Polk R30 @ Outpost.com = $39.99 apiece

[ThaPerculator]

Just went home on my lunch break to check them out since they were delivered. So far, I'm not too impressed, but I only had a chance to play with my settings for like 15 minutes, let alone they aren't broken in yet. Build quality seems very nice at this price point. Out of the box, the low mids/lows seem a bit muddy. I set my theater up to run a bunch of cd's on repeat at a semi-decent volume, so hopefully by the time I get out of both work and class they will be a little more broken-in so I can try and tune them to my system.


EDIT: Forgot to mention right now they're hooked up to a Phillips 100w/channel 5.1 home theater thingy. Nothing stupendous, but not a piece of junk. I think my speakers I'm replacing were 6 ohms, so that explains why the r30's are much quieter overall for the time being. I can't wait to spend some time with them later.

 

[QwaarJet]

got mine in today too, cheapest shipping and i got it in 2 days! i'm impressed

as far as the speakers go, i don't have anything to hook them up to quickly, other than my logitech z-5500's, i made them the L and R speakers, and so far don't sound too shabby. everyone says they improve a whole munch after they're broken in, so i'll post an update later. either way, i'm happy

 

[ra990]

Got these in 2 days as well! Broke them in before really giving them a listen. They sound great, way beyond my expectations. Perfect for my living room.

 

[Svnla]

Sale is good until 4/4/06

 

[knightc2]

Wow, this looks like a great deal. Thanks OP. I too am interested in a matching center channel if anyone has any info on that. Also, does that Pioneer receiver have a 5 or 6 channel or all stereo mode for music listening? My onkyo has that and I really like it.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: knightc2
Wow, this looks like a great deal. Thanks OP. I too am interested in a matching center channel if anyone has any info on that. Also, does that Pioneer receiver have a 5 or 6 channel or all stereo mode for music listening? My onkyo has that and I really like it.

If you can fit it, try to get another R30 to use as a Center channel.

 

[knightc2]

I thought about that, but it might look a little funny. Plus it is quite large.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: knightc2
Wow, this looks like a great deal. Thanks OP. I too am interested in a matching center channel if anyone has any info on that. Also, does that Pioneer receiver have a 5 or 6 channel or all stereo mode for music listening? My onkyo has that and I really like it.

If you can fit it, try to get another R30 to use as a Center channel.

I'm using R15 as a center channel. Got a pair of R15 for sale for $39.99. The leftover R15 can be saved as a spare.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: knightc2
Wow, this looks like a great deal. Thanks OP. I too am interested in a matching center channel if anyone has any info on that. Also, does that Pioneer receiver have a 5 or 6 channel or all stereo mode for music listening? My onkyo has that and I really like it.

If you can fit it, try to get another R30 to use as a Center channel.

I'm using R15 as a center channel. Got a pair of R15 for sale for $39.99. The leftover R15 can be saved as a spare.

Yeah, an R15 wouldn't be a bad idea if space is an issue. Its just...usually best to have the exact same speakers across the front. Not required of course...just preferred.

 

[Mac]

I ordered the speakers on Monday and rec'd Thursday. I am pleasantly surprised with the quality. The midrange is a little rough and the bass doesn't reach that low but I have a powered sub so not a problem for my installation. Yes, there are better sounding speakers, but at $111 delivered price for the pair, these are exceptional. Highly recommended.

 

[cordite]

The R30's and even the R50's definitely benefit from having a subwoofer.

 

[imported_Bruin711]

I have never heard of anyone suggest a floorstanding speaker as a center channel. I dont even know where you would put it. As for cheaper center channels than CS1 that may be timbre matched for these, im not sure if its timbre matched but the CS25 goes on sale for $50 at Fry's often.

 

[maximo]

ive seen a few of my friends use the R15s as center channels.

i just got my R30, R15s and Receiver. cant wait to hook them up. Does anyone have recommendations for good speaker wires preferably not the MONSTER brand.

Also.... is the PSW10 Polk Audio sub a good choice for its price or i should go for a dayton 12"?

 

[Mac]

Does anyone have recommendations for good speaker wires preferably not the MONSTER brand.

You just touched on one of my pet peeves.

If you are on a budget, go to Home Depot and purchase 16 gauge stranded wire lamp/zip cord measured to the length you need, strip the ends, insert the bare wire into the speaker connector and screw down the knob. Ensure you are maintaining polarity (one side is either striped or has ribbing molded into the insulation) and you are set.

If you are not on a budget, go to Home Depot and purchase 16 gauge stranded wire lamp/zip cord measured to the length you need, strip the ends, insert the bare wire into the speaker connector and screw down the knob. Ensure you are maintaining polarity (one side is either striped or has ribbing molded into the insulation) and you are set.

