Polk Audio Command Bar - Official Discussion
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Clipdat
Posts: 12,598
Let's discuss Polk's product announcement at CES yesterday, the new Command Bar. It's a soundbar and wireless subwoofer, with built in Amazon Alexa.
Video from the unveiling:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lcb4-oJAjxc
Video from the unveiling:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lcb4-oJAjxc Comments
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What we have here is a failure to communicate.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 -
Fail!
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Another technological break through that I have no interest in.
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This still has a fatal flaw that follows all sound bars: subwoofer localization, due to the mains not being able to get down to the low vocal range and the sub has to fill the gap. So placement, as suggested in the video above, will yield sub-par results. As I understand it, that isn't the goal of Polk, yet that appears to be the direction they're headed with this. As I had posted in the other thread: fixing the "thin TV" problem with a thin sound bar. The Maxi should have been their building point I think.
This is just my initial opinion. -
I wonder if this will fit on the dash of my car? And how will Alexa respond to my incessant profanity while driving in traffic?
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What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Some men you just can't reach. (The fact that Alexa is female is irrelevant.) So you get what we had here at CES. Which isn't the way we want it. But we get it. And I don't like it any more than you Polkies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj60OAh7O5U
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Hmm... some threads seem to have disappeared from the Clubhouse...
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Good afternoon Members of the Forum.
The first thread of the Command bar was shut down due to VERY inappropriate language being used towards Amazon, Dave Limp, and Polk Audio.
This is a project that we, at Polk Audio and Amazon, have worked very hard on.
Please do not simply dismiss the efforts of our teams because of your feelings for Voice Products or Soundbars.
We have found a very nice solution that will work in a consumers Alexa eco-system. It will introduce consumers who wouldn't normally consider a Voice product, to our products.
This is a very versatile bar for ONLY 299, a very reasonable price range for the features it has.
If foul language is used on this thread directed at any of the Brands: Polk Audio, Amazon, Sound United, there will be consequences for the perpetrators. We are a community that should respect each other and share ideas, not tear each other down.
Thank you for your time. If anyone has questions about anything said here, questions about the Command Bar, the collaboration or Polk and Amazon or the recent acquisition of Classe Audio by Sound United please let me know via direct message or response to the thread. I will do my best to check on this through out the evening.
Ken -
KenCustomerService wrote: »Good afternoon Members of the Forum.
The first thread of the Command bar was shut down due to VERY inappropriate language being used towards Amazon, Dave Limp, and Polk Audio.
This is a project that we, at Polk Audio and Amazon, have worked very hard on.
Please do not simply dismiss the efforts of our teams because of your feelings for Voice Products or Soundbars.
We have found a very nice solution that will work in a consumers Alexa eco-system. It will introduce consumers who wouldn't normally consider a Voice product, to our products.
This is a very versatile bar for ONLY 299, a very reasonable price range for the features it has.
If foul language is used on this thread directed at any of the Brands: Polk Audio, Amazon, Sound United, there will be consequences for the perpetrators. We are a community that should respect each other and share ideas, not tear each other down.
Thank you for your time. If anyone has questions about anything said here, questions about the Command Bar, the collaboration or Polk and Amazon or the recent acquisition of Classe Audio by Sound United please let me know via direct message or response to the thread. I will do my best to check on this through out the evening.
Ken
Why shut down the thread instead of removing comments you felt were inappropriate? Opinions are opinions and shutting the thread down seems like a way to "hide" the disappointment we felt on this announcement as oppose to removing individual comments that fit the terms you stated above?
Not trying to bicker here but taking down a whole thread for SOME comments seems a little heavy handed.Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
Could please kindly clarify what exactly falls under "inappropriate" or "foul" language? I believe all dictionary swears automatically get censored, so I'm just hoping to make it very clear what will not be tolerated.KenCustomerService wrote: »The first thread of the Command bar was shut down due to VERY inappropriate language being used towards Amazon, Dave Limp, and Polk Audio.
If foul language is used on this thread directed at any of the Brands: Polk Audio, Amazon, Sound United, there will be consequences for the perpetrators. We are a community that should respect each other and share ideas, not tear each other down.
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@codycatalist you make a good point. But myself and Ken Swauger felt it better to have it removed completely than edited the entire thread. It was heavily edited by the time I had it brought to my attention.
We appreciate your cooperation and input.
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Over the last couple years, there had seemed to be some subtle hints that "Maybe", a token of the "Old School" Polk, most would prefer SDA, would be possibly resurrected.
Klipsch, and now JBL have brought back a few blasts from the pasts.
So Sound United must understand that when you hear the word SDA get hyped, that a lot, especially the boomers want some "Old Skool Polk".
So yeah a little deflating2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
I think what we have is a hard-core group of people who have spent the last five to ten (or more) years of their life so very invested in a brand most people would say it’s unhealthy. Basically, brand ambassadors for Polk Audio who would be willing to fight tooth and nail to defend the brand.
A few years ago there were major changes (vanilla) that blew away not only a large portion of the brand ambassadors, but a critical amount of countless hours of research and troubleshooting Polk Audio products that had been produced by us...the enthusiasts.
Just wiped it all away.
Since that time, thare are a few of us left. Mostly, we feel largely ignored. We see that Polk is moving in a far different direction, but still hold out the faintest of hope in the audiophilia roots.
