Polk vs. Axiom

[freeride]

I'm interested in a new 5.1 HT speakers. I currently listen 50/50 music and movies. My current system is all Polks:

Polk R50 fronts, CS245 center, R15 rear, BIC Venturi sub and driven by a HK AVR330.

This may be a stupid question, and one you've read a million times, but before I drop $3k, I was hoping to get a few audiophile opinions.

Should I dump my current Polk setup on Craigslist and buy an Axiom Epic 60 - 500 (or Epic Grandmaster 500) for $3k, $2.5k respectively?

Does anyone have experience with moving from a decent entry level system like my Polks to a higher quality system, where you could hear a $3k difference? I don't want to buy new speakers, and subconsciousely think they sound better just because I spent 3 grand.

Thanks for your inputs.

Jason

 

[j_garcia]

The Epic 60 will crush the Polks in every way you can think of, IMHO.

 

[freeride]

The Epic 60 will crush the Polks in every way you can think of, IMHO.

LOL! No, seriously, tell me how you really feel.

That's the kind of honesty I was hoping for, thanks. I should add the caveat that I am also interested in what the difference would be at lower to average listening levels, rather than loud. My Polks don't sound too bad loud (not real loud, but average movie theater level loud), but they seem pretty boring otherwise.

 

[jcPanny]

Axiom demo

freeride,
Axiom and other ID companies have a generous trial/return policy. You might consider ordering a pair of the Axiom bookshelf speakers or floorstanders for a demo vs. your current system. A 5.1 SVS or AV123 X-ls system for about $1k should also be a big upgrade from your Polks, it just depends on your budget.

 

[cfrizz]

Hi Freeride. Another alternative.

You have Polks that are on the lower end of their affordable spectrum. You might try going into a Tweeter or whatever other store sells Polks in your area and demo the RTI & LSI series speakers.

Lots of Polk owners start out with the R series & pretty soon step up to the RTI or LSI series with happy results.

 

[j_garcia]

LOL, the LSis are quite a big step up from the Rs. The RTi line is pretty good, and then there is the Monitor line in between. I've heard the Rs and they are good entry level speakers. That Axiom package is far from entry level, but even a lesser package with speakers similar in configuration to the Rs will be an upgrade.

 

[mike c]

skip the R's and Monitor Polks ... start with the Rti line ... it's kinda the bang of the buck line. (the Lsi's are a bit expensive)

edit: I believe there's a new Rti line coming out. (or already out)

 

[ChrisJam]

Does anyone have experience with moving from a decent entry level system like my Polks to a higher quality system, where you could hear a $3k difference? I don't want to buy new speakers, and subconsciousely think they sound better just because I spent 3 grand.

If I were in your shoes, I'd look at this system from Phase Technology: (http://www.phasetech.com)

PC-3.1 II (not the plain 3.1 speakers!) @ $600 each, MSRP. Get three, one for left, right, and center. You can expect a discount from dealers.

PC-1.1 II. Get a pair for $800 MSRP. Again, you'll get a discount. These'll be your surrounds. (Phase Tech makes a speaker in this series for a surround. It's model PC-6.1. But the little 1.1 IIs blew me away when I heard them, and that's what I'd go with.)

Subwoofer? I'd recommend the AV123 MFW-15 for $600. It's brand new, and about to hit the market (http://av123.com). Hsu and SVS also make fine subs that'd serve you well. But we can point you toward subs better if we know your room's layout--its size in cubic feet, whether it opens to other rooms, etc.

I'm considering this set-up for myself, when it comes time to move.

Then again, I might keep my present bookshelf mains for surrounds. My mains are pretty good, and would make fine surrounds, saving me $700-750. Oh, and I have a pair of Polk R15s. They're OK for what they are--small, cheap, acceptable speakers if not used as mains--but if you can replace them, you should.

So you have 3 x $600 = $1800
2 @ $800 = $800
Sub at about $600 (AV123 and HSU and SVS all have subs that cost about this) = $600 (Shipping for the sub would be extra.)

MSRP total without sub shipping = $3200. If you get any discount from the Phase Tech dealer, you'll be under $3000 and have a wonderful system!

G'luck,
Chris

 

[freeride]

Thanks for the advice. I wanted to comment on the Polk suggestions. I struggle with supporting Polk, due to the large varience between their MSRP, and actual price in the stores. For instance, the website
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/r50/
says the R50's msrp is $640 per pair. I picked up mine at Fry's for $180 per pair. If I were to believe Polk's website, their pricing almost makes them comparable to Axiom M50's, and more expensive than Axiom's M22 v2.

