretty those cables are."
You: "I'm not a 3 year old."
Worst Buy: "But... but... [selling Monster cables is our second most profitable business, right after selling those extended warranties]
Worst Buy: "Okay, it's your loss."
You: "Thank God."

Gee .... you're right ! That was tough ! Now the salesclerk doesn't like me!

:rolleyes:

thats a funny post

TroyD

Yashu,

Suck it long and suck it hard.

S. Connery

George Grand

Troy,

I don't think you're an idiot, despite what the kid said.

George

furball

Thank you. I'll look into those.

I only asked because the other day I was at Magnolia, and saw some really hefty Denon receivers. Was wondering if Magnolia carried the LSi line, would those Denon receivers be able to drive them to their full potential. I talked to the salesperson at Magnolia, he told me that as a rule, since Best Buy doesn't sell preamps/amps, Magnolia doesn't sell preamps/amps either, they only carry high end receivers.

polktiger wrote: »

furball - the LSi line is 4 ohm, and a tough load to drive. Top of the line Yamaha and Dennon can get sound out of them, and satisfy some users, but the amp section of those AVRs are not really designed to push 4 ohm loads for long if at all. There are a ton of thread that will go in to much more detail. I simply give you the gist.

mrbigbluelight

Me wrote:

Best Buy: "Would you like to purchase an extended warranty ?"
You: "No".
Best Buy: "Okay".

furball wrote: »

Worst Buy: "Would you like to purchase an extended warranty ?"
You: "No."
Worst Buy: "But we have super duper coverage with our extended warranty."
You: "No."
Worst Buy: "But we can repair your product if something happens."
You: "I have manufacturer's warranty."
Worst Buy: "But that's only for one year."
You: "American Express doubles the warranty period."
Worst Buy: "But our extended warranty is better."
You: "Better:rolleyes:, like anyone in your repair department has any clue on how to fix anything."
...
Worst Buy: "But... but... but... [selling extended warranties is what makes us the most money, like selling those gift cards]
Worst Buy: "Okay, it's your loss".
You: "Thank God."

Worst Buy: "Would like some Monster cables to go along with that?"
You: "I have my own cables."
Worst Buy: "But Monster cables sound the best."
You: "I don't believe it."
Worst Buy: "But look how pretty those cables are."
You: "I'm not a 3 year old."
Worst Buy: "But... but... [selling Monster cables is our second most profitable business, right after selling those extended warranties]
Worst Buy: "Okay, it's your loss."
You: "Thank God."

Gee .... you're right ! That was tough ! Now the salesclerk doesn't like me!

:rolleyes:

Well, I guess that's the difference.

ME: "No".
YOU: " <insert life story, after allowing yourself to get drug into a
debate with the BB salesperson> "

I have a feeling that even if you do buy their Triple-Lifetime-Extended Warranty, that salesclerk still isn't going to like you.

.....just a sneaking suspicion.

....you're probably familiar with that, though.


:rolleyes:

furball

If that sales clerk is a blond bombshell, I would be very disappointed if she still doesn't like me after I dished out $200 in warranty upgrade. But if that sales clerk is any average Joe Schmuck, who gives a damn, I have better things to do with my $200.

mrbigbluelight wrote: »

I have a feeling that even if you do buy their Triple-Lifetime-Extended Warranty, that salesclerk still isn't going to like you.

:rolleyes:

DarqueKnight

Yashu wrote: »

Best buy is what it is, a big box HT store... it isn't a little hifi dealer that can setup a proper demo, infact, the RTiA and TSi be on the main floor, that means right in the middle of 500 people, no working demos, and when they are, connected to some no name 5.1 receiver. Yeah, real good way to sell a product that is supposed to be high end.

I sure wish Pass Labs gear was sold at Best Buy. Can you imagine the benefits and convenience of being able to take quality gear home and then return it with no questions asked and full refund if it does not work out? My point is, by making a quality audio product easily accessible through a national retail chain, the manufacturer is actually facilitating the best type of demo there is: in home evaluation.

