Well, I ordered me one of the Polk...

[dennismurphy]

$50 specials. I'm expecting a resonant cabinet, highs peaked about 3 dB, a hole in the response around the crossover frequency, and something funky going on in the woofer response around 900 Hz. I'll post the actual response when I get the thing next week.

[shawn_a]

> $50 specials. I'm expecting a resonant
> cabinet, highs peaked about 3 dB, a hole in
> the response around the crossover frequency,
> and something funky going on in the woofer
> response around 900 Hz. I'll post the actual
> response when I get the thing next week.

Don't even get me started on these things. I've been toying around with ordering up a pair of those AR bookshelf speakers for about the same price. I'm wondering about the woofers used for one thing. I can't wait to see what you come up with on the Polks. Or are they really Porks?

shawn

[bking]

Does a little voice in your head cause you to do this kind of thing? Here's hoping you can produce the proverbial silk purse out of a Polk's ear.

[spasticteapot]

> Don't even get me started on these things.
> I've been toying around with ordering up a
> pair of those AR bookshelf speakers for
> about the same price. I'm wondering about
> the woofers used for one thing. I can't wait
> to see what you come up with on the Polks.
> Or are they really Porks?

> shawn

Which speakers are those in the picture?

[shawn_a]

Here ya be:

<A HREF="http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4029539">http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4029539</A>

shawn

[johnl]

> Does a little voice in your head cause you
> to do this kind of thing? Here's hoping you
> can produce the proverbial silk purse out of
> a Polk's ear.

It's too bad that the forum setup does not allow for Smileys.

[jkrutke]

I'll be posting results on those later tonight. Off the shelf, I'd say it performs a bit better than the Insignia, but it's also not easily modifiable. No visible screws anywhere and the front shaped foam baffle is glued over the drivers. Since it can't be easily opened up without damage, I won't be doing any sort of upgrade crossover. They don't really need it as much anyway.

The other thing - the price on those was $69 at J&R just a couple of days ago. That's too bad, it's a lot of speaker for $69.

I'll also look forward to Dennis' evaluation of the Polks. One interesting thing about that deal at Fry's - shipping to me for those towers are about $20 for the pair. I've shipped speakers that big myself a couple times, and it cost me about 4 times as much. I'm not sure how they do that. Maybe the walls are only 3/8" particle board. But if not, it's worth it for the boxes alone. I'll await Dennis' comments on the enclosure as much as the drivers and crossover.


(Originally posted by: jkrutke)

[dlr]

> I'll also look forward to Dennis' evaluation
> of the Polks. One interesting thing about
> that deal at Fry's - shipping to me for
> those towers are about $20 for the pair.
> I've shipped speakers that big myself a
> couple times, and it cost me about 4 times
> as much. I'm not sure how they do that.

Cost of shipping is too often the deal breaker for me.

> Maybe the walls are only 3/8" particle
> board. But if not, it's worth it for the
> boxes alone. I'll await Dennis' comments on
> the enclosure as much as the drivers and
> crossover.

The Frys site says mdf, but I'll bet it's 1/2". Still, some bracing could be added. It may still be a good cost/benefit value.

dlr

[porper]

Dennis - we're all waiting with great anticipation on your analysis of these speakers.

> $50 specials. I'm expecting a resonant
> cabinet, highs peaked about 3 dB, a hole in
> the response around the crossover frequency,
> and something funky going on in the woofer
> response around 900 Hz. I'll post the actual
> response when I get the thing next week.

[shawn_a]

I'm looking at getting the one with the 6 1/2" woofer for a look-see. I'll probably keep them around for workshop speakers if nothing else. I just looked at JR Music again and didn't see the 5 1/4" woofer version but I know it was there a week or so ago for the $70 price. Hmmmm.

shawn

[jkrutke]

Provided Link: Polk R50


The 5-1/2" one. I see the 6-1/2" model there for the same price. To be posted later on tonight. (lots on my after work to do list)

Also, I see that Frys has the Polk "R50" for $69. How bad could it be? Depending on DM's report of box quality, I'll be buying a set of those just for the boxes.

> I'm looking at getting the one with the 6
> 1/2" woofer for a look-see. I'll
> probably keep them around for workshop
> speakers if nothing else. I just looked at
> JR Music again and didn't see the 5
> 1/4" woofer version but I know it was
> there a week or so ago for the $70 price.
> Hmmmm.

> shawn



(Originally posted by: jkrutke)

[dennymo]

From the Polk website:
"Acoustically inert MDF cabinet"
Cabinet Size 33" H x 7-3/4" W x 8-3/8" D
Weight 30 lbs each

Does this info give any indication of the thickness of MDF used?

[shawn_a]

I've bought a couple of pairs of speakers simply because the cabinets looked to be of decent enough quality for a DIY re-fit. Every once in awhile I'll cull a driver out of one that might be useful in another project but that's rare. I might trek over to Indy this weekend if I have the chance and check out those Polks.

Seeing how the AR pieces are that resistant to upgrades I'll wait to see what your results are before I hit the Buy button. Thanks.

shawn

[johnl]

Speaking of the R50s, here is the Polk page on the product.

<A HREF="http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/r50/">http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/r50/</A>

And here is what some buyers have to say about the speakers.

<A HREF="http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speak...8_1594crx.aspx">http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speak...8_1594crx.aspx</A>

[porper]

The R50 for $69 each looks like a much better deal
2 woofers.

Dennis (if you read this)- would it be of any interest to you to refuse the first Polk (the single sixer) and get the R50 instead? Just a thought.

> The 5-1/2" one. I see the 6-1/2"
> model there for the same price. To be posted
> later on tonight. (lots on my after work to
> do list)

> Also, I see that Frys has the Polk
> "R50" for $69. How bad could it
> be? Depending on DM's report of box quality,
> I'll be buying a set of those just for the
> boxes.