I always like to layout the specs side by side, or in this case top to bottom. It's not a listening test, but provides some insight for direct comparison on paper.
Polk R50:
Driver Complement
Mid/Woofer 2 - 6-1/2" Diameter (16.51cm)
Dynamic Balance Polymer/mineral composite cones, shielded
Tweeter 1 - 3/4" Diameter (1.91cm)
Dynamic Balance silk/polymer composite dome, shielded
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Electrical
Overall Frequency Response 40Hz - 24kHz
Lower -3dB Limit 50Hz
Upper -3dB Limit 20kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power 20 - 150 w/channel
Efficiency 90 dB
Inputs 5-way binding posts
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Dimensions
Cabinet Size 36-3/4" H x 7-3/4" W x 11-7/8" D
(93.34cm H x 19.68cm W x 30.16cm D)
Enclosure Type Vented
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Shipping/Other
Shipping unit: each
Total Shipping Weight 40.00 lbs. (18.14kgs)
Speaker Warranty Five years parts and labor
Accessories (comes with) Carpet spikes
BIC DV84
Sugg. Retail Value $798pr
-Design- Video-shielded, two-
way, dual woofers & radiators
-Frequency Response- 27 Hz-
22kHz
-Sensitivity- 90 dB @ 1 watt,
1 meter
-Recommended Amplifier
Power- 10-250 watts per chan.
-Driver Complement- Two
8" poly woofers, passive
radiators & 3/4" dome tweeter
-Crossover- 3 kHz
-Impedance- 8 Ohms
-Dimensions- 43 1/2" H,
10" W, 11 3/4" D
-Finish- Black laminate
-Limited Warranty- 7 years
Parts & Labor
Even though I own Polk, I'd have to side with the BIC towers in this comparison. You have a larger cabinet, larger drivers, the same spl, a wider frequency response, and a better warranty. Plus, for the money, I don't think you can get a Polk center anywhere near as good as the BIC center unless you went with the $450 CSi5. I have some older BIC bookshelves, and they sound as good today as they did back in '89 when I bought them. They are a very well made speaker - much heavier than my RTi4 Polk bookshelves.