Price Paid:  $950.00 from Crutchfield

Summary:
These speakers are very good for the money. Compaired to others in this price range, these puppies have them beat hands down. They are tight and bright. After hooking up these speakers I ran the RTA on my Behringer Ultra Curve (1/3 oct. eq) and the results were amazing. The auto eq made hardly and changes in the specturm. I could take it in and out of loop over and over with less than 5% difference in total sound quality and freq responce. I double checked my reference microphone hook up and re-ran the RTA over again to make sure I was seeing the right thing. Amazing, the speakers completely made up for all the room fault that I had been "tuning" for the past 2 years.

Like other people have stated in thier reviews, you have to drive these speakers. High current amps with true/clean wattage is the a key player in the preformance. You will find very quickly that you need the extra wattage for (lack of a better term) headroom. Don't expect find a sutable preformance in a any big box electronic store receiver.

I have also found that bi-amping is a major player in getting the best preformance. At both low and high volume bi-amping makes 110% difference in sound quality. By powering the lower drivers with a few more watts than the top end, you can tone down the brightness a bit and eleminate the need for sub. It also dramatically improves the tone quality at lower volumes for causual listening.

I recommend as bare minimum setup, you give provide 100-135 watts per speakers. As an optimal setup, I would highly recommend bi-amping; with 150-200 watts on the high end and 200-250 watts on the low end of the cabinet.

Anyone not satisfied with the output of the cabinets or complaining they need a sub, does not have these speakers setup or powered properly. I would only recommend addind a sub if you room size is larger than 25x25. Even then, I believe it you could compensate by proper placement and bi-amp balancing. If you just can't get enough air moving for your taste, I would recommend using a Polk PSW600 or PSW1000. I haven't heard that first hand but it has to be awsome.

As far as the tone quality of the cabinet, the top end is very transparent and bright. The low end of the cabinet has very little coloration to the sound due to the twin cabinet ports. Every detail and every instrument can be heard crystal clear.

Construction is rock soild. I have heard many people complain about the front grills. They are not that bad. They are a bit fragile but, on the other hand, they are not ment to be taken on and off daily either. I wouldn't worry about them. Just be carefull when removing them and only do it as needed.

As far as the outriggers go, I tbelieve that metal would have been a much better choice insted of plastic. The sharp pointed feet seem like they would be damaing to hardwood or just plain annoying on tile. I would like to have seen an additional set of feet in each box that were flat bottomed. I haven't currently had an issue with this becuase I have carpet but, I can only imagine that it could be frustrating.

Overall, I don't believe you will find a better bang for the buck. These speakers are not quite audiophile equipment but, they are as very close (to low end audiophile gear). For the money, I don't think anyone will go wrong. Just remember, power is the key.

Strengths:
Soild construction, excellent sound (prepared to be impressed), tight bass responce, power handling ability, and flexable amping setups. Very good bang for the buck. Polk provides a free eviction notice if you live in an apartment or attached housing. These speakers can also provide you with a great opportunity to meet your local law enforcement. Rock on!

Weaknesses:
Outriggers were a little weak (plastic). Size and shape are a bit awkward. No weaknesses to really be conserned over.

Similar Products Used:
Other Polk loudspeakers. B&W, Infinity, JBL, and more.

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Lockport

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $399.00 from J&R Music World

Summary:
These are FANTASTIC. They have a presence and depth that is unbelievably distinguishable, but you MUST have heavy power to drive them. Remember there are three 7.5" woofers, two 5.25 midrange and a 1" tweeter. That;s a lot of magnets to drive. I have a pair of Adcom Monobloacks at 300 watts into 8 ohms and they don't even need a subwoofer. I have heard others say they were a little weak here, but I must question if you provided sufficient power to get them really working.

That being said they are rich and articulate. Set up off the floor on there spikes they sit out by themselves and draw your attention to their weightiness. I don't think could be more pleased with my decision to go with these.

Strengths:
Presence, clarity, attention grabbing command of your audio senses.

Weaknesses:
They do need big power. Hooking these straifght into a 5, 6, or 7 channel amp at 100-150 watts just won't cut it in my opinion. You really need to give them a quality amp at around 300 watts per side.

EL34KT88

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.83 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $650.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
These are really good speakers. After first hooking them up, was a little disappointed. Played with placement and then WOW! Great clarity and detail. Very accurate but a tad analytical. Hooked up my tubes amps and that little issue was solved. Bought more for music and was surprised how they improved the home theater experience. A sub helps these speakers but they have very fast and accurate bass. For the money you would have a difficult time buying a better speaker. These sell new to the door for less than $1200. Listened to and owned many speakers. Have used in both large and small room with great results. These were purchased for temporary use but now no hurry to upgrade.

Strengths:
Clarity and detail

Weaknesses:
Bass but in this price range any speaker that sounds this good will not have a ton of bass, well unless it boomy.

Similar Products Used:
Thiel, B&W, Vanderteen, Magnapan and Paragim.

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Acoustic Sound Desig

Summary:
Great Prices and friendly service. was able to speak to someone everytime I called with a question. Received my Polk Audio Rti12's in great condition. Ecellent place to get your stuff!!

jasonjpatterson

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.50 of 5, 10.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from on line

Summary:
These are GREAT speakers!!!! However, you MUST drive them. I fully auditioned Klipsch RF-7 and Polk Audio RTi12. Out of the gate the Klipsch killed em. If you're ONLY going with 2 fronts and want to impress the friends...the Klipsch are the biggest bang for the buck.
Price was a few hundred either way so that wasn't really a factor.
Butt!...If you plan on going the "mile" and have the budget; the Polk are most definitely the winners. The Klipsch are by far the best bang for the buck. But it you have the cash to include the Polk PSW1000, CSi5, and FX rears.....(or something there abouts) that's when they really stand out. If any of you out there like cars - The Klipsch are the Infinity - bad ass out of the gate - the Polk system is the Lexus. Smooth, crystal clear through the whole range (get the sub!!!!! you'll be disappointed without it). I
Had the fortune to know friends who had both and let me bring my amp (Carver Sunfire) to both.
Bottom line:
Overall package review:
Polk wins in MY case... but a LOT more money when considering you really have to buy a huge sub and a MASSIVE amp.
Klipsch RF-7 = the hotrod of the bunch. I've had my system for almost a year and still wonder about my choice......unit I push the volume past where normal people might like it....way past!!!! (Remember..The amp WILL cost you more than your speakers if you go with the Polk.)

Strengths:
The best sounding speakers (for the money) if you put a HUGE sub beside them. So.. the best high/mid range speakers or around 1k.
Better looking than the Klipsch - if that matters to you......

Weaknesses:
Not that great of low end. Must drive the hell out of them. Must be accompanied by a subwoofer (big one).

Similar Products Used:
Klipsch RF-7