Heard of Polk Audio Designs?

kab

I have a few questions that I'd like for you to chew on. They are:

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

3) What do you think of the idea?

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?


Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Al

Strong Bad

I have not heard of it. Please tell more!

TroyD

kab wrote: »

I have a few questions that I'd like for you to chew on. They are:

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

3) What do you think of the idea?

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?


Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Al

1. Nope

2. If I had to guess, cashing in on the reputation that the Polk moniker has created in the field of loudspeakers and using it on a greater variety of products.

3. Personally, I'd rather see Polk concentrate on loudspeakers but as long as it doesn't dillute the quality of the product, it is what it is.

4. It depends. Done right, I think it could be a good thing. If it's a case of just putting the Polk name on products that aren't up to the quality we expect from Polk, then this is the very thing that folks worried about when DEI came into the picture. If this isn't handled well, Polk could wind up with Advent, AR, KLH, Dynaco....another once proud brand that wound up simply prostituting the brand name out.

BDT

Ricardo

kab wrote: »

I have a few questions that I'd like for you to chew on. They are:

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

No

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

Complete systems for custom installations? HT in a box? (speakers, wires, receivers/processors/amps.....)

3) What do you think of the idea?

Cool

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?

Seeing that Polk Audio is much more than speakers today, I would think it makes sense.

WilliamM2

1. No

2. Never heard of it, so I have no idea.

3. Don't know what the idea is.

4. No way of knowing, without any information about it.

Fireman32

kab wrote: »

I have a few questions that I'd like for you to chew on. They are:

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

3) What do you think of the idea?

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?


Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Al

1. No
2. I believe that you would like to expand out with different products
3. Sounds good if done right
4. Anything that has the Polk name on will refect on the brand. Like Troy said we dont want to use the name on something that is not up to the highest standards.

ohskigod

I know there was a thread on in back in March of last year. i assumed it would just be the name used for all the stuff that isnt speakers (the Ipod stuff and whatnot)

I've know that it is inevitable that Polk has and will continue to expand on what they make beyond speakers (ipod, the dvd player thing I really liked, etc) having a slightly seperate name to differentiate that from the core speaker business is probably a good idea

Jstas

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

-- Only from cheap knock-off Taiwanese garbage sold on the back of vans in supermarket parking lots.

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

-- Haven't a clue but probably something along the lines of products that not only fit a decor but a certain "lifestyle" for lack of a better term. Stuff that fits well with everyday life. It blends in unlike a set of tower speakers and a rack full of equipment.

3) What do you think of the idea?

-- Depends. If it is meant to change the course of the entire company, bad idea. If it is meant to provide a line of products that offer the same mainstream styling that other companies like Apple have pioneered in the respective industry and still offer a performance value beyond what would be implied by the price tag then I say great idea!

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?

-- I'd have to understand better what Polk Audio Designs is to have a better understanding of how it might affect the image that is Polk Audio. However, given Polk Audio's history of innovative products aimed squarely at a need the market expresses for a price the market wants, it will only serve to better the image of Polk Audio to the general consumer and get the name in front of more faces.

AsSiMiLaTeD

i agree with TroyD 100%

carpenter

kab wrote: »

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

No

kab wrote: »

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

Stylish, I'm-a-man-that-have-no-problem-spending-80$-on-a-hair-cut type HT products? for the 21 century HT fan?

kab wrote: »

3) What do you think of the idea?

Not for me. being a caveman, I go to a barber.

kab wrote: »

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?

My first answer was no. but inlight of some changes of late I see around here at Club Polk, maybe.

kab wrote: »

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Al

Its my pleasure, sir.

DarqueKnight

kab wrote: »

I have a few questions that I'd like for you to chew on. They are:

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

No...but I like it.

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

"Polk Audio Designs" sounds "upscale". I would expect this to be a line of higher performance audiophile speakers above the LSi line. It might also include any other audiophile product the company manufactures.

