classic polk fan? what's changed?

Micah Cohen

I heard some pretty passionate people speak at PolkFest 09. Like Lightman, who believes that Polk, having grown bigger in the marketplace, has left behind its "grass roots" beginnings. In fact, KAB told me that Polk Audio is, indeed, the largest speaker manufacturer (at the retail level) today!

Are you a "classic Polk" afficianado? How has Polk Audio, the product and the company, changed in your eyes since you bought your first set of speakers? I'm interested in your opinions. What's missing? What got better? What do you want to see in the future, a return to the "handmade" ethos (how?) or an expansion of the brand?

I'm interested in hearing serious stories and insights.

MC

[Deleted User]

I have not paid close attention to the levels Polk has grown throughout the years. I never really cared for the classic Polk speakers either. You know, the big ones with speakers all over it. I have had quite a few experiences with the LSI series throughout the years, many came and left my hands within weeks. The first pair of LSI 9's intrigued me enough to go lurking on this forum for many years before officially joining. The thing that was missing for me was the soundstage and too laid back sounds from the LSI's. I like more detail on the vocals and instruments, as well as tighter cleaner mids and bass.

I do not see that anything has become better, because not really much has been made since the conception of the LSI series.

Today, I am curious as to how good the SDA's sound. From the endless appreciated comments on the sound of these big speakers, I could only wait for a chance to give them a listen. I am more on the end product side of things but if I were to have input on future products it would be as follows. Several members have modified their speakers by upgrading the caps, and state noticeable improvements. I draw my conclusion that the speakers lack in this area.

Halen

steveinaz

I miss the large bookshelf speakers that were popular in the 70's. Now it's either mighty-mouse size, or a floor stander. What happended to the killer trilogy? 10 or 12" woofer, 4" midrange, 1" tweeter? I'd like to see a return of the classics; ditch the silver plastic fascia, needle-width look. SDA's, in their original format, sans the cheesey particle board of the 70's.

It took Chevy, Ford, and Dodge forever to figure out their famous muscle cars would sell like hotcakes if they didn't look like Kias....BAM! Build it, and they will come.

concealer404

I miss refridgerator-shaped speakers in general. Not just from this company, either.

Yeah, towers are more convienent, but who cares?

Jstas

What's changed?

Well car audio isn't really a separate brand anymore and doesn't have a department of it's own nor any more "install bay". That's a drag. I mean, it's business and all but, kinda feels like abandonment too. Although, it was nice to finally get the SR series. Ever since the plain-jane but high performing dB series was discontinued for the DX series and then reincarnated as "entry level" to replace the aging EX series, the line was lacking a hardcore performer. But now, gone are the flashy MOMO series and embarrassing GNX and here we have the stealthy SR series as well as a new MM...well, it's not really new either considering the Mobile Monitors back in the day...but, with the new db series, MM series and SR series along with the lines of amps, the car audio catalog is solid but something tells me it's not long for this world. I gotta pick up some more sets of SR's before they go the way of the dodo and the dB series.

madmax

The new stuff is:

*cheaper in price.
*much better bang for the buck.
*made overseas, mostly I would rather buy something made in the US.
*mostly molded with no real woodworking involved. I like to know someone crafted it.
*a better chance of being wired properly.
*no smell inside from illegal substances. (see previous reason)

The older systems were:

*big, I like big.
*stunning in sound quality
*stunning visually
*great bang for the buck but at a higher dollar level.
*more charizmatic.

madmax

Fireman32

I up to this weekend only had the classic polks my RTA 12b's. I have also heard alot of vintage polks like the SDA's. I also enjoyed listening to Lou's LSI's and now have my RTi 1a's and after listening to them this weekend at the fest I was quite impressed. To me the newer speakers are quite good and would buy more but I still love the classic polks as they gave me my start in audio.

I would love to see the SDA's come back as well as alot of other members but it most likely wont happen.

shack

I think that what has been Polk’s “bread and butter" of the last 20-30 years is now a soon to be extinct product. The "box" speaker...well made, good performance, "bang-for-the-buck" that sits in a room, wired to amplification and a source to play music or a HT soundtrack will not survive, IMO...at least not on a mass market level.

