Looking forward to L800 but have concerns, what are your thoughts?
I’ve been a Polk Audio fan for a very long time, since I couldn’t afford them as a kid reading audio magazines in a library. One issue caught my eye, Matthew Polk in a lab coat with SDA SRS as tall as him. Been into music being classically trained on piano and playing other woodwinds in band and orchestra, I wanted to get that high fidelity sound. From then on was really what gear helps get the music conveyed. Out of college my first paycheck when to a pair of Polk RT55 and many iterations later still Polk.
Here are my concerns, two mainly, I understand end of life they have to move inventory but come on $549 for the LSiM 707? And Friends and Family sales 50% off!?!? I wish they would just stop with that. So the L800 for me is not a steep price considering there are speakers in the market well beyond that for bookshelves. As a potential early adopter I want to pre-order and support Polk and support the dealer but if they start discounting, it will really hurt. So first concern is what is the point of setting the price then putting it on sale for 50% off. Second is when the units go end of sales then just end the sale with a moderate discount but don’t have a blow out. Make enough to satisfy inventory especially for the flagship. If they wanted to get LSiM 707 to everyone then set the price at $549 not $1999.
See my signature below LSiM 707, LSi25....
I’m really excited at the prospect of getting an modern SDA but upset and fearful of them cannibalizing the long term value. I see the value in the L800 but if they continue this trend then maybe I’ll just wait a year or two when they start the discounts. Heck I’ve waited this long for SDA why not a few more years so I can eek out the value of my LSiM 707 get some extended ROI.
Here are my concerns, two mainly, I understand end of life they have to move inventory but come on $549 for the LSiM 707? And Friends and Family sales 50% off!?!? I wish they would just stop with that. So the L800 for me is not a steep price considering there are speakers in the market well beyond that for bookshelves. As a potential early adopter I want to pre-order and support Polk and support the dealer but if they start discounting, it will really hurt. So first concern is what is the point of setting the price then putting it on sale for 50% off. Second is when the units go end of sales then just end the sale with a moderate discount but don’t have a blow out. Make enough to satisfy inventory especially for the flagship. If they wanted to get LSiM 707 to everyone then set the price at $549 not $1999.
See my signature below LSiM 707, LSi25....
I’m really excited at the prospect of getting an modern SDA but upset and fearful of them cannibalizing the long term value. I see the value in the L800 but if they continue this trend then maybe I’ll just wait a year or two when they start the discounts. Heck I’ve waited this long for SDA why not a few more years so I can eek out the value of my LSiM 707 get some extended ROI.
Living Room Music-2.0 Polk Legend L800 | McIntosh C70 | McIntosh MA5200 (Treble) | McIntosh MC452 (Bass) | Sublimeacoustic K231 Active xover | Denon DP-2500A | Marantz HD-CD1 | Denafrips Aries II | Amazon Music Ultra HD via iPad Pro
Family Room Home Theater-7.2.2 (Atmos) Polk LSiM 707, 706c, Dual DSW microPRO 3000, LSiM 702 F/X [x4], RC65i | Marantz SR7009 | Marantz PM-10 [FL/FR] | Marantz SA-10 | Sony UBP-X800 4K | Xbox One S 4K | AppleTV 4K | HTPC | Sony 75” XBR X850D 4K
Office Home Theater-5.1 Polk RT55, CS400, PSW450, f/x 500 | Onkyo TX-SR705 | AppleTV | Samsung 55”
Office Music-2.0 KEF Q100 | Sansui AU-6900 | Topping DX7s | Sansui FR-1080
Office Music 2-2.0 Klipsch RP-600M | Topping DX7s (BAL out) | PASS ACA (kit) Class A balanced monoblocks
Master Bedroom Music-2.0 Totem Hawk | Rotel RA-1570
Patio Music-2.0 Polk Atrium8 | AMC 2445 bridged
Airplay zones: Family Room (HDMI), Family Room SA-10 (optical), Master Bedroom (Optical), Office (HDMI), Office DX7s (optical), Living Room Ares (Optical), SR7009 (AVR direct) and Patio (analog). Apple Music multi-stream to any, combo or all.
