Polk Monitor 30 vs R50

[AlphaWolf]

Right now I am auditioning a set of four Polk Audio Monitor 30's, a Polk CS1, and a Polk PSW111 sub (which is weak as hell and I am going to return around next weekend or so.)

So far I really like the sound of the Monitor 30's. However, I noticed that Fry's electronics has the Polk R50 floor standing speakers on sale for $69 each. Would it be enough of a gain in sound quality for the effort of going up there and exchanging a pair of the Monitor 30's for two R50's? And would they be timber matched with the rest of my setup?

Thanks.

 

[leo1058]

The monitors 30's and the R50 have a different tweeter so your your front sound stage will be off a little. Try to keep the monitors with the CS1. The extra woofer in the R50 does not due much overall. Save your money and get R30's for the rears with the extra cash put it to a good sub. SVS or HSU you cant lose.When you hear and feel the bombs and explosions it will be all worth it

 

[AlphaWolf]

The monitors 30's and the R50 have a different tweeter so your your front sound stage will be off a little. Try to keep the monitors with the CS1. The extra woofer in the R50 does not due much overall. Save your money and get R30's for the rears with the extra cash put it to a good sub. SVS or HSU you cant lose.When you hear and feel the bombs and explosions it will be all worth it

Actually a pair of R50's will be about $30 cheaper than a pair of monitor 30's. As for the sub, I previously tried a boston acoustics XB4 that I am thinking of going back to. I watched V for Vendetta with it, and that sub did amazing work in terms of both feel and sound.

 

[Adam]

Sounds like keeping what you have is the way to go, based on matching them to the center speaker. $30 isn't much when you consider the effort and time involved in swapping them for the R50s.

FYI, Fry's had those R50s for $49 (I'm pretty sure) about a month ago. They might go back on sale for that price later on.

 

[AlphaWolf]

Sounds like keeping what you have is the way to go, based on matching them to the center speaker. $30 isn't much when you consider the effort and time involved in swapping them for the R50s.

FYI, Fry's had those R50s for $49 (I'm pretty sure) about a month ago. They might go back on sale for that price later on.

If that is the case, then they would be about $80 cheaper. The polks cost $180 a pair. If I replaced all four then I would save $160 at that price. They may even be that price B&M still, and if not they probably will be again as the holiday season is coming up. Right now they are $69 each at frysoutpost.com, and fry's electronics just recently started matching their own website finally.

Are the R50's in any way "better" in terms of raw sound quality? (At least, in the terms described in my signature, with emphasis on the highs which the monitor 30's seem to do well.) If so I'll just get them instead as I think I may want floor standing speakers anyways. I'll just have to find a different center speaker for them. And I'll use the $60 I save towards getting a better sub.

BTW, assuming this would be the way to go, which center would probably go best with the R50's? Preferably one that can be found at fry's electronics since I am going there. If not fry's then circuit city as they are on the way. Choices are mainly CSR, CSM, CSi3, CS1, and CS2.

The CSi3 in particular sounds like it might do better highs than the CS1, and it is the same price. If it would match the R50's, and so long as they won't in any way sound "worse" than the monitor 30's, then it would be worth swapping this setup for that one if I could save $60, and use that $60 for a sub that I already know to be better than the one I have.

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

The difference between the Monitor series and the R series was HUGE to me when I did a side by side comparison. The tweeters in the Monitors made the difference, and to me it would be worth the extra scratch to get them.

Also, the CSi3 is a good center, I haven't had any complaints about mine. But if you get the R50s with this center, you'll notice the difference in the sound stage, and that would bug me.

 

[AlphaWolf]

The difference between the Monitor series and the R series was HUGE to me when I did a side by side comparison. The tweeters in the Monitors made the difference, and to me it would be worth the extra scratch to get them.

You are saying the monitors are better then?

Also, the CSi3 is a good center, I haven't had any complaints about mine.

Would it be superior to the CS1? And would it match the monitor 30's?

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

You are saying the monitors are better then?

Yes. The Monitors sound clearer to me. In a side by side comparison, it was almost like listening to speakers with a pillow over them when listening to the R series after hearing the Monitors.

Would it be superior to the CS1? And would it match the monitor 30's?

Well, the CSi3 is geared for the RTi series speaker, which is what I run, whereas the CS1 is made for the Monitors. However, the fact that they are the same price would entice me to buy the better speaker, and I personally think the difference between the Monitor and RTi series is negligible. I have RTi speakers and 1 Monitor series speaker as my rear center, and I can't tell a difference when something pans across them.

 

[AlphaWolf]

Thanks for the info. I guess the majority consensus is that I should stick with what I have then.

And come to think of it, the CSi3 will cost me $20 extra since I got the CS1 on sale, although right now they are the same price.

BTW, how is that sub of yours? And what kind of room you running it in? I haven't been impressed with the two polk subs I have tried so far, but then I've only tried lower end polk stuff. The bass is the only thing I am disappointed with right now in my setup.

EDIT: Then again, that sub is a bit beyond my price range.

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

I was stupid and bought it to match my set up. There are better subs out there for the same price, but this one does well nonetheless. It puts out more than enough bass for the room I have, which is relatively small (about 10x12), and has never not been able to handle what I've thrown at it.

Incidentally, it is the only Polk sub that I've ever heard that sounded good to me. The other ones were pretty much crap.

Velodyne makes a decent budget sub, but I haven't looked at subs since I bought mine, so there are probably plenty of other options out there.

 

[dorokusai]

The new Polk DSW series of subwoofers are much better than our historical venture into the subwoofer category. I was never a Polk subwoofer fan but I feel much better about the new lineup. The only vintage standouts for me were the PSW505 and the even older, PSW1200 coffee table.

The PSW111 is a great little subwoofer but it's just that, a little subwoofer. If you want deep bass, you'll have to choose something else. Check out the website for some information.

I would suggest getting the RTi series as they should be priced nicely due to the model change coming up. The Monitor series is entry level and never excited me personally. The R series is warmer and if I had a choice, I'd go R series.

Mark
Polk Audio CS