Polk vs PSB vs Atlantic Technology?

digitalvideo

I have a full 7.1 surround Polk system with a SVS sub. I was wondering what is a better speaker company overall for best sound for tv-sports, movies-dvd/bluray out of the companies I listed above? Looking at Sound & Vision magazine they don't have Polk rated, but they awarded Revel, PSB, Atlantic Technology, Outlaw Audio, DCM tops in their respective classes. Reading different websites and forums there seems to be a general aggreement that PSB is better than Polk. I put a lot of money into my setup and was wondering if I am getting everything out of it or if I should have looked at a different company? I know this is a Polk website, I don't want to rattle any cages, can you give me an unbiased views and opinions?

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/speakers/3034/top-speakers-in-every-class-51-channel-home-theater-systems-page2.html

My 7.1 surround setup:

Polk RTi A9 front floor tower speakrs L/R
Polk CSi A6 center speaker
Polk FXi A6 side speakers L/R
Polk RTi A3 rear speakers L/R
SVS PB12 Ultra sub

Is there a speaker company out there that is a better performer in the same price range as my setup?

thuffman03

I have heard some PSB. Very good speakers.

I have owned DCM KX12 and they are loud. I can say that about them.

Of the bunch I would most likely go with PSB. Though I would also put in the list Definitive Technology to consider.

olilugo

Digitalvideo, it seams you have a very serious system already. Do you feel something is missing?

What kinds of receiver/amp do you have?

Sorry I can not be of help since I don't use my system for sports, I can tell you my system sound excellent for 2 ch music and HT. I only use cable directly to the TV so if I am only watching the TV then I just use the TV speakers.

BB3

digitalvideo,

I read that publication often and personally I don't recall them testing a full Polk Audio speaker system together as one cohesive unit. However.....
I have read their test on the RTi-A9's, just by themselves, and to say that the writer enjoyed them would be an understatement.

Those Polks of yours are some very fine speakers and I would be honored to own them myself.

Not telling you what to do of course digitalvideo, but I would personally ask myself, do I really have the proper amplification and sound sources, before going and "shooting the lock off" on a whole new and different brand of speakers.

I think your Polk Audio speakers are very very good and can be simply outstanding with the above recommendations.

Take Care and Happy Listening digitalvideo.

---

Bill (BB3)

Face

PSB are highly overrated.

jimmydep

Digitalvideo,

I'm curious to hear what you feel is missing from the sound of your system. You have some pretty impressive speakers for home theater use, depending upon what your driving them with.
Trust your ears more than whats in print or someone else's opinion.



Jimmy

obieone

Sometimes beauty is in the ear of the beholder. If you're actually not satisfied with your rig, sell it in the FM for 50% of what you paid for it and start over:rolleyes:

Personally, I go by my OWN ears, and not what someone else thinks;)

NotaSuv

obieone wrote: »

Sometimes beauty is in the ear of the beholder. If you're actually not satisfied with your rig, sell it in the FM for 50% of what you paid for it and start over:rolleyes:

Personally, I go by my OWN ears, and not what someone else thinks;)

Your ears are the only ones that count..........opinions from others are just that........I have found PBS makes some nice speakers that sound fine for the money...also remember that being a polk board people here love polk

digitalvideo

I'm just asking based on some "Polk bashing" I read on other forums like at AVS and some others. I am not an audiophile and don't think I have an 'expert ear' and this is the first system I ever put together so I never heard any other complete full 5.1 or 7.1 surround systems by other companies.

I think it sounds good but no one in my family and none of my friends are audiophiles so I have no expert ears to listen and give advice and tell me to maybe adjust this here and place these speakers there and move the sub to this part of the room etc.

I have them hooked up to a Pioneer SC-05 reciever and Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature 400 7.1 amp.

It's set up in a 26x26 room with 8.5 foot tall ceilings over my garage so it's a big room to fill.

digitalvideo

Also, when it comes to the placement of the speakers, I'm mostly concerned about where to place the height of the side and rear speakers. Should they be at head/ear level on the sides and rears at sitting position? Should the side speakers be directly in the center side walls of the room or directly across from my head at sitting position? How high up the wall should the side speakers be? How far should the rear speakers be apart of each other on the back wall and should they be directly aimed at the back of my head or placed higher up the wall so they are like a foot or 2 feet aimed above my head?

shawn474

I own PSB's and everyone has an opinion / preference. I have owned Polk, JBL, Infinity, Cerwin Vega, Boston Acoustics, etc. To me, for the price point and for my tastes, PSB makes a damn fine speaker. I went with an all bookshelf set-up mounted on my wall and have a room that measures 18X14 to fill. With a room your size, i can pretty much guarantee that my set-up would not fill it. But, the towers might be able to.

