Yamaha RX-V1800 and Polk

[MumbaiKababu]

I just bought Yamaha RXV-1800 receiver. I want so setup a 5.1 channel in my family room.
I got mix information about the Polk speakers with Yamaha. Some user liked it some not.
I am thinking about POLK tsi300 or POLK RTI8 for front speakers and csi3 or csi5 for center channel.
I have not thought about the Sub and surround speakers yet.
What do you think about this setup? And which sub I should buy with these speakers?

 

[mazersteven]

The Yamaha RXV-1800 will work fine with the RTi8's.

For subwoofers

www.svsound.com
www.hsuresearch.com
www.av123.com
www.edesignaudio.com
www.epiksubwoofers.com

 

[3db]

I just bought Yamaha RXV-1800 receiver. I want so setup a 5.1 channel in my family room.
I got mix information about the Polk speakers with Yamaha. Some user liked it some not.
I am thinking about POLK tsi300 or POLK RTI8 for front speakers and csi3 or csi5 for center channel.
I have not thought about the Sub and surround speakers yet.
What do you think about this setup? And which sub I should buy with these speakers?

Audition them and other speakers priced similar to the polks you like and decide for yourself. If you like them, who cares what anyone else thinks?

 

[dorokusai]

I just bought Yamaha RXV-1800 receiver. I want so setup a 5.1 channel in my family room.
I got mix information about the Polk speakers with Yamaha. Some user liked it some not.
I am thinking about POLK tsi300 or POLK RTI8 for front speakers and csi3 or csi5 for center channel.
I have not thought about the Sub and surround speakers yet.
What do you think about this setup? And which sub I should buy with these speakers?

The Yamaha is fine for either series but I actually prefer the sound of the older RTi8, CSi3/5, etc. The styling on the TSi is real nice but its not all about aesthetics. Get the CSi5, not the CSi3. It's just a better center chanel in my experience.

Mazer pointed to some noteworthy subwoofers and the Polk subs I would recommend are in the DSW series, not the PSW series.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[MumbaiKababu]

ebay

Thanks for the response.
Is it safe to buy on ebay form one of the power users? If I buy new speakers from ebay, will POLK honor the warranty?

 

[Adam]

If I buy new speakers from ebay, will POLK honor the warranty?

Only if you buy from their eBay outlet. Check out Polk's warranty page at this link here. An excerpt, which is the only text in bold in their warranty statement is:

eBay (except for the Polk Direct Store) is not an authorized dealer!​

 

[WmAx]

The Yamaha is both a fine fine quality pre-amp, and a decent amplifier. Polk, however, is not a good company for value. They consistently produce speakers that perform substantially lower for the dollar as compared to many alternatives. If you want a value priced speaker with far better performance:dollar ratio from a major manufacturer, refer to the Infinity Primus line of speakers. They are inexpensive, but have measurable/verifiable performance(measured performance that directly related to audible quality) that defies their price points.

-Chris

 

[dorokusai]

Only if you buy from their eBay outlet. Check out Polk's warranty page at this link here. An excerpt, which is the only text in bold in their warranty statement is:

eBay (except for the Polk Direct Store) is not an authorized dealer!​

Polk Direct Store IS Polk Audio. Russell runs that show and I'll have to let him know about that, thanks Adam. It should be in the list but are 100% authorized to sell Polk Audio on eBay.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[Adam]

Polk Direct Store IS Polk Audio. Russell runs that show and I'll have to let him know about that, thanks Adam. It should be in the list but are 100% authorized to sell Polk Audio on eBay.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

Hey, Mark. I might be misreading your post, so I apologize if the following sounds out of place. The wording in the Polk warranty statement that I quoted states that eBay isn't authorized except for the Polk Direct Store (which is authorized).

 

[dorokusai]

The Yamaha is both a fine fine quality pre-amp, and a decent amplifier. Polk, however, is not a good company for value. They consistently produce speakers that perform substantially lower for the dollar as compared to many alternatives. If you want a value priced speaker with far better performance:dollar ratio from a major manufacturer, refer to the Infinity Primus line of speakers. They are inexpensive, but have measurable/verifiable performance(measured performance that directly related to audible quality) that defies their price points.

-Chris

How are we not a good company in regards to value exactly? What are you rating the Primus series against our product, dollar for dollar, just out of curiosity.