Tony M

I feel Polk audio has done perfect with their direction of product marketing with the way the public has been changing how they listen to music and watch movies.

I'm amazed speaker manufacturers can stay in the black.

Alot of people I know are going the way of downloads and ear-buds.Home theater in a box sound pleases the general publics' ears and wallets.

The public can't miss what they haven't heard.:(

Alot of us are still trying to teach but fewer and fewer care about it. Look at the music thats been produced lately for the masses.What wins alot of Emmys for pop gives my wife and I head-aches.

I'm adding the likes of allison Krauss and Diana Krall sometime soon.High quality artists...

I aplaud Polk audio for their perseveance!!

Micah Cohen

It was Lightman or Ted who mentioned to me that they appreciated that Polk Audio, by making quality speakers at reasonable prices, made it easier for newbies to get into audio and better appreciate their audio options (and then maybe move up to more expensive, higher-end gear).

That Polk Audio was, in a sense, the ultimate "starter speaker."

MC

potee

Micah Cohen wrote: »

It was Lightman or Ted who mentioned to me that they appreciated that Polk Audio, by making quality speakers at reasonable prices, made it easier for newbies to get into audio and better appreciate their audio options (and then maybe move up to more expensive, higher-end gear).

That Polk Audio was, in a sense, the ultimate "starter speaker."

MC

Speaking of newbies. I never had a real system for 5.1 untill I saw an ad for monitor 60,s then found this site and found out for $600.00 I could see if I liked it. So yes inexpensive speakers will get people started. I know I'll upgrade again.

tonyb

shack wrote: »

I think that what has been Polk’s “bread and butter" of the last 20-30 years is now a soon to be extinct product. The "box" speaker...well made, good performance, "bang-for-the-buck" that sits in a room, wired to amplification and a source to play music or a HT soundtrack will not survive, IMO...at least not on a mass market level.

I dunno Shack,they said the same thing about turntables too. Just don't see being emotionally connected to the music happening by way of an IPOD and ear buds. Age may play a role also. No matter what you record on,you will still need speakers unless your satisfied with an I-DOCK or Boze wave,then I guess it wouldn't matter.If that was the case though,audio sites in general would disappear.

shack

tonyb wrote:

I dunno Shack,they said the same thing about turntables too.

I never said they would go away. I said they would not be mass market...just like TTs are not market items...just like tube gear is not mass market...just like pre-amps and 2 channel amps are not mass market. IMO good freestanding speakers will be a niche item...for those who want them...just like the above mentioned audio products.

shack

tonyb wrote:

Just don't see being emotionally connected to the music happening by way of an IPOD and ear buds. Age may play a role also. No matter what you record on,you will still need speakers unless your satisfied with an I-DOCK or Boze wave,then I guess it wouldn't matter.If that was the case though,audio sites in general would disappear.

I disagree. My oldest daughter LOVES music and has lots of tunes going back to the early 60s (motown, classic rock, etc) all the way up through todays music. She likes many genres. She buys lots of used CDs and loads them into her MacBook Pro and then into her iPhone. Her library consists of nearly 10,000 songs. She was certainly exposed to "quality sound" at an early age, and she had a couple of decent mini-audio systems in her room growing up. She doesn't own a freestanding pair of speakers...nor does she want any. She is perfectly happy with ear-buds/headphones. She does actually like my Sennheisers because they are sealed and comfortable but that is as far as she goes into "high end" audio.

At Polkfest last year we were introduced to a couple of folks "in the business" whose tastes in music and gear were similar to my daughter. It is what they want and they enjoy their music alot. It probably is a generational phenonmenon...but just as valid as what we do.

tonyb wrote:

If that was the case though,audio sites in general would disappear.

Like much of the gear...audio sites will always be around for the enthusiast.

Tony M

I mentioned emmys earlier. I ment grammys.:o

I think younger people in general still like music but I think they want it mobil and more compact.My daughter has heard my systems but just doesn't seem to care.....????? Her music doesn't require quality play-back I guess...