That said, I have had the opprotunity to listen to the some of the speakers that you have and can say that you probably won't get any more satisfaction unless you step above the Image line of PSB's (which can be very pricey). I have heard many of the PSB lines and although I would love to have them, they are just overkill for my room, tastes and budget. I don't know if any of the other speakers that you are interested in can out-perform your present system as I haven't heard enough to make that determination.

With that set-up and with your equipment, I would think you should be able to fill it pretty nicely. Have you calibrated the system yet? That made a night and day difference for me.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

sucks2beme

You have a pretty good set of speakers there. Why would you dump them at a big loss and buy PSB's? To step up, you'd have to pay more than the Polk's cost new+loss on the Polks. I read reviews, but I can't tell you how often
I find reality to be much different. The current Polk lineup is better than
the old lineup a couple of years ago. I'd say stick with the Polks.
I'm using RTI's in HT, but have run through a lot of speaker brands
in my 2 channel rig. In HT, Polk's current lineup is no slouch.

Bernal

digitalvideo wrote: »

I have a full 7.1 surround Polk system with a SVS sub. I was wondering what is a better speaker company overall for best sound for tv-sports, movies-dvd/bluray out of the companies I listed above? Looking at Sound & Vision magazine they don't have Polk rated, but they awarded Revel, PSB, Atlantic Technology, Outlaw Audio, DCM tops in their respective classes. Reading different websites and forums there seems to be a general aggreement that PSB is better than Polk. I put a lot of money into my setup and was wondering if I am getting everything out of it or if I should have looked at a different company? I know this is a Polk website, I don't want to rattle any cages, can you give me an unbiased views and opinions?

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/speakers/3034/top-speakers-in-every-class-51-channel-home-theater-systems-page2.html

My 7.1 surround setup:

Polk RTi A9 front floor tower speakrs L/R
Polk CSi A6 center speaker
Polk FXi A6 side speakers L/R
Polk RTi A3 rear speakers L/R
SVS PB12 Ultra sub

Is there a speaker company out there that is a better performer in the same price range as my setup?

YOU HAVE an excellent setup. YOUR BEST ADVISORY IS HEARD. THERE ARE MANY OPINIONS. I chose Polk LSI SERIES front QUAK (http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/), SPIRE http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/spire.html) BECAUSE I AM BY LA MUSICA. IN CINEMA he with RT POLKAUDIO.

(TRANSLATED BY GOOGLE THE ADDRESS: http://www.revistacec.com/banco.asp?idart=657)
For starters, our RTi A9 has a balance and a seamless constructive honesty-his "honesty" sound will speak later, by that which is Caesar's wife to be honest, it seems, in addition to the Polk Audio has used resources and have proven amply demonstrated strengths. It has resorted to technological sophistication perfectly "marketable" in very high-end products, certainly effective, but out of place in a product positioned in this price range. However, Polk Audio has
careful with the A9 in crucial respects, and the cabinet is one of them, a turning point of the entire enclosure.

Little or nothing usual in cases of this range of prices, the A9 is an asymmetrical design with curved side panels, built in the process Damped Asymmetric Hex Laminate Isolation (Dahlia) developed by Polk Audio. It has six layers of MDF, among which there are five layers of a viscous material of an enclosure which is more rigid and acoustically inert, curved walls minimize the coloration
audible. The internal subdivision and several strategically placed reinforcements ensure a campus virtually free of parasitic resonances. The external termination is made of a layer of natural cherry wood, finished with satin varnish A9 which gives the appearance of sober undeniable distinction.

In paragraph electro, the A9 is based on a configuration with three-way bass reflex and no less than six transducers, whose set-up responds to the latest generation of Dynamic Balance technology famous Polk Audio, which, as I mentioned in previous articles, is the result of a joint research project with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Laser interferometry techniques,
Polk engineers checked the resonances of the transducer causing distortions and failures of linearity, facilitating the task of defining the combinations of materials and geometries in cones that are best suited to a response curve as flat as possible, to pressure levels sound realistic.

As a result, instead of using multi-complex structures or for construction sandwich cone bass transducers and media, Polk Audio uses polypropylene. This is a vinyl polymer resistant and lightweight, which comfortably met its function of "piston" in a speaker, and is unchanging over time, whose longevity peripheral joint efforts involving the rubber suspensions. The A9
uses three low-frequency transducer 18 cm cone design with semi-exponential, concave flap, powerful magnets and metal alloy chassis. For medium frequencies, use two 13-inch transducers of similar characteristics, the profile of the cones in conventional design.