Yashu wrote: »

LSi might find a place in Magnolia, but you still can't have a proper demo without the right components, which BB doesn't sell.

You really can't have a proper demo with the "right" components even in a high end audio salon. All you can get from any store demo is a "feel" or "impression" for what a pair of speakers might sound like with your associated components in your listening environment.

Yashu

You are missing my point... I should know a bit about marketing, and I can tell you that this is not a well thought out plan here, guys. Polk, and really Directed Electronics, is looking at the short term... just get the brand into the store. They should be looking at the market as a whole... anyone with even some understanding of macroeconomics should easily see that Polk, while making good speakers, is not really concerned about the consumer experience here. If they were, they would not be trying to offer caviar and fillet menon at Mcdonalds, catch my drift? If they really were trying to penetrate this market properly, they would be offering a better tasting hamburger. What I am trying to say is that Polk is selling speakers that are meant to be paired with electronics that *most* people shopping at that store, either don't have, or don't even know they need. They are going to hook the speakers up to their insignia recievers and wonder why it sounds no better than their friend's Bose HTIB. This is NOT good marketing... this is not how to bring praise to your brand. Is there even *one* major chain that offers Polk as well as something beyond Denon, Onkyo, and H/K? Why isn't Polk using it's weight to try to get some higher end brands into the stores to better sell both their speakers, and the higher end experience in general?

If they cannot do that, or are not willing, Polk should be producing at least one speaker that is designed to perform well on these low and midfi units. I am not talking about "sound will come out of it" well, I mean something that makes people go "wow"... something that they are NOT likely to return for something else because it DOES sound good with their old gear, or the type of gear sold at these stores. No, Polk decided to just toss their products out there to the wall and hope that some stick.

I don't see why these concepts are so hard for some people to understand. It is very basic. Some of you guys seem to desire, very badly, might I add, for me to be saying that Polk sucks. Troy, suck your own, and listen to me, Polk makes good speakers, they market them badly.

Why are they not trying to make inroads with some of the midfi manufacturers to work with them and to help create something that is going to work well with the combinations of gear that people are most likely to buy? It would be a win-win for both Directed and Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, H/K, and so on... These are very basic concepts... People aren't even asking these questions, I don't know why. If you love Polk so much, why are you putting down what could make them a stronger company, stronger brand, and stronger influence on the public's perception of audio, the high end, and it's accessibility.

If people want to pair quality speakers with crappy electronics, that is their perogative as a consumer. I don't understand why it should be encumbent upon Polk to facilitate such foolishness.

This shows your ignorance when it comes to the target markets of these products. You actually expect people to do research? You expect them to actually even know their electronics suck? You are making the same mistake that so many companies make, which is underestimate the stupidity of the average consumer. I am sorry, but that's it... very blunt.

You and I are not the average consumer... none of us are if we have even made it here to the forums. The average consumer walks into BB, gets told a bunch of garbage by some guy paid on commission, and then goes home to an underwhelming experience, and either shrugs it off, or goes and tells their friends not to buy Polk and whatever else, or even worse, returns it all for an easier to setup HTIB system and saves the extra cash for some DVDs, and then goes and tells their friends how great their HTIB is and how they don't need to even consider Polk or any of the associated equipment. How do you think Bose became so popular..? You think it because they sound good? Bose is actually a very good example of marketing applied correctly.

Directed DOES have to take some kind of responsibility here, they can, and they should, otherwise they are going to continue to lose marketshare. They are in a position to change things for the better, why not take it, or, what is keeping them from doing it? They make great speakers... but they need more than that in this globalized economy, and with a possible recession on the horizon, they are going to need more than just tossing good product at the wall to see what sticks. Polk, Directed Electronics, thinks they can sit on their asses because they are in so many stores... that may have worked before, but things are very rapidly changing. The RIAA and MPAA, or Ford and GM, have only proven so very much that if you move too slow, the market will outpace you.

dkg999

Yashu - did yo'mama tell you that the person who writes the most words wins? Give it up already!

