How to identify genuine polk speakers?

RedBrave
RedBrave Posts: 15
edited October 2008 in Speakers
I bought Polk RTi A5 speakers from ebay. There were listed as brand new in the box. They are yet to arrive. Is there any way to know whether they are genuine or if anything has been modified/replace in them.
Post edited by RedBrave on
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited October 2008
    I am sure there must be a way like pulling the speakers and checking the backs of the drivers for part numbers.
    Welcome to the forum I am sure someone here will inform you how to make the determination.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited October 2008
    A serial number is a good start. If you are really worried after that, I would pull the drivers and board and make sure they have all the correct markings/labels. If those things checked out, I'd sleep easy.
    Jake
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  • RedBrave
    RedBrave Posts: 15
    edited October 2008
    I'll definitely check the serial numbers. Is it that easy to pull out the drivers and boards? I have never done it and don't want to damage the speakers myself.
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  • RedBrave
    RedBrave Posts: 15
    edited October 2008
    Also, can we call Polk customer service and verify the serial numbers with them? Just to make sure the number is not a hacked one...
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited October 2008
    RedBrave wrote: »
    Also, can we call Polk customer service and verify the serial numbers with them? Just to make sure the number is not a hacked one...

    Don't you think all these questions should have been asked/answered *before* you bought them.

    Typically an unauthorized Polk seller (still selling genuine Polk products, but not authorized by Polk) will strip the serial numbers. They will still list them as "NIB". You will have no warranty support.

    Generally you won't find "pirated" Polk products. That is something stating it's Polk but had different cabinets, drivers, etc. It happens I'm sure, it is ebay, but probably not too often.

    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!
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  • tboo72
    tboo72 Posts: 225
    edited October 2008
    I wasnt aware there wer fakes going around
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  • RedBrave
    RedBrave Posts: 15
    edited October 2008
    heiney9,

    I searched before posting this but couldn't get any hits. I wanted any specific things to look for in identifying genuine polk speakers. That is the reason I posted.
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  • BjornB17
    BjornB17 Posts: 752
    edited October 2008
    polk speakers have a failry identifyable sound signature, and if you are familiar with the sound of other speakers in the same product line, that should help you make a determination.
    KEF Q150 | Rythmik F12 | Yamaha Aventage RX-A780
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited October 2008
    RedBrave wrote: »
    heiney9,

    I searched before posting this but couldn't get any hits. I wanted any specific things to look for in identifying genuine polk speakers. That is the reason I posted.

    I'm sure you'll be fine as far as them being genuine Polk speakers. You just lose the retailer support and warranty support; hence the cheaper cost.

    Another idea would have been to look here under the "Where to Buy" tab as see if the store you were buying from is listed as an authorized dealer.

    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!
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited October 2008
    I find this fascinating.

    Would the same info be requested if the purchase was a new-in-the-box AV receiver from a big name manufacturer, acquired through the auction site?
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited October 2008
    I just bought some RTI A3 bookshelf speakers two weeks ago for $140 new. That's less than one speaker itself. Not to worried about warranty. In rare event I do need a driver or tweeter I still have $240 worth of savings on these speakers.
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  • RedBrave
    RedBrave Posts: 15
    edited October 2008
    Received RTi A5s few days back. Hooked them up and they sound great.

    There were in mint condition, including the serial numbers.

    Thanks every one for the help.
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  • cmyoumans1996
    cmyoumans1996 Posts: 1
    I have Polk audio speakers S/N 002936. Trying to fig out which speakers these are. They’re bookshelf style. On the back it has stereo dimensional and Im trying to fig how to connect to receiver because when you hook up from either left or right amp channel one side is way louder than other side. What am I doing wrong
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,494
    edited June 2023
    cmyoumans1996 wrote: »
    I have Polk audio speakers S/N 002936. Trying to fig out which speakers these are. They’re bookshelf style. On the back it has stereo dimensional and Im trying to fig how to connect to receiver because when you hook up from either left or right amp channel one side is way louder than other side. What am I doing wrong

    Post pics of the front without the grill and also of the rear panel.

    The S/N is no help in identifying them.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • ChrisD06
    ChrisD06 Posts: 929
    The only things I'd be concerned of is different drivers.

    Does it have a power port?
    Pull the crossover, does it look authentic? (Google for reference)
    Do the drivers all have the Polk model number on them?
    Does the grille have the Polk logo on it?

    I'd personally only be concerned about the tweeter diaphragm possibly being changed. Ebay has tons of aftermarkets for different Polks.

    Speaking of which, @VR3 do you have any experience with those aftermarket tweeter voicecoil+diaphragms for Polks? I've been curious for a whole how they are...
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,494
    ChrisD06 wrote: »
    The only things I'd be concerned of is different drivers.

    Does it have a power port?
    Pull the crossover, does it look authentic? (Google for reference)
    Do the drivers all have the Polk model number on them?
    Does the grille have the Polk logo on it?

    I'd personally only be concerned about the tweeter diaphragm possibly being changed. Ebay has tons of aftermarkets for different Polks.

    Speaking of which, @VR3 do you have any experience with those aftermarket tweeter voicecoil+diaphragms for Polks? I've been curious for a whole how they are...

    Huh?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    I can't say I've ever done those but I know @xschop is into that
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • ChrisD06
    ChrisD06 Posts: 929
    @F1nut What's "huh?"....?

    If you're referring to the tweeter diaphragm comment, look up SL6502 on Ebay and you'll see what I mean.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,610
    If you open the top driver, Matt Polk signs the inside of all of the products
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,494
    ChrisD06 wrote: »
    @F1nut What's "huh?"....?

    If you're referring to the tweeter diaphragm comment, look up SL6502 on Ebay and you'll see what I mean.

    Member cmyoumans1996 is asking about an SDA speaker, likely the CRS or CRS+. Neither has a power port.

    The post previous to his is from 2008!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • ChrisD06
    ChrisD06 Posts: 929
    @F1nut Bahahahaha okay that one gave me a good laugh.

    I entirely forgot the forum will show dates based on last reply, so I just read the original post and replied to it like a moron.

    Right... that's embarrassing. To my credit I have no idea why someone revived a 15 year old thread randomly.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,494
    edited June 2023
    To my credit I have no idea why someone revived a 15 year old thread randomly.

    Necroposting gets all of us every now and then. B)

    Shame that cmyoumans1996 never bothered to respond.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,000
    VR3 wrote: »
    I can't say I've ever done those but I know @xschop is into that

    Easy-peasy on dome repairs.
    I've also Power-Ported a pair of CRS+ too, beating Polk to it on a set of SDA's.🙂
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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