The tweeter is based on a flexible dome-treated silk of 2.54 cm, beloved technology among purists for its lofty softness of response and overall sound quality, when associated with a set of proven quality motor. And the tweeter from the A9 is no less, with a neodymium magnet,
ferrofluid-cooled coil of low density that does not alter the performance of the transducer, and a heat sink on the back of the magnet. Extend your frequency to a respectable 26 kHz at -3 dB, which is fine for a transducer of these features. The six speakers are shielded to prevent magnetic leakage.

Unlike the patented Power Port technology, with a cone and a deflection plate installed outside the box in front of the bass reflex port, which smooths the airflow and reduce turbulence which attenuate the sound pressure at 3 dB, Power Port Plus tuning uses two ports, one on the rear plate
deflection and one on the front of the RTi A9. According to Polk Audio, Power Port Plus further reduces the turbulence in the ports and allows down more often with less noise and distortion at high sound pressure levels.

With cuts at 120 Hz and 1.8 kHz, the crossover design is an outstanding second-order attenuation of 12 dB per octave-core reactors built and Mylar capacitors, which are characterized by a discharge more Rapid charge stored in the dielectric. This filter allows bi-wiring through four good examples of terminals suitable for any termination of cable, and maintains a comfortable nominal impedance of 8 ohms, with a relatively high sensitivity of 90 dB, so the A9 not offer difficulties to a minimally decent amplification . The box rests on four metal feet fitted with rubber studs and screws to insert the tips of decoupling between the envelope of these series. The protective grid is another aspect that Polk Audio has carefully on the A9, a device that tends to cause sound waves ifracciones when it hits the frame so that the purists are
withdrawn during the hearing. Those of our guests are a floating design that leaves the grid outside the area of reflection. (TRANSLATED BY GOOGLE THE ADDRESS: http://www.revistacec.com/banco.asp?idart=657)




01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's
03) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
04) OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio / DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
05) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
06) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
07) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
09) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround speaker)
10) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround speaker)
11) VELODYNE 12" OPTIMUN SERIES (High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS

olilugo

digitalvideo wrote: »

I'm just asking based on some "Polk bashing" I read on other forums like at AVS and some others. I am not an audiophile and don't think I have an 'expert ear' and this is the first system I ever put together so I never heard any other complete full 5.1 or 7.1 surround systems by other companies.

I think it sounds good but no one in my family and none of my friends are audiophiles so I have no expert ears to listen and give advice and tell me to maybe adjust this here and place these speakers there and move the sub to this part of the room etc.

I have them hooked up to a Pioneer SC-05 reciever and Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature 400 7.1 amp.

It's set up in a 26x26 room with 8.5 foot tall ceilings over my garage so it's a big room to fill.

digitalvideo, I know exactly what you mean. Since I been there let me give you my personal feedback.
I feel for the most part in this hobby, opinions are very strong and in your face, to the point that makes you wonder and second guess your decision.
I would say if possible tune it out. Enjoy your system, learn with your system, meaning conduct experiments with placement, for example if you center channel is too high bring it lower, if your speakers are too wide apart bring them in, bring your seating closer to the TV and so on become creative and don't be afraid that you might have too big of a room. If you can try putting some room correction acoustics modules, as easy way to do that is grab a twin bed and ask someone to hold it close to one of your speakers and try to see if it improves the sound if it does look into the real stuff.
Clap around the room if you have big eco then it means you need more dampening in some areas. If the center channel does not sound loud enough and you feel you can not listen to the conversation then it might be you need a bigger center or you might need to manually adjust the gain on it.
so those are some examples.

As far as bashing, there is lots of that. I personally don't get it. As everyone tells you, sound is such a personal teats, that as long as you feel good about what you have, I think is the most important.
I think you are very lucky that everyone around you is giving you positive feedback.

Remember the important thing at the end of the day is enjoying the movie or the song you are playing. if you or your friends pay to much attention to your equipment them you and your friends are missing what’s important.
You will know when you arrived, it is when you forget about what is driving that movie, yet you feel the emotion, you feel the impact you are so involve in your movie that you feel like staying there all day long.