Spares: Polk LSi25, LSiC, CS300, 4pr T15, Martin Logan Motion 40, 50xt, Dynamo 500, Rotel RB-1590, Denon AVR-4802R, Onkyo DX-C540, DVP-S500D, PS HX-500,
Maintenance: Pro-Ject VC-S Record Cleaning Machine
Family Room Home Theater-7.2.2 (Atmos) Polk LSiM 707, 706c, Dual DSW microPRO 3000, LSiM 702 F/X [x4], RC65i | Marantz SR7009 | Marantz PM-10 [FL/FR] | Marantz SA-10 | Sony UBP-X800 4K | Xbox One S 4K | AppleTV 4K | HTPC | Sony 75” XBR X850D 4K
Office Home Theater-5.1 Polk RT55, CS400, PSW450, f/x 500 | Onkyo TX-SR705 | AppleTV | Samsung 55”
Office Music-2.0 KEF Q100 | Sansui AU-6900 | Topping DX7s | Sansui FR-1080
Office Music 2-2.0 Klipsch RP-600M | Topping DX7s (BAL out) | PASS ACA (kit) Class A balanced monoblocks
Master Bedroom Music-2.0 Totem Hawk | Rotel RA-1570
Patio Music-2.0 Polk Atrium8 | AMC 2445 bridged
Airplay zones: Family Room (HDMI), Family Room SA-10 (optical), Master Bedroom (Optical), Office (HDMI), Office DX7s (optical), Living Room Ares (Optical), SR7009 (AVR direct) and Patio (analog). Apple Music multi-stream to any, combo or all.
Spares: Polk LSi25, LSiC, CS300, 4pr T15, Martin Logan Motion 40, 50xt, Dynamo 500, Rotel RB-1590, Denon AVR-4802R, Onkyo DX-C540, DVP-S500D, PS HX-500,
Maintenance: Pro-Ject VC-S Record Cleaning Machine
Comments
Eventually they will be available below MSRP, but everything is eventually. Then it becomes a matter of how long someone wants to wait for product until the price is right for them to jump. I do think the rest of the Legend line will be discounted somewhat from MSRP maybe as early as next year because they are also aimed at home theater systems where customers will not want to buy a full setup without some sort of kicker. And in our market in the US people simply don’t expect to pay MSRP on most things anymore.
2. JM Labs Electra 920.1; Parasound JC2 and JC5; Sony HAP-Z1ES; Marantz SA8004 SACD; Music Hall MMF7 and Acoustech phono pre; PS Audio P1000; MIT S1 Cables
3. Polk LSiM703; Anthem Pre-2L SE; Parasound A21; Sony 48" 4K TV; Wyred4Sound DAC 2; Oppo 203; Squeezebox Touch; PS Audio Power Director 4.7; MIT S3 cables
For me, this is a hobby. One of many that I have (yeah I know), and get great satisfaction and joy from that hobby. It's a pursuit, of bigger, and better, pieces, to reach the end goal of, audiophile, uh, utopia. Will I ever get there? Probably not. Most likely not.
But that's the point, it's a journey, and my travels down that path. All good fun!
If I were to look at it as a ROI scenario, then it would really be a business. And that would take away a little bit of the fun. Yep, I'm a consumer for sure!
Will I be one of the first adopters of the L800? Not 100% sure, but I am really excited thinking about it, dreaming about it. What to do with my other speakers? All the things we hobbyists go through when looking to upgrade.
And, part of this hobby is the ability to share with others. As many have done here, share their pieces with folks like me, at ridiculously low prices, as they move up the chain!
Will the L800's be available on the used market? Or below retail? Of course, as time goes on, the next gen SDA is developed, or the other next gotta have thing, we all know the drill!
The key for me is to have fun, pursue the dream, share with others, and spend that money!
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, PASS ACA Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks, Tisbury Mini Passive Pre, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
I have not heard the L800 but from what I am reading it could be a perfect fit. Maybe hunt for the deal is just as exciting.
