Polk quality frequency range watt handling ability

poor bass - as expected

For starters, I paid what I did only because I was in a hurry to install them. I would have shopped online and saved some $$ had I had more time. I purchased these for background music in my master bedroom. However, before I purchased, I wired my "Home Theater Direct" www.htaudio.com inwall speakers (used for my rear channel on my HT)to my receiver's front speaker jacks to get an idea of how inwall's sound as a main speaker. The HT Direct speakers were pretty weak, until I lit up the subwoofer, then they cranked pretty well. I went with the Polk's because of reputation, specifications and availability. I actually wired them through a Polk PSW250 Sub (100 watt/8" driver) and they sound pretty damn good. Without the sub, they could be used in an elevator (or rear channel for a HT)for all I care.

Similar Products Used:

Home Theater Direct HTD AL-W80 Inwall Speakers

Price Ease of installation Aimable tweeter

none apparent

Bought these for use as rears on my HT without having heard them anywhere. During recent home construction, I had already wired for speakers so it was simply cut the hole and slide in - could not be easier. Set up as mains to see how they actually sound and they were pretty good although they don't compare with the Klipsch Heresy speakers that are in front. As rears, they sound very good after getting the tweeter set for sitting on the sofa - the aimable tweeter is what really brought these out as rears. This may not be a factor in a smaller room but they are about 24' from the front and separated by about 13' in the rear in a room that is 28' x 20' and open to other areas. May upgrade these in the future but they will stay while I upgrade other items and go with in-wall front speakers (yes I will retire the Heresy boxes to the master bedroom). The Polks will definitely sound good in a study or extra bedroom in a whole-house system. These are good speakers at an excellent price ($130 + shippng on eBay - New in box) and you should feel OK buying these, at that type of price, unheard. At retail, I would have to shop and listen to some others. Won't rate a 5 as these are not truly outstanding speakers based on A/B comparison as Front speakers with the Klipsch. Definitely a 5 for value at auction prices.