The previous paragraph is not a typo. If you want to get fancy, you may want to buy and install banana plugs on the cable ends but that is about it. 16 ga wire should be more than adequate for any speaker run upto about 100 ft. In fact, if the run is short (I think it is around 15-20 feet or so), you could probably take an old 18 guage extension cord, cut off the plugs and use that. Wire is wire.

All the purported advantages of Monster and similar type cables is marketing hype designed to play up to the "golden ears" (you could insert "obsessive/compulsive insecurities") of audiophiles. For typical run lengths, you will not hear any difference between $0.16/ft zip cord and the overpriced speaker cables that an audio salesman will try to talk you into. Neither Monster nor any of the other suppliers of over-priced speaker cables submit their products to blind tests for good reason. The myth would be unmasked.

 

[maximo]

OMFG!

Mac you rule. thanks man. I am on a budget since i just got my condo. Im going to home depot today.

When you meant...
"Ensure you are maintaining polarity (one side is either striped or has ribbing molded into the insulation) and you are set."

You just want to make sure that the left speaker wire is going to the left speaker receiver input channel right?

you can tell im a audio expert... *sarcasm*

 

[gregtor]

Originally posted by: maximo
OMFG!

Mac you rule. thanks man. I am on a budget since i just got my condo. Im going to home depot today.

When you meant...
"Ensure you are maintaining polarity (one side is either striped or has ribbing molded into the insulation) and you are set."

You just want to make sure that the left speaker wire is going to the left speaker receiver input channel right?

you can tell im a audio expert... *sarcasm*

yes just make sure that red goes to red and black to black.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: maximo
OMFG!

Mac you rule. thanks man. I am on a budget since i just got my condo. Im going to home depot today.

When you meant...
"Ensure you are maintaining polarity (one side is either striped or has ribbing molded into the insulation) and you are set."

You just want to make sure that the left speaker wire is going to the left speaker receiver input channel right?

you can tell im a audio expert... *sarcasm*

Each speaker has two wires running to them (speaker wire is made so that both wires are connected and looks like a single wire, although each one is in its own plastic sleeve). On your reciever and speaker, each one has +/-, and so each wire goes to one and then to other to the other one. You just want to make sure that the on you have in the + running to the + on the speaker, and the same for the - one. It sounds more confusing than it is, and most audio equipment comes pretty well color coded (so you'd want to run red to the red, and black to black for instance). On the speaker wire itself one wire will just have a clear plastic sleeve and the other will have a white stripe on it to help you determine which side is which.

I agree with Mac on the wire. No need for the fancy wires, as nice 16 gauge will suit you very well. Works great with these speakers (I have R50s for the front and R15s for the rears, and a CS1 Center).

I would recommend picking up the Datyon 12" sub. I have the 10" and I'm very happy with it. The 12" would be fantastic and would probably beat that Polk sub, at a lower price. Watch the DTS track for War of the Worlds and you'll be won over instantly by the Dayton sub.

 

[blckgrffn]

DTS Kill Bill Vol. 1 on my dayton 12" - awesome. Simply awesome

You could try walmart and get a role of their car audio cable 16 gauge 50 ft for like $6 if are on a budget as well. Maybe not so cheap as the Home Depot solution, but still very cheap

Nat

 

[brucekatz]

Overall, R30 is very decent (very very decent at this price). If you like bass, R15 + a Sub should be better. Get them and get rid of your little computer speakers.

 

[BigJ]

Would I be better off just sticking to my Logitech Z-560s or should I get a pair of these?

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: BigJ
Would I be better off just sticking to my Logitech Z-560s or should I get a pair of these?

If you have a receiver to drive them HELL YES these are better.

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: BigJ
Would I be better off just sticking to my Logitech Z-560s or should I get a pair of these?

If you have a receiver to drive them HELL YES these are better.

Amen. Pick up the Jensen center and little surrounds for $50 shipped at amazon, and if you have a decent receiver the sound will be 10x better

Nat

 

[themusgrat]

Exactly. I'm in for 2. Thanks OP.

BTW, when I was about to submit the order, it changed shipping to 2nd day- I almost didn't catch it. It would have been 170 instead of 105. So watch out.

EDIT: When the Polk center that you guys are talking about goes on sale next, please put a thread here to let us know, or bump this one, or something.

 

[mdcrab]

I am surprised this deal is still a live. Great deal, received mine over a week ago.
You can't beat it for the price.

mdcrab

 

[dragger]

Originally posted by: mdcrab
I am surprised this deal is still a live. Great deal, received mine over a week ago.
You can't beat it for the price.

mdcrab

I ordered yesterday afternoon but never got the email confirmation. When I check the order number on their site, my order is showing back order status.

Guess deal is dead, wonder if they will come through.