Family Room Home Theater-7.2.2 (Atmos) Polk LSiM 707, 706c, Dual DSW microPRO 3000, LSiM 702 F/X [x4], RC65i | Marantz SR7009 | Marantz PM-10 [FL/FR] | Marantz SA-10 | Sony UBP-X800 4K | Xbox One S 4K | AppleTV 4K | HTPC | Sony 75” XBR X850D 4K
Office Home Theater-5.1 Polk RT55, CS400, PSW450, f/x 500 | Onkyo TX-SR705 | AppleTV | Samsung 55”
Office Music-2.0 KEF Q100 | Sansui AU-6900 | Topping DX7s | Sansui FR-1080
Office Music 2-2.0 Klipsch RP-600M | Topping DX7s (BAL out) | PASS ACA (kit) Class A balanced monoblocks
Master Bedroom Music-2.0 Totem Hawk | Rotel RA-1570
Patio Music-2.0 Polk Atrium8 | AMC 2445 bridged
Airplay zones: Family Room (HDMI), Family Room SA-10 (optical), Master Bedroom (Optical), Office (HDMI), Office DX7s (optical), Living Room Ares (Optical), SR7009 (AVR direct) and Patio (analog). Apple Music multi-stream to any, combo or all.
Spares: Polk LSi25, LSiC, CS300, 4pr T15, Martin Logan Motion 40, 50xt, Dynamo 500, Rotel RB-1590, Denon AVR-4802R, Onkyo DX-C540, DVP-S500D, PS HX-500,
Maintenance: Pro-Ject VC-S Record Cleaning Machine
If there's $6k of value in the L800s, they're worth $6k. My impression is that their is and that they are.
There's a different (potential) issue, which doesn't seem to be related to your concern @mpitogo -- and that is whether they'd be a good investment. A pair of Altec A5 Voice of the Theaters or a 604 Duplex driver is a good investment. A McIntosh MC-225 or a Marantz 8B is a good investment. For the foreseeable future, their value will (continue to) increase.
I would not expect that from the L800 -- or of most modern loudspeakers, for that matter.
... but I wouldn't expect to get burned by buying a pair, either.
"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
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's
"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
This is a tough call for me.
A couple good subs could cost $2,000
A pair of really nice mid sized monitors Maybe another $2,000
Will it readily beat that theoretical combo, for another $2,000??
Hard to say, until I hear them.
Not sure the SDA part really matters to me overall.
But will the overall sound trump a $4,000 combo as above?
B+W-Sold
Electro Voice EV-SIX
Infinity-Sold
Advent-Now gone
Yamaha A-S801
Yamaha RX-V377
Yamaha RX-A860
Yamaha RX-A3060
Harman Kardon Hk-350i
Harman Kardon Hk-........
Harman Kardon PM-665
Harman Kardon HK-775
Pioneer.......Stereo Receiver
A pair of L600s would be a better choice for someone looking for a new pair of conventional tower speakers. At $4K those would be right in the sweet spot for comparable speaker lines from other companies. To me the L600s seem like they may be targeted as home theater speakers primarily. They would need a subwoofer or two to supplement the bass in a home theater system.
I would not use L800s with separate subwoofers in a two channel system but would in a home theater. Subwoofers would need to exceed the bass capabilities of the mains so probably something in the $1.5K each range would be needed.
Buying new speakers is expensive! And personal preference plays a big part. For that reason, getting an audition before buying is a good idea.
2. JM Labs Electra 920.1; Parasound JC2 and JC5; Sony HAP-Z1ES; Marantz SA8004 SACD; Music Hall MMF7 and Acoustech phono pre; PS Audio P1000; MIT S1 Cables
3. Polk LSiM703; Anthem Pre-2L SE; Parasound A21; Sony 48" 4K TV; Wyred4Sound DAC 2; Oppo 203; Squeezebox Touch; PS Audio Power Director 4.7; MIT S3 cables
Write it on the calendar! Incorrect grammar by @mhardy6647 on September the 15th of 2019!
Village Idiot of Club Polk
*****************************
yikes, the tea must've been a little extra fermented that day (the 15th).
Lumin X1 file player
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 preamp, 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.
@ $6k for a set of speakers, yes I would want to hear them first. I have yet to buy speakers I haven't had a decent listen to first.
I always thought the S60 would have been my last set of speakers, then along comes the great deal on the LSiM-705. I always loved the LSiM but never could afford them.
