aargonaut

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $40.00 from Fry's Electronics

Summary:
These are an inexpensive speaker made in China. I purchased them on sale for half price as a replacement for some Acoustic Research AR 215PS speakers which I had been using on one of my computers. (I have been really unhappy with the ARs.) Between the computer and the speakers is a 25 year old 40 watt/channel Harman Kardon HK495i stereo receiver. Since the Polks are being used as a computer speaker, I didn't want to spend lots of money.

The cost, size and weight of the Polk and the AR speakers are almost identical; however, in my opinion, the Polks sound much better. The ARs are harsh and brittle. The Polk uses a 1" soft dome tweeter which is much smoother. The use of a good tweeter improves the midrange as well.

They do sound a bit hollow, which I guess is due to the lack of any baffeling material inside the box. This can be fixed easily: I went to the local sewing shop and picked up a $2 bag of fiber fill used to make stuffed toys, took off the woofers, shoved a fair amount of the fill inside, replaced the woofer, and the speakers no longer sound hollow, and are moderately warm sounding and easy to listen to.

There is not much at the bottom end, which is not surprising given their size. (The literature says they are -3db at 65Hz.) They also do not have great power handling capacity. They would also benefit from an inexpensive subwoofer. Since they cost almost nothing, they are well worth the price in an inexpensive system.

Strengths:
Very good sound for the price. Nice soft dome tweeter which is better than found in most speakers which retail under $90.

Weaknesses:
Needs stuffing. Short on power handling capacity.

Similar Products Used:
AR PS214

mariahholt

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $50.00 from Circuit City Online

Summary:
The speakers from my multi-media computer setup died on me one day, the amp for the speakers was still good. So I ordered these online after reading good reviews on them. Ive had them for about 6 months now.

Strengths:
Small, fit nicely on the backside of my computer table. Thinking about hanging them up on the wall. For the money I’ve got invented in this setup. I would say to blows away any 2.1 multi-media speaker setup for anyone.

Weaknesses:
Not a lot of base, but that’s what I expected from them. I’ve got a 12” Dayton Sub parked under the desk, makes up for it.

Similar Products Used:
Altec multi-media speakers 3 different setups, and they all suck compared to this.

Sal30

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $51.00 from OUTPOST.COM

Summary:
I purchased these when they were on sale. At first I wasn't that impressed with them, but once I broke them in, they sounded incredible. I still think that the Jensens were a better deal because I got them new for $21.18, but the Polks were one step above. I actually bought the legendary Athena Point 5 MKII system later, and I didn't think the sound was as good as the Polks so I sold the Athena system on Ebay and bought one Polk Csi25 Center and another pair of Polk R15s, and I will buy another pair of Polk R15s the next time they go on sale to complete my 7.1 channel system. I love my Athena AS-P4000 Sub, but the Athena Point 5 was just outclassed by the Polks in my opinon. I love how you can set an 80hz crossover with no problem with the Polks, but the Athenas had trouble and they sounded much tinier than the Polks.

Strengths:
Price
Warm Mids
Silky Smooth Slightly Bright Treble

Weaknesses:
Doesn't have the deep bass that the Jensen CJRs had, but no other speaker this size can compare with those Jensens in the Bass department anyway, and if you have a Sub the lack of deep bass is not important.

Similar Products Used:
Jensen CJR Bookshelves

Athena S.5 Bookshelves

calegrant

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $100.00 from Futureshop

Summary:
I was planning on continuing my use of Athena and went in to look at a set of athena bookshelves when I saw these. $100cnd is a hell of deal for these guys, they have great clarity for the price and I've heard no distortion. They match my floors nicely, and with the addtion of a sub next month my starter system will be complete

Strengths:
Value Sound quality

Weaknesses:
Poor mounting system, keyhole slot in wood for speakers this size is not practicle. I had to drill into them.

Similar Products Used:
none

gcook67

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
2.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $139.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
These are amazing speakers! I am using these as my rear surrounds in place of my Wimpy Bose cubes and what a huge difference. These have completed my Polk home theatre system. I am currently using a Kenwood VR8050 receiver, Polk CS1 center, Polk R30 fronts, Polk PSW10 subwoofer and Polk R15 as my rear speakers and this system kicks butt.

Strengths:
Very tight base and very good imaging.

Weaknesses:
None at all!!