Polk Audio RT7 Review

Specs:
Mid/Woofer 1 - 7-1/2" Diameter
Tweeter 1 - 1" Diameter Tri-laminate Dome tweeter
49Hz - 25kHz -3db / 8 ohms Efficiency / 89 dB
Cabinet Size 19" H x 9-1/2" W x 11-1/2" D
Vented Enclosure, dual ports

Equipment used:
Carver m200t amp, 100wrms/ch
Yamaha C40 Preamp
ADC 16/2 CD, dual 16 bit Burr-Brown DACs
Quadraflex Reference Turntable
Straight Wire Rythm Speaker Cable
Audioquest Copperhead Interconnects

This is a BIG bookshelf speaker to begin with. (just a hair smaller than the RT55). It really portrays quite a 'presence' in my room. The finish is par for the course, as are the gold binding posts. Nothing special, but nothing lacking either.

The driver contruction seems very well done (on appearance only at this point). Rubber surrounds, poly cone, and the first version of the Polk Tri-laminate soft dome. The ports are flared, and the grill connects with 4 posts, and the frame is very rigid.

I spent an extened listening session over the past 2 days with records and cds from the likes of Muddy Waters, Benny Goodman, Diana Krall, Nickleback, Pink Floyd, Joe Walsh, Dave Matthews, Rush, Chris Rea, Shawn Mullins, and Sheryl Crow, to name a *few*.

The overall tonal quality of this speaker I would say is on the warm side of neutral. I've listened to other 2-way designs using a 'larger' woofer, Ie: 7, 7.5, 8 inch, and it seems as if some manufacturers have a hard time getting them blend properly with the tweeter. Polk obviously did not have these issues. I attribute part of this to the rigid cone/suspension on the midwoof, and the low resonant freq of the tweeter.

Highs seemed to sparkle, but did not become fatiguing in the least. The RT7 is definately not the last word in detail, but the tri-laminate seems to offer some of the best qualties of the soft silk, and hard metal domes (in general). Some may view this as a bad compromise, a sort of jack of all trades, yet master of none. I think it is a GREAT compromise, that offers versatility throughout many generes of music. The tri-lam had enough detail, without fatique, and it still retained an open, spacious soundstage. There was no tinnyness or shrill, and the output seemed well balanced at low and high listening levels.

Mids/vocals, very satisfactory. I bought my B&W's, because the midrange is very clear, if not ever so slightly forward on some recordings. I had no trouble with the Polks 'laid back' lower mids, and all vocals remained clear, and distiguishable. Even under high spl runs (95+ db), I didn't notice any 'breakup', or loss of clarity (with the mid/woof under high excursion). The transistion to the tweeter was seemless, at least to my ears.

Lows are pretty much dead on. What you do get in bass seems to have virtually no overhang, and notes seemed to finish sharp, as if I was dealing with a sealed design. I did however feel, without asking too much from a shelf design, that the low end did not reach down as far as I expected it to. Yes, it is a shelf speaker, but a large one, with a large driver, and dual ports nonetheless. I did NOT feel cheated, but yearned for, nay expected, just a little more. HOWEVER, I will say that I feel these speakers can stand alone musically for most listeners in a 2ch rig.

They originally sold for around $500/pair in the mid to late 90's, but can be had well under $200 used IF you can find an owner willing to part with them. A great all-around bookshelf speaker at the new asking price, a STEAL used for the budget minded audiophile. These will not leave my collection.

Cheers,
Russ