Reserve Bookshelf speakers.

mantis
mantis Posts: 17,310
in Speakers
Hello everyone,
I always feel like a broken record with the inability to go hear certain speakers, usually Polks as no one has the reserve line to go listen to.

As most of you know, this line I think has got the most praise out of any Polk line from the past. So I'm also certain a lot of you most likely at least heard them or own them.

I'm thinking of grabbing a pair for my Office. My Office isn't big so a nice pair of bookshelf speaker I think would do much better in here than floor standers. I have a few subs to choose from to put in here to complete the bottom end.

So what is your thoughts on the R100 and R200 Bookself speakers? I know VR3 likes the LSI line better.
Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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Comments

  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,395
    You're like a broken record. How many times are you going to ask before you just pull the trigger...lol

    I too am like you and have tendencies to "over evaluate" some purchases. Here's one of my threads shortly after purchasing the R200's. There is some other discussion besides just stands.

    FTR, they are impressive for their size, punch higher than their class and really never misstep. I know some on here are hyper critical, like VR3, which I value his opinion. To me these sound like Polks of yesteryear more than anything they've sold for quite some time.

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/196201/r200-speaker-stands#latest

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,441
    edited November 14
    I really like my R200, but I use them with an HT receiver and a sub. I did use them for a short time without a sub in my pure analog 2-ch system and they were undersized for the room (which has 18' ceilings and is open to multiple rooms). Even without a sub, they were surprisingly capable. They do have really good bass for a single 6.5" woofer, and depending how small your office is, it might be too much. What else have you tried in the office space? You might be fine with a pair of R100 in a small room. I haven't heard the R100 so I can't say if they are as pleasing as the R200. Suggestion: Buy a pair of either one used, hopefully for less than $350/pr, and you should be able to re-sell them for a wash if they don't work.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,395
    This generation Vifa tweeter is something special. Really makes the upper register shine. Never fatiguing and very airy and clean.

    Listening to mine right now.......just fantastic.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,310
    heiney9 wrote: »
    You're like a broken record. How many times are you going to ask before you just pull the trigger...lol

    I too am like you and have tendencies to "over evaluate" some purchases. Here's one of my threads shortly after purchasing the R200's. There is some other discussion besides just stands.

    FTR, they are impressive for their size, punch higher than their class and really never misstep. I know some on here are hyper critical, like VR3, which I value his opinion. To me these sound like Polks of yesteryear more than anything they've sold for quite some time.

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/196201/r200-speaker-stands#latest

    H9

    Thanks man, I'm gonna go check that out. What's funny is they are amazingly affordable even IF I paid full price. I just don't like buying anything without hearing them.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,382
    Last I checked Polk paid return shipping?

    Literally no risk
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,310
    VR3 wrote: »
    Last I checked Polk paid return shipping?

    Literally no risk

    I'm gonna reach out to Polk and just buy a Pair of R100 or R200. The R100's seem to fit my bill here in my Office a bit better.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,614
    I found the R200 to be too large to be practical as desktop speakers. Their cabinets are deep. The R100s are better for that purpose. But, both models have been on sale for a while now and the R200s are only $80 a pair more than the R100s. If space isn't a consideration I'd always get the R200s over the R100s.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,902
    These recent posts are 'convincing' me to buy a pair of R100 for the "den" (i.e., for the modest hifi connected to our TV, and also used to play, relentlessly, "holiday music"... the time for which is right around the corner (Mariah Carey notwithstanding). :#

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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,902
    i0qw2h7274id.png
    plus a 10% coupon would soften the blow a little... still kind of pricey (although, admittedly, I still see the world in the context of pre-COVID prices :().
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  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 3,992
    The R200’s have been my main speakers ever since they were first available. In fact bought mine when Polk offered a generous discount here for forum members. It was some 40/10% off IIRC. I know I paid less than $400 with free shipping.

    Anyway they work well in my medium size room. I agree with a previous comment that they would be too large for a smallish office.
    Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel…….Samuel Johnson

    Since we don’t know where we are going we have to stick together in case someone gets there….Ken Kesey

    To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.
    – Kevin Alfred Strom
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,395
    edited November 18
    https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/polkr100-brn/polk-audio-reserve-r100-pair-5.25-bookshelf-speakers-brown/1.html

    I bought my ES20's from here (refurbs). The box and contents looked brand spanking new. Slightly less warranty as refurb's.

    Also my Marantz PM6007 a refurb. Looked brand new, even the remote was still sealed and fresh.

    Buy without hesitation.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,322
    Just curious why the L100 aren't in these conversations?
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 26,915
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Just curious why the L100 aren't in these conversations?

    Are they even available anywhere?
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,902
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Just curious why the L100 aren't in these conversations?

    Are they even available anywhere?
    Well... used, one would think(?).
    :)
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,614
    Accessories4less has some factory refurbished L100s @ $599 a pair.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,310
    Emlyn wrote: »
    Accessories4less has some factory refurbished L100s @ $599 a pair.
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Just curious why the L100 aren't in these conversations?

    I think because they are not a popular model, Polk discontinued them awhile ago, the Legend line to me wasn't very attractive , I had a pair of L200's here and yes they where very nice sounding. Back during Covid , the forum had a demo program where we all got on a list and gave them a try. I don't remember them grabbing me to the point I wanted a pair but I was also not looking for bookshelf speakers , things have changed.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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