Monster Jam

Well, with our Tweeter closed, Frys no longer carrying LSi line (dropping Polk in its entirety?), and CC carrying lower-end lines, I was wondering where one would buy Polk from.

Still, I think I'll continue to do business with the Crutchfield, BHPhoto and JR Music's of the world.

NotaSuv

Rike255 wrote: »

Best Buy employees like to force their electronics "knowledge" on unsuspecting customers.

LOL the one near me which is right next to the Corp HQ in MN has the most unknowledgable sales people I have yet to talk with....yes it is also amazing to listen to the crap they spew..especially to those who don't know better..i think they all must sell a certain % of useless over priced wires and cords to earn their pay checks....but if there at the right time you can pick-up some great deals especially on discontinued stock..last time there i picked up my Monages for $695.00 a pair...then asked for and got the "open box" discount on top of that ....

WilliamM2

Polk makes fine speakers, but they market them terribly. It is as simple as that.

So when should we expect them to file cahpter 11?:rolleyes:

WilliamM2

If they cannot do that, or are not willing, Polk should be producing at least one speaker that is designed to perform well on these low and midfi units.

One speaker? Polk has many lines of speakers, check the link at the top of the page. Many, actually most of them, will work just fine on recievers.

cfrizz

You just said it all right here Yashu! We are a very small minority, the rest of the population just doesn't know or give a damn for that matter.

The purpose is to make money selling speakers in as many outlets as they can. Pay attention to the visitors compared to the regulars numbers on this forum at any given time. How much you want to bet they are new owners getting their knowlege expanded? Once that knowledge is expanded & new ideas start to flow they graduate to the next level.

They didn't get it and never will get it in any store! No store can do that, but as long as Polk is in the store to buy, then Polk makes money & hopefully the customer will then do further research in the the speakers they now own & increase their knowledge.

Yashu wrote: »

You and I are not the average consumer... none of us are if we have even made it here to the forums.

treitz3

I can not fathom how a debate is started over the good news announcement that Polk is expanding and nailed a larger market share.

Congratulate them and move on.

dkg999

treitz3 wrote: »

I can not fathom how a debate is started over the good news announcement that Polk is expanding and nailed a larger market share.

Congratulate them and move on.

ding, ding, ding, we have a winner!

DarqueKnight

treitz3 wrote: »

I can not fathom how a debate is started over the good news announcement that Polk is expanding and nailed a larger market share.

Because it's Club Polk. If we stayed on subject we'd be just like all the other forums.;)

Willow

RuSsMaN wrote: »

This is a GREAT move for Best Buy AND Polk/QUOTE]

I think so, one reason I never go to BB is that they sell Bose, Infinity and JBL, not a great selection.

SKsolutions

A slim, deep, tower a la LSi would really blow my skirt up.

TroyD

Yashu,

You are so off base it's not even worth the time addressing.

Safe to say that Polk is far from being a washed up, soul-less company like, say, JBL.

Matt has always said that it's his goal to put good sounding speakers in the hands of as many people as possible. Hooking up with BB does seem like it fits with that. Your opinions not withstanding, Polk will, by a WIDE margin, be the best sounding speakers that BB offers.

Now as to your charge of Polks not sounding good with receivers or what not, it's your opinion and it's far from a majority one. So, basically, STFU. You said your bit, nobody is buying. Move on.

As for me, I'm not a Polk **** either. My reference speakers are Quad ESL-63's and I've owned a fair number of other brands from Carver, Dahlquist, AR, Dynaco etc etc.

Again, while YOU may not agree with Polk's strategy, they are a profitable, thriving and successful entity. All that without your help. Go figure.


BDT

wizzy

TroyD wrote: »

Safe to say that Polk is far from being a washed up, soul-less company like, say, JBL.

Dang, guess I need to sell my JBL S-38's now

And I always thought some of the newer Infiniti speakers were supposed to be not half bad ... people here seem to like the JBL/Harman Kardon AVR surround receivers too, on the low end of things.

I'm more than happy to see Polk in Best Buy myself.