I've had alot of musicians who love hearing music on some of my systems. They just havn't been exposed to it in this way. The SDA-SRS2's are the jaw droppers for them. They really make music(good recordings anyway)sound live to us.

tonyb

Well,we shall see if it stands the test of time as quality audio has,so far anyway. Turntables once thought to be dead,started showing back up in mass produced box stores,so who knows. This generation will probably be deaf by our age anyway with their cell phones and IPOD's in their ears all day.:)

MillerLiteScott

I just finished listening to "Puzzle" by Dada on my massaged 20 year old Polks and could not be more thrilled with their performance.

Like others have said we are the few and far between and the masses go for the slick looking easy to set up speakers that work with today's TV's. I think Polk has done a fine job with the current line up for the masses. I was particularly impressed with the TSi500's and RTi A1 at PF even though they had equipment driving them that their target demo would not even know existed. I did not even know those amps existed.

Sure I would like to see a new SDA speaker line aimed at the few and far between but I just don't see that making good business sense and I would not be able to afford them for another 20 years or so anyway. But we live in America so anything is possible.:D

Scott

hoosier21

Liked
small american company
Domestic manufacturer
started by a bunch of guys in a garage, and made it (the American dream)
20-25 years into it, most all the original players were still at Polk Audio
Great value
Great sounding speaker lines
SDA speakers
soft dome tweeters
killer 6 1/2 driver
passive rad. cabinet designs
Started a forum that gave insight, asked for our opinions, seemed to care
a little heart over the "i" told me you loved me

Like
still american owned, but by a holding company (why do I care? hate big business), deduction for that, sorry
still see some care and passion about making great speakers, and what the little guy wants
Polkfest

Don't like
China manufacturering, sorry but I hate that fact about Polk Audio
mixed bag of value these days, examples:
- LSi series a real steal, and some that have too high a price
- Sat 30 pair and Sub 10, does anyone there realize this outdoor speaker system costs 600.00?
- VM20 with stands is a 1400.00 dollar pair of speakers that need a sub!

not that this can be helped, but one by one the old guard is leaving, I am afraid when the remaining old timers go, so goes any care of the individuls here, the big machine will be complete

bigaudiofanatic

LOL I am to young to remember older speakers. I would like to get a set of older polks one day.

warren

Polks 2.3 Carver's Tuner, Amp. and Pre Amp in listening room..
Boom, boom, room, Lsi 9's 5.1 csi5 center, Rotel's Amp.. Pioneer 42"
Bedroom Polk RM 20 speaker system, PSW 111, and a 42 Hitachi Plasma
A retired happy camper, with some great Polk Speakers!!!

[Deleted User]

Technology does have improvements. Such an argument as carbs v. fuel injection or cc's v. rpm's

BTW, I do not think the sound discolorations of SDA cabs could hold a candle against the tech advanced cabs of todays higher end speakers.

Still interested in knowing how a big box with many speakers will sound. If it sounded so great, many of you will still have them today. Considering the for sale threads.

Halen

buymesome

Micah Cohen wrote: »

It was Lightman or Ted who mentioned to me that they appreciated that Polk Audio, by making quality speakers at reasonable prices, made it easier for newbies to get into audio and better appreciate their audio options (and then maybe move up to more expensive, higher-end gear).

That Polk Audio was, in a sense, the ultimate "starter speaker."

MC

I believe lightmn to be correct on polk giving people a taste to expand their palette for a bigger meal . At the same time they are like the meat and potato in a way that youl never get sick of them the way you do with more exotic flavors

I love polk and I think maybe they should branch out and give us somthing new like ribbon speakers o hybrid electrostatic's similar to martin logan but with the value for money of a polk

F1nut

BTW, I do not think the sound discolorations of SDA cabs could hold a candle against the tech advanced cabs of todays higher end speakers.

You are dead wrong.

cnh

halenhoang wrote: »

Technology does have improvements. Such an argument as carbs v. fuel injection or cc's v. rpm's

BTW, I do not think the sound discolorations of SDA cabs could hold a candle against the tech advanced cabs of todays higher end speakers.

Still interested in knowing how a big box with many speakers will sound. If it sounded so great, many of you will still have them today. Considering the for sale threads.

Halen

Hey,

Many here not only still have them today but they are some of the MOST sought after speakers on this site...didn't you notice all the threads that are circulated daily about just where one can pick up some SDAs...

