Polk L200 Speaker Demo Reviews
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Thanks, Mike, nice review. I'll echo the sentiment above. You're too modest...you provided a thoughtful and informative presentation of your experience.
Your music choices and gear are similar to some of mine. I have 3.1tl's, 4.1tl's and MIT S1's so will be a like comparison. My PSA stack, IMHO, is pretty good and I've found the SDA's to scale very well as my gear's improved. I have similar hopes for the 200's.
Your observations on the 198 vs new tweeter are intriguing. I'm also very interested in evaluating the mids. Like you, I've found conventional speakers leave me underwhelmed when compared to SDA soundstage. I've gone on record saying the only way I'd get rid of the 1.2tl's in my primary system is if Polk created a better SDA, but, unfortunately, I have no dealers close to me so it'll be a challenge to hear the 800's anytime soon. At the very least, my time with the 200's will give me a taste of what the 800's might offer.
Based on your experience I'm looking forward to my turn with them. Thanks again for the review.
John➀Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) ➁Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio PMG Signature Pre, BHK Signature 250, PMG Signature 512 ➂Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S3.3 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" ➃Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant ➄Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends ➅Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬ -
Thanks, Mike, nice review. I'll echo the sentiment above. You're too modest...you provided a thoughtful and informative presentation of your experience.
Your music choices and gear are similar to some of mine. I have 3.1tl's, 4.1tl's and MIT S1's so will be a like comparison. My PSA stack, IMHO, is pretty good and I've found the SDA's to scale very well as my gear's improved. I have similar hopes for the 200's.
Your observations on the 198 vs new tweeter are intriguing. I'm also very interested in evaluating the mids. Like you, I've found conventional speakers leave me underwhelmed when compared to SDA soundstage. I've gone on record saying the only way I'd get rid of the 1.2tl's in my primary system is if Polk created a better SDA, but, unfortunately, I have no dealers close to me so it'll be a challenge to hear the 800's anytime soon. At the very least, my time with the 200's will give me a taste of what the 800's might offer.
Based on your experience I'm looking forward to my turn with them. Thanks again for the review.
John
Thank you John, I think you will enjoy the L200's. Their scale is no where near the SDA's, but still an enjoyable experience.
The one thing that stood out most to me was how "Intimate" the 200's were. I felt they did a good job at conveying the Artist emotions.
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Excellent write-up Mike! I really appreciate you listing the specific tracks you listened to while evaluating the speakers.
You are most welcome and I would be more than happy to have you over again any time. I enjoyed it as well!
You are correct in that the first thing that stood out to me (and the Mrs) was the forward vocal presentation of the L200's. That was a treat.
If I didn't say it in my review, I know I said it in a PM to Jesse - thank you, good sir, for putting this demo together!HT Speakers: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * RSL Speedwoofer 12S
HT: Samsung 75QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra * APC H10
2-Channel Audio: Von Schweikert VR-2 * Musical Fidelity M2si * WiiM Ultra * FiiO K11 R2R DAC
Vinyl: Technics SL-50C * Denon DL-110 MC * iFi Zen Phono 3 * KAB RF1
Video: LG OLED77B4PUA * Sony BDP-S470 * Roku Ultra * APC H10 -
Here’s hoping for a Legend SDA-CRS!
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Excellent review. You made me realize I should have played some Knopfler with Ruth Moody when I had them. They sure look good in your set-up too!
With Nigel Hitchcocks work on the Sax, Mark's usual Guitar excellence and Ruth at the mike, it's one of my favorites from that LP.Here’s hoping for a Legend SDA-CRS!
Wouldn't that be something, one can only hope!
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Great review Mike!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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What redesigned power port???
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"Enhanced Power Port Design: Extending the low-end, the upgraded Power Port technology produces less port noise and more bass than traditionally ported loudspeakers. Polk Audio improved the traditional Power Port design by smoothing out the port flare, which offers a smoother transition into the listening area and adds multiple dBs of bass response."
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Yeah ok, whatever. Looks like the same old power port to me.
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nooshinjohn wrote: »Yeah ok, whatever. Looks like the same old power port to me.
It’s not... today I thought my surround was on, so I walked up to my center channel to check. Nothing, but I did hear sound from behind the speaker. It was nearly full range sound, and at about twenty percent of the volume of what was coming from the front side. I have only heard dipoles do that little trick.
They have been placed about three feet from my back wall, and the center point of the sound field comes from about two feet behind the front plane of the speakers and extends forward 4 feet into the room, The rear power port does more than it is given credit for.