I doubt anyone here would say the R50's are comparable to anything Axiom makes, so how could I justify buying a higher end Polk, when I know they're jacking up the price on their speakers by 300% or more. For me to consider the Polks, I'd have to find an LSi25 pair for under $1k, otherwise I know I'm getting taken advantage of.

 

[MDS]

I don't quite agree with the logic. MSRP is just that - suggested retail price. Retail stores don't have to sell for MSRP and you can bet that the store didn't pay much at all for the speakers if they are selling $640 MSRP speakers for $180.

If the Polk site does sell the speakers for their MSRP when they are available at retail for far less then that is kind of shady but anyone that doesn't buy on the spur of the moment could find out that they are available elsewhere for less so as usual 'buyer beware' and do at least a minimum of research on what they are selling for elsewhere before you buy.

 

[pearsall001]

I'm interested in a new 5.1 HT speakers. I currently listen 50/50 music and movies. My current system is all Polks:

Polk R50 fronts, CS245 center, R15 rear, BIC Venturi sub and driven by a HK AVR330.

This may be a stupid question, and one you've read a million times, but before I drop $3k, I was hoping to get a few audiophile opinions.

Should I dump my current Polk setup on Craigslist and buy an Axiom Epic 60 - 500 (or Epic Grandmaster 500) for $3k, $2.5k respectively?

Does anyone have experience with moving from a decent entry level system like my Polks to a higher quality system, where you could hear a $3k difference? I don't want to buy new speakers, and subconsciousely think they sound better just because I spent 3 grand.

Thanks for your inputs.

Jason

Comparing one companies entry level system to another companies rather top of the line system is being pretty ridiculous. Now if you compared Polks Rti & LSi line to the Axioms you're leveling the playing field. Polks site listing MSRP is pretty much standard policy. You know they can had for mush less. (Did you ever shop for a car?) Go & listen to the Polks & order a pair of the Axioms (excellent return policy) & let your ears decide. If you're willing to take the time to do this then you will be rewarded in the end. Otherwise just stick with what you have. You already said you're happy with your set-up.

 

[Nick250]

Thanks for the advice. I wanted to comment on the Polk suggestions. I struggle with supporting Polk, due to the large varience between their MSRP, and actual price in the stores. For instance, the website
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/r50/
says the R50's msrp is $640 per pair. I picked up mine at Fry's for $180 per pair. If I were to believe Polk's website, their pricing almost makes them comparable to Axiom M50's, and more expensive than Axiom's M22 v2.

I doubt anyone here would say the R50's are comparable to anything Axiom makes, so how could I justify buying a higher end Polk, when I know they're jacking up the price on their speakers by 300% or more. For me to consider the Polks, I'd have to find an LSi25 pair for under $1k, otherwise I know I'm getting taken advantage of.

You can argue the nomenclature, but you are buying the Axioms at list price. Axiom sometimes has speakers on sale. Otherwise your are buying them at list price.

About a year ago I bought Rocket UFW-10 for $399. AV123 had it on sale from the regular or "list" price of $599. My suggestion is don't get too hung up on the wording of the prices.

Nick

 

[mouettus]

Forget the prices. Go for the speakers you like the most. The Rti line is very comparative to the axioms in both sound and price. My advice is buy both... and return the one you dislike.

I personnaly went with the Rti because of their availability with service (no shipping thing). If I don't like them or I have a problem, I simply go to my dealer. ... and I like the looks of em! (and the sound of course)

 

[Ron Temple]

The Polk Rs are given away at Frys/Outpost...due to the volume Polk doesn't police them. However, they do limit the discount ability on all their other lines to authorized sales prices at specific times of the year. There's also an abundance of grey market stock that is deeply discounted, but not warrantied.

Formerly even Frys rarely gave discounts of more than 10% on the Rti line, but recently they've been having "specials" on the 8s and 12s probably to make room for the new RTiA line coming this fall.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

If I could have done it all over again, I would have opted for 5 RTi4's instead of RTi10 towers, CSi5 front, FXi3 sides, and RTi4 surrounds. The RTi4's and FXi3's sound amazing, and don't take a huge power amp to power like the towers and center.

 

[Starmax]

I am quite happy with my pair of lsi15s (as well as the rti 8s, 10s & 12s). IMO, don't bother with the lsi 25s, the 15s are better and less expensive.