And many of us wbo have modern Polks also buy SDAs and run them in 2 channel systems, leaving the current Polks for HT service, etc.

Once again F1nut..short and sweet!

cnh

george daniel

Although the speaker product has changed over the years,one thing has remained and possibly improved,Customer Service,, the attitude of " we want to get it right the first time" has always impressed me,I get a feeling that they DO,give a crap,and that keeps me coming back,,one hopes that philisophy never changes.

maandjojo

If a company doesn't change to meet the demands of today they will cease to exist. Within two years I went from Sda's to Lsi's back to the Sda's. Loved the Sda 1As but felt I was ready for the newer tech of the Lsis'. Purchased the Lsi 25s' with the accompany of center and surrounds. I really enjoyed them at first, especially for movies but missed the 2 channel sound of the Sdas'. So went on a journey and now have the Sda 1.2TLs' and am loving it.
I think that brings us back to our ears. Whatever sounds best to you is where you are going to end up.
As for Polk, I still believe they are one of the best audio companies out there. There main purpose has still endured. High quality at affordable prices.

Joe

[Deleted User]

F1nut wrote: »

You are dead wrong.

The great thing about being wrong is learning from it. I am always willing.

Halen

snow

halenhoang wrote: »

Technology does have improvements. Such an argument as carbs v. fuel injection or cc's v. rpm's

BTW, I do not think the sound discolorations of SDA cabs could hold a candle against the tech advanced cabs of todays higher end speakers.

Still interested in knowing how a big box with many speakers will sound. If it sounded so great, many of you will still have them today. Considering the for sale threads.

Halen

Actually many of us still own them and many more are looking for them. There are many reasons why people choose to get rid of the larger SDA's one of the main reasons is size WAF plays into this in a lot of cases not all but certainly a good percentage of women simply prefer a smaller slimmer speaker in what they consider their territory, how a speaker sounds is not important to them but how it blends in with the rest of the furnishings is.

As these get older the crossovers need to have parts replaced it is no different then other electronics amps preamps etc, but if you were to listen to a set of SDA SRS series speakers with well maintained and or upgraded crossovers you would IMHO be hard pressed to find many others for the same amount of money that sound as good newer or older.

I had a pair of Paradigm studio 100 reference series ll speakers as mains before I bought my SDA's which certainly is newer technology, to my ears the SDA's simply had a more pleasing natural sound even though the Paradigms were no slouch, Are they going to be as good as your Diamond series B&W's? probally not but they dont cost as much either.

I remember the first time I heard a pair of AR3's I thought wow these sound pretty damn good for old speakers



REGARDS SNOW

NJPOLKER

Kim wrote: »

Resurrect the older Monitor 5 Jr without the passive radiator,
and bring back the RTA 12C. Man I wish I kept those speakers…
The 80's was a fun time.

Come on Kim your not that old
Thanks for the efficiency on the SRSII's - 92db I was able to fix the buzz problem by changing around power cords and the outlets to my system.

DaveHo

Honestly, I don't find much in the current lineup to get excited about. Other than the LSi series, I have zero interest in the present day offerings. I consider the last SDA offerings & the RTA15TL to be the last of the truly great Polk speakers.

-Dave

zingo

Polk makes good products and always has. I agree with an earlier poster that they make great beginning HIFI products, and Polk is the company that got me into this crazy game. I still love the value that classic Polk speakers offer and suggest them to anyone I run across as a beginning audiophile is not going to do better than a pair of Monitor 5s for $100. Like all things however, some peoples tastes change depending on age and income (I doubt most people would buy their first car again, even thought at the time they loved it). I do think that new technology has a lot to offer and Polk has done a great job keeping up with the changing audio times. Plus, prices have come down so much that you can get a new pair of speakers with amazing performance for a fraction of what it would have cost 20 years ago; Polk or otherwise.

My biggest thing is that my tastes have changed. As much as I like SDA speakers, I have started to prefer a more neutral sound, and I think that a lot of newer speakers have sharper detail than the classics. I'm not a bass head (don't need the 15" PR) and have found a lot of enjoyment out of well engineered two driver, two way designs lately. I will always continue to sample Polk's new offerings and if they stick in my ears, I'll take them home.