I had the L200's set up this same distance from the back wall as well.
I felt like the Vocals were a little recessed (around 2ft. behind the front baffles) but it makes sense that it was the port putting sound that far behind the speakers.
I thought the sound extended into the room 3-4 ft. because of the new style mid-driver. Regardless of what makes it happen, I enjoyed their Presentation.
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nooshinjohn wrote: »Yeah ok, whatever. Looks like the same old power port to me.
It’s not... today I thought my surround was on, so I walked up to my center channel to check. Nothing, but I did hear sound from behind the speaker. It was nearly full range sound, and at about twenty percent of the volume of what was coming from the front side. I have only heard dipoles do that little trick.
They have been placed about three feet from my back wall, and the center point of the sound field comes from about two feet behind the front plane of the speakers and extends forward 4 feet into the room, The rear power port does more than it is given credit for.
I heard nothing like that at Polk or here at my house. -
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It's your room.
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Great review, Mike. Another review that keeps the bar set high for future reviewers. Also very nice room.
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Got to meet 2 fellow Polkies @nooshinjohn and @civilian today. Listened to a great system, I was floored. Good people and tunes. Thanks for hosting.
Oh yeah that’s right I have the L200s, listening to them now and will give a review after I have them for awhile.
I will say that they put out a lot of sound for a bookie. Sound much bigger than they are.
Thanks @F1nut for coordinating.Living Room
Parasound HINT 6, Yamaha Aventage RX-A 1060, Oppo 103D, Cambridge Audio Azur 851N, KLH Model 5s, Polk CSi A6, Samsung 65" LED
Office
Yamaha A-S501, Auralic Aries Mini, LSiM 703s
Douglas Connection ICs and Cables -
Me likey your speaker end. BEAUTIFUL! I trust it “sounds” just as good. Other end looks comfy for extended listeningMike Reeter wrote: »
TonySamsung 60" QN65Q7FAMFXZA QLED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro, Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer
Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside
BJC 10 ga - LCR mids “Foamed” & “Plugged**”, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop)
LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels*. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - RB981*
Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981* -> Bi-amped CSi A6
Surrounds: Rotel 981* -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3
*all connected w/Premiere ICs
5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”
Power Conditioning & Distribution:
4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s -
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Hmmf... your review (placement details) tells me how little I know. I’ve thought for years “Bookies” usually care-free about placement. 🤔Samsung 60" QN65Q7FAMFXZA QLED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro, Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer
Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside
BJC 10 ga - LCR mids “Foamed” & “Plugged**”, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop)
LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels*. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - RB981*
Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981* -> Bi-amped CSi A6
Surrounds: Rotel 981* -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3
*all connected w/Premiere ICs
5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”
Power Conditioning & Distribution:
4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s -
Hmmf... your review (placement details) tells me how little I know. I’ve thought for years “Bookies” usually care-free about placement. 🤔
Years ago, they were -- modern ones (based on my limited but rather bitter experience) are quite picky indeed. To the point that, in 2020 (and, again, in my limited empirical experience), bookshelf speaker is a complete misnomer.
Stand mount loudspeaker seems to me to be a more apt term for little loudspeakers like the L200.
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Some stand mount bookies are very placement dependent and some, not as much but all can benefit from playing with the placement.
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Solid review John.
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Nice review, another hard act to follow.Living Room
Parasound HINT 6, Yamaha Aventage RX-A 1060, Oppo 103D, Cambridge Audio Azur 851N, KLH Model 5s, Polk CSi A6, Samsung 65" LED
Office
Yamaha A-S501, Auralic Aries Mini, LSiM 703s
Douglas Connection ICs and Cables -
Agreed, those still waiting aren't going to have much left to say other than, yep, we agree, they do that!Up
LSi15 LSiC - RX-V3000
Down
LSiM707 - 706c - 702f/x - Dual HSU VTF-15H Mk2
Parasound HCA-3500 - HCA-2003A - Marantz SR7005
Sim2 D60 - Dragonfly 106" Panny 500 -
Nice review John. I totally agree with your assessment of the Polk logo on the grills, drove me nuts too. IMHO if it would have been the size of the logo on the front of the cabinet it would have been fine, none would have been better...Remember, when you're running from something, you're running to something...-me
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I never took the grills out of the plastic, and it didn’t look like anyone before me had either...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 -
Can someone post a pic of the grills? I can't seem to find a pic of them, even on Polk's website.
