Polk L200 Speaker Demo Reviews
Comments
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When it comes my time for the review, I'm going to use the Copy & Paste approach
A lot of members here could very be Professional Reviewers. Very well done! -
I found that when the volume was increased the highs began to grate on my ears.
my room is also 12 x15 x8.
cables were argento organic speaker cables, analysis plus solo crystal oval interconnects, wireworld gold starlight 6 spdif, power cords by Cullen.Post edited by marvda1 onAmplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156 -
@displayname
So would you characterize them as somewhat boosted top end, or more than a bit?
I noticed several comments about "Detailed" and the top end...
We have Lsi9's the only one I can compare to, and they sound quite neutral, tone wise to me.
Compared to the LSi9, the top end is certainly boosted. You'd notice it right away coming from the LSi9 regardless of amp pairing. Like Marvin just said, higher volumes and more power didn't do it any favors either.
But I can't deny more detail is there. One good example was at Marvin's we listened to Stairway to Heaven. On all the other speakers, you could hear the tape hiss, but it wasn't really distracting. On the L200, it was hard to look passed in the softer intro, and it really was a factor right up until the larger instrumentals picked up. That's not really enjoyable detail in that case, but it is detail.Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
For reference, what volume levels was "Stairway to Heaven" being played at?
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
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Great review, thanks!Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables. SnubWay, Main Stream
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I would guess mid 70dbs with peaks in the 80s. We didn't measure that, but Marvin and I tend to listen at about the same volume and that's about where I've measured things in my house. Measuring via phone app, nothing crazy.For reference, what volume levels was "Stairway to Heaven" being played at?
Tom
I should also point out that the mastering in the Tidal playlist is likely different from the CD Marvin had. I don't know which exact mastering we had, but it was from Mothership and it was in a card sleeve, not a jewel case: https://www.discogs.com/Led-Zeppelin-Mothership/master/4787
Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
Mothership is mastered so hot that I couldn't listen to it.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 -
I noticed this tendency to become harsh at higher volume levels on other songs that with my reference speakers just gets louder and louder with the strain in the upper region.
I also felt that the sound was not balanced across the frequency spectrum.Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156 -
Nice review Willie.
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Nice review, seems there are many here with the same general "thread" on these...Remember, when you're running from something, you're running to something...-me
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I noticed this tendency to become harsh at higher volume levels on other songs that with my reference speakers just gets louder and louder with the strain in the upper region.
I also felt that the sound was not balanced across the frequency spectrum.
Are your reference speakers the Rosso Fiorentino Volterra’s?
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yes.
even the onix ref 1 with a tweeter in the same family did not exhibit this harshness.
note that in it's day the ref 1 was known to be a little hot in the highs.Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156 -
displayname wrote: »Stop #2 – Marvin’s Place @marvda1
The Chris Jones tracks served as our main constant for the day, and we listened to those two tracks on every speaker that day.
Those Chris Jones tracks are two of my favorite tracks to use when demoing speakers.
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displayname wrote: »Stop #2 – Marvin’s Place @marvda1
The Chris Jones tracks served as our main constant for the day, and we listened to those two tracks on every speaker that day.
Those Chris Jones tracks are two of my favorite tracks to use when demoing speakers.
They were new to me. I keep my phone out so I can quickly shazam anything when I'm with Marvin. He always has good stuff that I'm not familiar with.Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
DarqueKnight wrote: »@CassidyStains
@AlmaGarcia
@F1nut
I think it would be good to make this thread an announcement/sticky thread so that it does not get buried as time passes.
Sorry for the delay, I was out on vacation. Slowly but surely catching up. I've stickie'd the thread. -
Thank you Alma.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 -
Thank you Alma.
That is what I was thinking. I'm trying to stabilize mine more since the threaded inserts for the feet are loose. Outriggers look like the way to go.Stan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601 -
Stan, you ok? This thread is about the L200 demo.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 -
Just some teaser picks. They are almost the exact same size as my dynaudios. Looks like I built the stands for the polks!
Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
Just some teaser picks. They are almost the exact same size as my dynaudios. Looks like I built the stands for the polks!
Very nice! How did you get the Walnut finish? Weren't the black ash in your "neighborhood" recently?
Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
No sir, I’m in Texas.Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
I think you're going to like those stands a whole bunch with the L200's. It will provide a very solid footing for them unlike most other speaker stands I've seen. Enjoy!!Remember, when you're running from something, you're running to something...-me
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Love your setup rooftop. Clean, comfortable and functional!
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No sir, I’m in Texas.
in reply to......
Very nice! How did you get the Walnut finish? Weren't the black ash in your "neighborhood" recently?
https://youtu.be/fLU_IYflUkQ
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Hmmm Small speakers, and big clocks. Priorities, priorities.
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. -
Paul, what time is it?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 -
Hmm...I can’t quite make it out. Don’t make me get off the couch darn it!!!Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
I like the crossed "7". Very au courant.
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Awesome thread so far. Where are we at with who is getting them next?Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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