TheKid72

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.18 of 5, 11.00 votes

Price Paid:  $120.00 from Frys.com

Summary:
The Polk R series has proven to be one of the best bargains in affordable loudspeakers on the market. Any "sins" are of omission such as limitations, as they are impressively free of serious coloration and peaks that so often plagues loudspeakers in this market and real-world street price point.

The R50 is no exception, and may be the best bang for the buck of the entire R series. I've read comments that these are great for HT but no music - like heck they are! These are a revealing loudspeaker that is not forgiving of the cheap electronics they are likely going to be connected to. When I first purchased them, I had them on a 30 year old entry level receiver where the sound was so-so. Then as I upgraded to a new Onkyo receiver, let the Audyssey system do it's automatic setup, and enjoy.

Midrange imaging is impressive . As others have stated, you'd swear there was a center channel speaker installed. On the same token, these aren't so revealing that the image extends beyond the width of their placement - no 3D soundfield here. The image expands from speaker to speaker - no further, no closer or farther away.

Treble is pleasantly airy and natural, without any peak to add "zing" to the music. Dispersion is wide, sound is open, transistion from the mid-bass drivers is smooth.

Bass - now here is where I have to disagree with most comments about these. In my setup, running them as a sterep pair without a subwoofer, they have more than ample extension for real-world music reproduction. The bass extends below what their 50Hz -3db point would leave you to expect. If anything, if driven by good electonics, most people would not need a subwoofer for music (unless providing the block with music) - but would for home theater. I strongly suspect that those who have issues with limited, strained output are really hearing their receivers run out of clean power.

Now I've been an audiophile for decades. I've owned very good equipment both in electronics and loudspeakers over the years. In preparation for a move, I sold everything - now my move has been delayed and I was climbing the walls without music. To say that I enjoy listening to music through these speakers says a lot!

In summary, these may be from Polk's entry level point, but they are now emtry level schlock. How good they sound depends on what you are driving them with. Like the Advent Loudspekers of the 1970s (which I owned back then), they are affordable, but don't mate them with budget electronics and expect much. Spend the money you saved by buying these vs. another costlier model - and invest it in the best electronics you can afford.

Strengths:
Overall natural and neutral tonal balance. Tight, extended bass when used with good electronics for music reproduction. Airy treble and respectable midrange detail for this price point. Nice fit and finish for their cost.

Weaknesses:
At this price point, all audible sins can be forgiven. For many buyers who aren't knowledgeable of differences in brands of receivers, these may be too revealing of other component shortcomings. For those who drive these with good electonics, you'll notice a lack of "space" and 3D imaging - but again look at the street price!

Similar Products Used:
ACI Sapphire, PSB Stratus Silver, Ohm Walsh 2,. Magnapan MMG, Infinity Reference Studio Monitor (pre-Harmon era), M&K S-1 - the list goes on and on.

Fact

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.14 of 5, 7.00 votes

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Frys

Summary:
The imaging is great. 7 feet away it sound like there's a center speaker. Great for a 7.1 movie system. Would recommend something higher end for music listening.

Strengths:
5.1 or 7.1 movie speakers

Weaknesses:
you'll eventually want something better for music listening

Similar Products Used:
crack w_hore name Bose

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Fry's

Summary:
The previous review is correct about the awesome imaging. It does feel like there is a center channel there setting only 7 feet away. Ideal for a 7.1 system. Would recommend something higher end for music listening.

Strengths:
Easily far better than any HTIB system out there. Definitely recommended for anyone trying to build a home theater system

Weaknesses:
Not for music listening. Although not bad, most will eventually prefer something higher end.

Similar Products Used:
crack w_hore at the corner of 5th and Main

Price Paid:  $200.00 from ebay

Summary:
A friend of mine had a pair of R30s being run by an old Marantz and I thought that they sounded good, so I read a few reviews and thought that the r50s would be a good buy. When I first got them, my immediate impression was that they sounded good, especially for the money, but that they weren't by any means the best for the money. However, after a few weeks of continuous use (they're being run on my 1969 Sansui Solid State 5000), they've improved a lot. The bass is tight and never sloppy, the separation of the instruments is usually excellent, and the mids and highs are smooth and clear. I don't use a sub, and these speakers have more than enough bass for me (even with the bass control turned down by about 15%). My only complaint is that sometimes the imaging isn't the best, but this seems to depend more on the audio source than the speakers themselves. Considering the money I spent, these speakers have been a pleasure to listen to, and they look pretty sharp to boot (I got them in the cherry finish--very nice).

Strengths:
tight, accurate bass, instrumental separation, highs, simple but stylish looks, versatile (I use them equally for music, T.V., and movies), price

Weaknesses:
imaging (depending on the sound source)....might not be quite enough bass for people who want to rattle their fillings our of their heads

Similar Products Used:
vintage JBLs, Realistic Minimus 7s, Cerwin Vega, Infinity

toplaidback

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 10.00 votes

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Fry's Outpost

Summary:
Was looking to replace KLH dual 12 inch three ways. KLH's sounded good but the size overpowered the room. Found these at Fry's for 200 total for the set. Received and unboxed was impressed the cherry edition looked great and was just the right size. After break-in the sound quality is impressive. Picked up quite a bit of detail especially at mid and high range that had been missed before. Ending up replacing old center with JBL EC-35 center( little better with vocals than Polk) and Bose surrounds with r15s. The combination of the EC35 and r50s works out wonderfully. Polks strength at instruments and JBLs little stronger on vocals.

Imaging? Have gone from surround mode to stereo and still sounded like center speaker was functioning. You don't get much better than that. Can over-drive the r50s but to get to that point you have gone way past a comfortable listening point. Bass response is adequate but I have an AudioSource 200w 15 inch sub so bass is not a concern.

To sum up: for 200 bucks you get the most bang for the buck anywhere. Would highly recommend them to any one who wants a clear realistic speaker at a price that is almost unbelievable.

Strengths:
Great price from Fry's, good appearance and size, sound quality is better than my Wharfedales, ARs, Bose or KLHs, imaging is impressive. Instruments are life like.

Weaknesses:
Appearance w/out grill is not that impressive, can over-drive if you are willing to get to point of over-loudness. Male vocals a little muted.

Similar Products Used:
ARs, Bose, KLH, Wharfedale.