Speaker Questions


Hello. I am looking to get some new speakers but I am on a relatively tight budget. WAF is important for me in the buying decision.

I have found a pair of Polk Audio S50 towers for $200 each and that seems like a good deal, but I don't really see any Polk Audio on the recommended lists. Not even in the WAF section. I would prefer a Tower speaker, but I suppose I could go with some good bookshelves on stands.

Here's what I'm considering;Polk S50 Towers (White)Polk S30 Center (White)Polk ES15 Rear's (White)Polk RC60i In Ceiling speakers (for atmos)

All in, I can get this for about $880. It SEEMS like a good set, though I have nowhere to listen to it locally. I really like the aesthetic and haven't had any arguments from the SO yet.

That all being said, the fact that these don't come "recommended" in any of the buying guides has me worried that I am doing myself a disservice by not looking at other speakers.

I don't see ANY white towers anywhere near that range, but there are some bookshelf ones. More specifically, I could get the KEF Q150's for L & R at $300/pair, but then I don't know where I would be able to go from here for center, surround, and atmos speakers. Would the KEF Bookshelf be better than the polk tower? I'm in need of some guidance here.

Thanks!j

ehansigno

If you're seriously considering Polk, you need to step up to the Reserve series, which I see are also available in white.  They have been receiving excellent reviews.

since it seems to matter, the Polk T50 was included by R. Greene in the current TAS Best of 2022...

@8th-note 

 

first thing to get right is “audiophile geeks” don’t mix HT with two channel. OP has not stated his level of two channel. No the obvious Polk like most speaker companies make different levels for speaker lines. I will 100% take a personal experience review here over a mag review that accepts advertising from a company. 

If willing to go used I bet you can get some Polk LSIM speakers for around that price (705 or 703). Betting they would be a huge upgrade over the S50s. 

@rlj .....have 3 felines that have yet to be exposed to 'naked' drivers.....

Yeah, there's the pump sprayer for elsewhere, but speakers.....no.

I'm thinking a loud blast of white noise ought to change curiosity into a hasty retreat. ;)