3) What do you think of the idea?

Great if you are going upscale. Bad if this is just a name change for the entire company that does not signify any substantial changes (improvements) in product offerings.

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?

Name changes usually signify a change of direction. The terms "design", "designs", and "designer" have positive and upscale connotations. I hope it reflects plans for the company to move back closer to its audiophile roots.

jakelm

Polk Audio Designs = SDA , SRS and Monitor?

RuSsMaN

My MiDock studio says 'Polk Audio Designs'......

jakelm

RuSsMaN wrote: »

My MiDock studio says 'Polk Audio Designs'......

Ha, it sure does, I never noticed..

obieone

IF you're talking about higher end speakers-i.e. taking 2 LSi's to make 1 modern SDA, then charging like $7-10k / pr., something along those lines, then HELLYEAH!!!
Although, I personally couldn't afford them, it would be nice to see the LSi as a completely forward firing speaker.

Shizelbs

Never heard of it.

george daniel

Never heard of it,,just guessing that it may have something to do with high end home theater.

wizzy

1) Nope
2) Making more money
3) Don't know what it is
4) Got me

cfrizz

I have a few questions that I'd like for you to chew on. They are:

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

No I have not

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

Developing products that are current trends for mass market appeal & widespread distribution.

3) What do you think of the idea?

If it makes the company more money...go for it!

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?

If it retains the customary quality that Polk is known for and at reasonable prices then it will be a good thing. But if it's just cheap stuff that will break easily & sound bad then it won't take long for these products to drag down the rest of the Polk brand as well. So be careful, & good luck!:)


Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Al

Serendipity

kab wrote: »

I have a few questions that I'd like for you to chew on. They are:

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

3) What do you think of the idea?

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?


Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Al

1) Yes

2) To appeal to the younger crowd not necessarily into audio

3) It's a good idea, as most of my generation listens to iPods

4) No, I view it as a separate brand from the "Polk Audio" brand because it's a totally different market.

MacLeod

kab wrote: »

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

No

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)

Honestly, my gut reaction was to wince a little. I dont know why but the name doesnt sit well with me. Bose Lifestyle comes to mind.

3) What do you think of the idea?

Well it depends on what Polk Audio Designs actually is. So long as its high quality audio gear I dont think its a bad thing. I think it would be kinda cool for Polk to have a top shelf line of gear. Kinda like Honda has Acura. But if its a line of toasters and welcome mats, for shame!

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?

Hate to be repetitive but it depends. A line of top tier goods would reflect pretty good on the brand and give it more credibility to audio snobs that think Polk is just Circuit City gear as well as to the Joe Sixpack consumer looking for entry level gear. For example, knowing that Honda makes Acura and knowing how good a car that is, raises my opinion of Honda and likewise, Joe Sixpack knowing that Polk Audio Designs is outstanding gear that gets rave reviews, theyd be more comfortable and more likely to invest in a set of Monitors.

But on the flip side, if its some cheap mass market stuff then I think it cheapens the brand and just give more ammunition to the audio snobs that dont give Polk respect now.

Lowell_M

kab wrote: »

I have a few questions that I'd like for you to chew on. They are:

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

3) What do you think of the idea?

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?


Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Al

1) yes. I remember when the original press release came out, but I haven't seen any evidence of the brand since then.

2)"Polk Audio Designs" sounds more valuable than "Polk Audio" It is a brand that has action and is probably intended to elude to a quality and visually appealing design of new and innovative products. Polk currently is missing out on the mass market, in my opinion.