There have even been various ‘carrots’ dangled by Polk Audio employees regarding audiophile type products and a revival of the SDA technology.
I think we were all excited for a special announcement with a marketing tease only to find out it was another sound bar, and one that didn’t even work at the end of the grand announcement and that was a big disappointment to us.
Yes, Alexa is a growing force to the masses and this is a big accomplishment for Sound United.
But I think the few of us left are going to have face the fact that Polk/Sound United has a different agenda and that will not change.
No matter how fervent we are...
Or how dedicated we were...2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A -
I still want to know what Alexa will do when she finds out I have been cheating on her with... never mind.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Alexa, what is SDA?Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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Congratulations Polk, I think with the combo with Amazon, you will have a hit on your hands!Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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I'm sure I'll be viewed as a dinosaur, but whatever. All this voice command stuff is the optimity of laziness and yet some wonder why Americans are so fat.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 -
There's definitely a HUGE market for this product. I don't blame Polk one bit for this partnership with Amazon. Let's face it, we have 3 giants out there in terms of the "voice command" tech...Amazon, Apple and Google. Myself, I'm on the Apple platform and will be sticking there. Over the holidays, I installed the Hue lighting system in my house. I have the main hub with NINE bulbs throughout, from the basement home theater to the bedrooms. The more I use it, the more I configure it, the more I love it.
I work with people who think i'm nuts for having a 7.1 surround system with huge subwoofer. These are the people that want a product exactly like this Command Bar. This IS the market we're in. Voice command and home automation are it and it's growing by leaps and bounds. You may not like it, you may think it's dumb and not for you, but there are millions upon millions of people out there that love it and want it!
Nice job Polk! I hope it's a success...now make one with Apple/Siri enabled and i'll look at it.No excuses! -
I need a surround bar for my bedroom. Considered Polk many times, but to be honest those bars make me nervous. I know 2 friends who I pushed to Polk products who now have broken surround bars after warranty. I hope this one works!2 channel:
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables. -
I don’t see where any foul language was used in the old thread, I actually don’t see where anything was said out of line, a little joking here and there but mostly hype at first then disappointment.
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I'm sure I'll be viewed as a dinosaur, but whatever. All this voice command stuff is the optimity of laziness and yet some wonder why Americans are so fat.
Couldn't have said it better myself...Remember, when you're running from something, you're running to something...-me -
I wonder how the market research was conducted. One would normally have an Alexia in a common room of the house, not a HT. So, I would assume this isn't geared to a HT, but as a add-on for a regular TV in the living room. Then I would wonder how many regular TV viewers purchase sound bars. Just curious.
Personally, I would never have a component in my house that listened to everything being said. My Sony 4K TV has voice command capability, but that is, supposedly, disabled. Of course, since it is in the HT there isn't much conversation to be recording.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
The vast majority of people's HT room IS their livingroom. Not everyone can/does/want a whole separate room just to watch movies especially if you live in an apartment.
Two great companies working together to make life and entertainment easier for everyone. That's what I call cool!Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2 -
How about paying us to write a positive review?? I’ll take payment in the form of RDO-198’s...
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The two Kens settin' things straight around here! -
The vast majority of people's HT room IS their livingroom. Not everyone can/does/want a whole separate room just to watch movies especially if you live in an apartment.
Two great companies working together to make life and entertainment easier for everyone. That's what I call cool!
Oh I get it, I started installing Home Automation back in the 90's...big closet full of panels, writing DOS strings for integration. I'm still an integrator today.
http://www.unitysystemshomemanager.com/original-unity-home-manager/history
https://imgur.com/gallery/Jb6jW
For Alexa to really work for whole home, you need to buy several Alexa products. In apartment how many Alexa products do you need. One in the kitchen, living room, bedroom...then what
Expensive light switch, a phone/TV to look at the weather and talking remotes...we have them. Again these are not devices even your typical apartment dwellers, except in locations of the higher end apartments/income.
Cathy...how many Alexa devices will you purchase over the next 2 years? What will you use the Alexa for in your daily routine?
Is it cool...yeah, but is it revolutionary and overall affordable, not on average. Will you have to have it in your devices to compete....yeah probably.
Been doing this stuff for over 25yrs...just saying.2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
We received an Echo for Christmas and we re-gifted it.Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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We received an Echo for Christmas and we re-gifted it.
Ah, maybe that's why it is called an "Echo"? -
txcoastal1 wrote: »...
For Alexa to really work for whole home, you need to buy several Alexa products. In apartment how many Alexa products do you need. One in the kitchen, living room, bedroom...then what
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I guess this is what I (technological knuckle-dragger that I am) don't get about these 'assistants'. I thought that in the IOT everything would be addressable -- which to my mind suggests that one "Alexa" box, asked to do something, ought to be able to send out the right command strings to the right IP addresses on the network to make things happen. Not at all clear to me why the soundbar needs "Alexa" if, e.g., one's source of streaming -- whatever -- is a tablet or a phone or something that already has Alexa or Siri or (heaven forefend) Cortana or whatever.
Maybe I am just underthinking the sophistication of 2018 technology.
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What is this all about....Amazon. Amazon was a data company long before being a consumer sales company
Hey not knocking what they accomplished, but like Wal-Mart, if you can't beat them join them.2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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