classic polk fan? what's changed?

reeltrouble1

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

Well, Lightman would be the first to admit he never had such a coherent thought.

It does make me think though about the comments I just heard regarding both the TSi500 and RTia speakers at the Polkfest. All of which were positive once the speakers were dialed in and lest we forget they were also new or had new drivers, they sounded great, albiet not exactly driven with the electronics typically used by the folks purchasing them.

I have though never been one who put much stock in cost comparison evaluation with relation to overall performance, an audio speaker or component either has good sound or it does not, cost should not be a consideration in evaluation, cost is simply related to budget. I suppose one could think of this though as getting 99-100% of the quality sound available at a particular price point but I digress. Lest we know price point is nearly everything in the business world and of course there is no perfect audio speaker for everyone.

The fact is Polk Audio makes good sounding speakers, well, OK, those skinny VM things are lacking any magic as far as I am concerned, but the lines in general can take you a very long way in audio, you simply need to understand that a speaker is part of an audio system dependant upon each piece including yourself.

I still love an SDA, great sound and it was Matt's Reference speaker and he is in my mind someone very special, but then Polk Audio has always built great sounding speakers for everyone, whether Monitor or RTA etc. The SDA can bring the listener to an emotional level just like they always have. I do worry as Hoosier stated that once all the old guard leaves the speakers lines might suffer but this is simply speculation. As far as technology.....well a stamped metal basket is in the SDA and the TSi I recently brought home, go figure. I do love a passive radiator, a soft dome tweet, sealed box.......like Polk Paul said "nothing like a large amount of watts on a radiating surface".

Sure I would personally love it if Polk would do an all out assault on a new Reference Speaker in the five figure range......but Polk is not really about that.......

The ulitimate "starter speaker" yes I will stand on that comment, with one caveat.........as you move along the lines you just might find something that will give you all you ever wanted from an audio speaker. I am sure many of you know I have found my sound in panels but Polk started it all for me long long ago.

If I were King of Polk I suspect the company would be bankrupt in short order but I would have one hell of speaker, of course I might sell about 500 of them, best to trust the focus groups and young ones to move the company ahead, but yea I do worry one day there may only be i-pod thingies and shower tiles but maybe this will not be such a bad thing for the company......which reminds me.......
the best way to know your future is to invent it............

Rock on.

Micah great to have you back.

RT1

lightman1

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

Well, Lightman would be the first to admit he never had such a coherent thought.

Thanks........jerk....

TroyD

What do I love about Polk.....

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that I knew squat about the current lineup and probably couldn't have been any more apathetic....until I heard that little bookshelf. I was flabergasted. I sounded friggin' AWESOME (now the electronics had a little to do with it but that aside, it sounded great)

So, to those that say that they don't make good sounding speakers anymore, horse
hockey. The basic premise is still the same....great sound at a decent price.

Second, CS is the standard for all to emulate.

Then, the people. Ok, look at all of the other '-fests' out there. NONE out there has the homegrown vibe of Polkfest. It reflects PERFECTLY with the genesis and roots of Polk. A couple of guys...rather than get real jobs...hang out, party and go build great speakers...and most of those guys are still doing it today. Then their 'fest'....really is a tribute to the folks that love Polk rather than a cleverly designed sales vehicle. It's simple and it's fun.

Is it likely that if I decided to have a party at my house because I liked CJ gear that anybody from CJ would come down for that?? That, my friends, is putting your money where your mouth is in terms of your putting your money where your mission statement is.

I miss the old logo though. I'll never get rid of my old flag.

BDT