3) and 4) The push toward gadgetry rather than only quality speakers could help build brand awareness for Polk. There must be a central brand image manager, though, to ensure that the image around the speakers does not get diluted by the Polk Audio Design brand. Polk needs to go head to head with Bose at their price point, or slightly lower at better performance. Don't mess with the $200 HTIB concept. This would dilute the brand image. The I-Sonic is the perfect example of the type of product that needs to be developed. I have never personally heard the i-sonic, but it has received very positive reviews as a quality Polk product. The next step for polk to take is to improve merchandising and advertising. Polk Audio is a very quiet brand name. There needs to be some investment into exposure to the brand in the mass market.

anyway...That's my real quick 2 cents.

reberly

1. No

2. It sounds like you are trying to create a new line above Lsi either in audio quality or physical appearance that would only be allowed to be sold to stores that have a higher degree of experience in listening to the cusomer needs and tailoring a product accordingly. Hopefully you are targeting me, someone that wants to upgrade in the future and has the money to pay for it

3. I would like to see a line above lsi if that is your intention, otherwise I would need more info

4. I am impressed with the lsi series I have and a product with even better sounds quality, fit and finish sounds like a perfect match for the Polk Audio Brand. On the contrary I wouldnt want to see a super budget brand that I could buy at Wal-mart.

Thanks for asking.

Normanality

Yes.

Our local Radio Shack lists Polk as "Polk Audio Designs" and the manager claims there will be more products coming down the line soon.

I was looking for an HD radio that I could justify buying since I can't afford the mega-hundred dollar models out now and the RS manager seems to think there is a new Polk Designs model coming out without all the bells and whistles.

I figure Polk is trying to reach out to a broader market with more generic gear.

SolidSqual

1. Polk Audio Designs was the name of the speaker company in my dreams who said "to Hell with these HT Speakers . . . Let's produce some big and bad MODERN 2 channel monsters that weigh over 200lb a piece and breath musical fire!"

2. Perhaps you want to build custom speakers for anyone's needs (but I doubt that's where you are going).

3. I think custom Polk Speakers would be an excellent idea.

4. Polk getting back to their hardcore roots would reflect well on the brand.

jcaut

1. No, never heard of it.

2. Don't really know what you have in mind, but I suspect that it's for "non-loudspeaker" equipment for the masses.

3. I still like to think of Polk as "the speaker specialists", so really I don't like the idea much. Sounds like the "me-too" approach that's all too common and never seems to result in better gear, just more of it. (This is all based on the assumption that I make in #2, above, so if I'm wrong there then the rest of this is irrelevant.)

4. I don't see how it could NOT reflect on the "Polk Audio" brand. Whether the impact is positive or negative one would depend entirely on the products offered under that name, but it would reflect on the Polk brand as it is now known, IMO.

nikolas812

No....

SKsolutions

Not heard.

Would think that it would be a way to bifurcate the electronic gizmo side from the 'we are serious about sound', speakers. It does inherently hint at either a customizable or integral/matched product. Polk=speakers P.A.D.=other stuff

nms

I'd think that you could use the label "Polk Audio Designs" to bring back some of the SDAs - market them for the "true audiophile" or something. Hell, you guys are already making all the drivers for the silly things, all you have to do is build the cabs and crossovers

Refefer

1. Nope

2. Something that's "fancy". Designs means "fancy", right? In all seriousness, it sounds like something you would put on an upscale piece of equipment, but also sounds like something you would use to branch out into other fields past speaker design.

3. As I'm just pot shotting anyways, I think it would completely depend on the execution. If it was just a matter of producing a higher class of equipment and they supported the usual Polk value, than it's a great idea. If not, well, why devalue the Polk name?

4. See number 3.

zingo

kab wrote: »

1) Have you ever heard of the brand "Polk Audio Designs" before seeing this post?

2) What do think we had in mind in creating the brand (position, products, distribution, customer, etc.)?

3) What do you think of the idea?

4) Do you think it reflects on the Polk Audio brand? If so, in what way(s)?

1) Not that I know of

2) It seems like something custom in the audio world. An "audio designs" company sounds like a home theater install company. As far as it just being the name of a company, it sounds too much like a lot of the names that come out of a white van.

3) It sounds cheap, and a bad idea.

4) No. Polk has built a good name itself and should keep it.