What sounds better doesn't have anything to do with me, buy what sounds best to you.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[dorokusai]

Hey, Mark. I might be misreading your post, so I apologize if the following sounds out of place. The wording in the Polk warranty statement that I quoted states that eBay isn't authorized except for the Polk Direct Store (which is authorized).

No, not out of place at all....I may have interpreted it wrong as well. Correct, they are the only eBay authorized retailer/etailer. I've never been one to pass up a good deal so you'll have to go with gut on that I guess. Good luck and let us know what model you pick up....who cares from where

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[WmAx]

How are we not a good company in regards to value exactly? What are you rating the Primus series against our product, dollar for dollar, just out of curiosity.

In the way that, the Infinity Primus line as an example, is designed to have response characteristics that are almost always preferred by human subjects for serious listening purposes(as opposed to back ground music, or first impression store demos by un-informed/non-experienced customers). The Primus speakers also use much better drivers than the similar price Polks unless Polk has recently changed their drivers. In fact, Primus speakers use drivers which measured qualities that are extraordinary for the price range speakers they are used within.

What sounds better doesn't have anything to do with me, buy what sounds best to you.

What sounds better has everything to do with designing a speaker to have response characteristics that meet the preferences of human subjects. Upon my review of many credible measurements of Polk speakers, they simply do not meet this criteria with the same rate as say, Infinity's Primus line(their most popular, varied line).

-Chris

 

[dorokusai]

In the way that, the Infinity Primus line as an example, is designed to have response characteristics that are almost always preferred by human subjects for serious listening purposes(as opposed to back ground music, or first impression store demos by un-informed/non-experienced customers). The Primus speakers also use much better drivers than the similar price Polks unless Polk has recently changed their drivers. In fact, Primus speakers use drivers which measured qualities that are extraordinary for the price range speakers they are used within.



What sounds better has everything to do with designing a speaker to have response characteristics that meet the preferences of human subjects. Upon my review of many credible measurements of Polk speakers, they simply do not meet this criteria with the same rate as say, Infinity's Primus line(their most popular, varied line).

-Chris

Thanks for your response and opinion.

Mark

 

[speakerman39]

The Yamaha is both a fine fine quality pre-amp, and a decent amplifier. Polk, however, is not a good company for value. They consistently produce speakers that perform substantially lower for the dollar as compared to many alternatives. If you want a value priced speaker with far better performance:dollar ratio from a major manufacturer, refer to the Infinity Primus line of speakers. They are inexpensive, but have measurable/verifiable performance(measured performance that directly related to audible quality) that defies their price points.

-Chris

Hi Chris-I find this post very interesting. I went from a full Infinity Primus package to a full Polk package. I agree that the Primus speakers offer a huge bang for your buck. But, personally I prefer the Polk sound. One reason is that the Primus speakers can really get grainy sounding when pushed. The top end also sounds a bit rolled off to me as well. I have not found that to be the case with my Polks. However, my Polks are a bit forward sounding, but they are also very crisp and detailed. Personally, I really like that in a speaker.

I have mentioned it before, that some people here like the Polk sound and others do not. To each his own I always say. I, on the other hand, really like the Polk sound. I am in no way trying to be disrespectful in any way whatsoever. But rather, attempt to show you that some people do like the Polk sound. After all, somebody thought a lot of Polk by giving almost $139-million dollars for the company. That somebody is of course Directed Electronics.

In closing, I find that what I gave for my Polks to be of a very good value. Sure, there are others out there that offer good bang for the buck. As you mentioned, Infinity is one of them. But, so are the likes of Ascend Acoustics, Paradigm, and etc. for that matter. Take it from me, a very happy Polk customer that they offer excellent speakers at their given price points. Some buy it and some don't. As for me, I am getting ready to add some towers very soon. Of course, they will be Polks.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[dorokusai]

Great post Phil

Hey, we like what we like and its isn't always the same thing. There's SO much good stuff out there to get involved with and when you find what works for you....the real madness begins.

Mark

 

[speakerman39]

Great post Phil

Hey, we like what we like and its isn't always the same thing. There's SO much good stuff out there to get involved with and when you find what works for you....the real madness begins.

Mark

Thanks Mark for the kind words. I agree with you in that what works for you may not for another. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that as we all are different. More specifically, we have different experiences and ideas which all contribute to our expectations of what a speaker is supposed to sound like. Finding the right sound that is also affordable leads to nothing but great rewards. The fun is further enhanced when we learn how to get every ounce of performance so to speak out of our gear. That journey alone, is what makes the hobby worthwhile imho.

Cheers,

Phil