These overperformers work great as surround speakers
Written: Aug 18 '00
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Pros: Excellent value for money. Great sound. Work great as surround speakers.
Cons: I would recommend larger speakers if you are trying to buy main speakers for your system
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| streborn's Full Review: Polk R1 Bookshelf Speaker |
I bought a pair of the R1 speakers to use as surround speakers when I upgraded my stereo to Dolby Digital Surround (see my review on the Onkyo DR-90). I chose the R1s because I already had a pair of Polk S4s as my main speakers and wanted to use speakers by the same manufacturer for my surrounds (I later added a Polk CS245 Center Channel). The speakers were also at a very attractive price in a sale at Circuit City -- $60 for the pair.
As everyone buying speakers should do, I tested the speakers before buying them and also tested them against speakers from other manufacturers in the same price range (as well as a couple of more expensive speakers). I was surprised by the overall sound quality of the speakers, which outperformed similar models from Bose (which I don't rate at all) and JBL. The bass is surprisingly good for a speaker of this size and I found that the Lion King and Inspector Gadget (the DVDs used for the demos at Circuit City and P.C. Richards) sounded great pumped through the R1s. So naturally when the speakers went on sale at Circuit City I had to have them.
Having brought them home and put them into my system, I can honestly say that I do not have any complaints. These speakers work great as surround speakers. I do think that they are not as solid and as powerful, nor as good sounding as my S4s, but they are more than adequate for the job that I bought them for.
The only negatives that I can add are the fact that I would not recommend buying these speakers to use as main speakers if you have some money to spend on speakers. Even someone like me, who is not as much of a bass lover as some people, would find that they would want to upgrade from these speakers eventually. This does not mean that I think these speakers are not an excellent buy. I really believe that these have to be the best pair of speakers you can buy for under $100. But the fact is is that not many people build a good entertainment system around $100 speakers.
The speakers are also not as nicely finished as my S4s. The housing for the speaker is not nearly as attractive or as solid as that on my S4s and the front panels are not detachable.
Even so, I highly recommend these speakers for use in a surround system. The price is unbeatable and you will be getting so much for your buck. The speakers could also make decent main speakers for a small room or for the consumer with a small budget.
Nick
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 60 for the pair
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Epinions.com ID:
streborn
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Member: Nick Roberts
Location: New York, New York
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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