OK enough in conclusion. Take a step back, relax and enjoy your system. Read the forums but don't take anything your read personally as you know must of the feedback is that they have found the answer to the world, yet a few months later these same people are changing their components... too much noise.

obieone

There's plenty of SNOBS in this hobby! Ignore THEM, and listen to these guys:p


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QytPoRLEhF0

vc69

Speakers are a very subjective part of any system. My old-school rule of thumb: Find a set of speakers you like and build your system around them.
I like a LOT of different speakers. Vandersteen's come to mind as a favorite, but I can't afford a set of Vandy's so I have had to compromise. So, given my budget and some very good luck, I have settled on some older Polks. Thing is, for the money, Polk makes an amazing speaker but they are not the only speaker out there. Their are much better speakers, but be prepared to pay. There are so many other factors to consider as some have already stated. Calibration is KEY. Room correction is KEY. Room acoustics are a HUGE factor in how your given system sounds in your room. You have some excellent loudspeakers to work with. Try placement adjustments, room eq (perhaps your receiver offers this), calibration with a RS spl meter and a cood test disc... There are many, many ways to improve the sound in your setup without changing speakers. And most of them are a lot less expensive. :cool:

Good luck and I'm sure folks here will more than happy to help.

Edit: Speaker reviews are soooo skewed IMHO. I mean, you are not listening with the same ears the reviewer is, under same acoustical conditions, etc., then the review means very little to you. Ignore that crap for the most part. You are the reviewer that counts most.
People in forums mostly like to think that whatever they own is best and all others are obviously wrong. Disregard the bashing and listen to people who are positive leaning. By that I mean helpful. Anyone who just says "Polk sucks" is not being realistic. I have heard some lower line Polk stuff that I didn't like, but their middle/top tier stuff is excellent. Maybe not to everyone's liking, but it surely does not suck.

Paden501

I can only speak about two of the speaker brands that you talked about.

The first is Definative Technology. My father-in-law has a set of BP7000SC's in his main room. They're very expensive (like $2700 per speaker) and their bypolar design is supposed to widen the sound stage. All I can say about them is that hooked up to his McIntosh reciever, they are very laid back. They can also sound boomy with the powered subs turned all the way up, but having them powered seperately allows you to adjust the bass to your liking. They're nice, probably not $6000 nice but if you've got the cash to blow, why not.

The second is PSB. I've heard their Image T45s with an NAD pre and NAD amp. In that setup, they sounded very forward... the tweeter sound VERY bright... almost too harsh for my taste. They also didn't bring much bass to the table. That said, I thought that they imaged very well. They probably wouldn't fill your size room well though. Even in the much smaller room that I listened to them in, I felt like they were 'shouting' at me a little bit with the volume high.

I don't have a lot of experience with the newer Polk stuff (I'm a vintage guy), but the RTi A9s look like they bring a lot to the table, and if they're anything like the TSI's that I've heard, then you've already done very well.

vc69

digitalvideo wrote: »

Also, when it comes to the placement of the speakers, I'm mostly concerned about where to place the height of the side and rear speakers. Should they be at head/ear level on the sides and rears at sitting position? Should the side speakers be directly in the center side walls of the room or directly across from my head at sitting position? How high up the wall should the side speakers be? How far should the rear speakers be apart of each other on the back wall and should they be directly aimed at the back of my head or placed higher up the wall so they are like a foot or 2 feet aimed above my head?

A quick google:

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/129023.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-AhZ7DrYSSRe/learn/learningcenter/home/speaker_placement.html

There is a definite way to start with placement for proper HT. It is quite cut and dry actually.

danz1906

digitalvideo wrote: »

I have a full 7.1 surround Polk system with a SVS sub. I was wondering what is a better speaker company overall for best sound for tv-sports, movies-dvd/bluray out of the companies I listed above? Looking at Sound & Vision magazine they don't have Polk rated, but they awarded Revel, PSB, Atlantic Technology, Outlaw Audio, DCM tops in their respective classes. Reading different websites and forums there seems to be a general aggreement that PSB is better than Polk. I put a lot of money into my setup and was wondering if I am getting everything out of it or if I should have looked at a different company? I know this is a Polk website, I don't want to rattle any cages, can you give me an unbiased views and opinions?

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/speakers/3034/top-speakers-in-every-class-51-channel-home-theater-systems-page2.html

My 7.1 surround setup:

Polk RTi A9 front floor tower speakrs L/R
Polk CSi A6 center speaker
Polk FXi A6 side speakers L/R
Polk RTi A3 rear speakers L/R
SVS PB12 Ultra sub

Is there a speaker company out there that is a better performer in the same price range as my setup?

No, that system cant be touched for the Money!-Awesome

digitalvideo

Thanks for all your help and advice.

I was wondering about dipole/bipole speakers and where they should be placed. I have the FXi A6 on the sides and RTi A3 at the rears, is that the proper location for those specific speakers?