Now this is where this hobby becomes expensive. I've recently caught myself looking at Anthem and Parasound amps. Don't get me wrong the emotiva sounds great with the LSiM-705. Oh-well we'll have to see how this woodworking season goes.
Rock On
L
Family Room:
Samsung UN75RU710DFXZA,
Denon AVR-X4400H, Emotiva XPA3 GEN3
Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM, WD Live HUB.
Main: Polk LsiM 705
Center: Polk LSiM 704C
Front High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT
Surrounds: Polk S15
Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
Bed Room;
Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270
Main: Polk Signature S20
Center: Polk Signature S35
Rear: Polk R15
Sub: HSU STF-2
Working Warehouse;
Sony 2100ES AVR, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc
Cerwin Vega AT-12 (blasters) Advent Prodigy (listening)
Old sony 12" Sub
Mini tower PC with 400GB of music
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Shelly's happens to be one of the reasons why SDA was discontinued to begin with, as they refused to properly set them up for demo. They were displayed on a long wall, toed in like every other speaker, and underpowered through a switching panel, while the Magnepan's had their own demo suite...
I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.” .
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
IMHO you are better off getting a older SDA and upgrading it... If you really want that SDA sound...if not, then just stick with what you have, those LSim are great speakers.
(borrowed image from this very forum!)
_______________
* Or near the end of A Clockwork Orange
I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.” .
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
I've owned M70's, A9's and now 707's but I gotta tell you, I have always and still do, dig the look of the old SDA's.
That's a speaker's speaker right there!
HT
Source: Panasonic UB9000 - Display: LG OLED 65 8B
Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2
2CH
Emotiva: ERC 3 connected via XLR's
Speakers
PolkAudio Mains: LSiM707, C-706, SS: 702F/X, RS: RTiA9
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is
too many drivers
Are you insinuating......overkill??
I must apologize, I've heard of that word but I never saw how it applied to my set up
HT
Source: Panasonic UB9000 - Display: LG OLED 65 8B
Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2
2CH
Emotiva: ERC 3 connected via XLR's
Speakers
PolkAudio Mains: LSiM707, C-706, SS: 702F/X, RS: RTiA9
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is
2B 4 Lyfe
Village Idiot of Club Polk
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_700L800WN/Polk-Audio-Legend-L800-Brown-Walnut.html
2. JM Labs Electra 920.1; Parasound JC2 and JC5; Sony HAP-Z1ES; Marantz SA8004 SACD; Music Hall MMF7 and Acoustech phono pre; PS Audio P1000; MIT S1 Cables
3. Polk LSiM703; Anthem Pre-2L SE; Parasound A21; Sony 48" 4K TV; Wyred4Sound DAC 2; Oppo 203; Squeezebox Touch; PS Audio Power Director 4.7; MIT S3 cables
Lumin X1 file player
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 preamp, 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 page notes that each speaker comes with a 15 foot SDA cable and they can be linked for a total length of 30 feet if desired.
2. JM Labs Electra 920.1; Parasound JC2 and JC5; Sony HAP-Z1ES; Marantz SA8004 SACD; Music Hall MMF7 and Acoustech phono pre; PS Audio P1000; MIT S1 Cables
3. Polk LSiM703; Anthem Pre-2L SE; Parasound A21; Sony 48" 4K TV; Wyred4Sound DAC 2; Oppo 203; Squeezebox Touch; PS Audio Power Director 4.7; MIT S3 cables
The idea back then was to use several low cost drivers, and hopefully equal one much larger more expensive woofer.
But lobing and dispersion issues were not at the top of the agenda back then nor as well thought out.
Ive had people see our "Big" sdas and ask why 8 small woofers, instead of maybe 2 10" woofers......not sure, maybe they got a better deal on bulk 6.5" woofers...
B+W-Sold
Electro Voice EV-SIX
Infinity-Sold
Advent-Now gone
Yamaha A-S801
Yamaha RX-V377
Yamaha RX-A860
Yamaha RX-A3060
Harman Kardon Hk-350i
Harman Kardon Hk-........
Harman Kardon PM-665
Harman Kardon HK-775
Pioneer.......Stereo Receiver