View Full Version : Polk Audio R15 Speaker Good?
tdogroeder
08-30-2005, 05:53 PM
Since I could have side surround and back surround. I have a
Yamaha RX-V757 receiver and was wondering if the R15 was a good choice to put as a back surround speakers?
michael_w
08-30-2005, 05:55 PM
Your best bet would be to go to a dealer and take a listen to them. Also make sure to listen to more expensive models and other brands to get a feel for what you like. Some people here think they are nice bookshelves, while others think they suck. It's all personal opinion.
tdogroeder
08-30-2005, 07:03 PM
Your best bet would be to go to a dealer and take a listen to them. Also make sure to listen to more expensive models and other brands to get a feel for what you like. Some people here think they are nice bookshelves, while others think they suck. It's all personal opinion.
Do you know of any websites that have really good prices for speakers?
Shizelbs
08-30-2005, 07:14 PM
What are your main speakers? My suggestion would be to get surrounds that match your mains. I have the R15s as my surrounds, and they offer a great value for entry level HT.
tdogroeder
08-30-2005, 07:18 PM
What are your main speakers? My suggestion would be to get surrounds that match your mains. I have the R15s as my surrounds, and they offer a great value for entry level HT.
I have very old 3-way pioneer floor speakers with a 12 inch woofer in them, but I am planning on getting the Polk Audio RTi6's and CSi5 for fronts and FXi5's for side surrounds. I have the PSW303 for my sub, but I am going to add the HSU STF-2 sub eventually.
michael_w
08-30-2005, 07:37 PM
keep an eye on Frys Electronics. (http://outpost.com/) Once in a while they throw out some nice deals. It also depends where you live as to which websites you would want to look at.
btw nice choices on the future speakers. Give the rti4's a listen before buying the 6's. Sometimes bigger isn't always better.
Shizelbs
08-30-2005, 07:52 PM
Bah, why mess a good thing up by bringing in a different and inferior speaker into the mix? If you're looking to save money, many here would suggest buying something from the current RTi series used, or a used speaker from the previous RTi series. Sounds like you have a nice set up going on there.
Toxis
08-30-2005, 08:03 PM
rti4
Tdogroeder,
The R15 is a surprisingly good little speaker that punches above its weight. The R series is voiced similar to the RTi series and will be perfectly suitable for rear surrounds in your theater system. This is an option I would not hesitate to take if you did not want to lay down a lot of money for this application. However, if you are willing to spend a few more bucks, purchasing the Rti-4 may prove worthwhile.
For the record, though, a good 5.1 system is still the reference to beat.
Also, that STF-2 is a wonderful, very adept sub for music. While the STF-2 is an all around better sub-woofer than the PSW 303, I have to warn you that its SPL will only be modestly better than the 303. The STF-3 on the other hand, uses a very nice 12'' driver that is just an all out different beast.. she is made to rock.
I am not telling you this to dissuade you from any purchase - just giving you a different perspective to chew on.
audiobliss
08-30-2005, 08:10 PM
just giving you a different perspective to chew on.
You're good at that, too.
tdogroeder
08-30-2005, 09:21 PM
Tdogroeder,
The R15 is a surprisingly good little speaker that punches above its weight. The R series is voiced similar to the RTi series and will be perfectly suitable for rear surrounds in your theater system. This is an option I would not hesitate to take if you did not want to lay down a lot of money for this application. However, if you are willing to spend a few more bucks, purchasing the Rti-4 may prove worthwhile.
For the record, though, a good 5.1 system is still the reference to beat.
Also, that STF-2 is a wonderful, very adept sub for music. While the STF-2 is an all around better sub-woofer than the PSW 303, I have to warn you that its SPL will only be modestly better than the 303. The STF-3 on the other hand, uses a very nice 12'' driver that is just an all out different beast.. she is made to rock.
I am not telling you this to dissuade you from any purchase - just giving you a different perspective to chew on.
Are you saying that I would only get a little more bass from the STF-2 than what I'm getting now in my PSW303, so it wouldnt be worth getting that sub I should get a bigger one.
I do have hard wood floors to consider, I know that really helps make bass
better.
MacLeod
08-30-2005, 10:59 PM
Another vote for the RTi4. Excellent speaker and right now theyre on sale for like $230 which is a great deal for the performance you get.
anonymouse
08-30-2005, 11:15 PM
Tdogroeder,
The R15 is a surprisingly good little speaker that punches above its weight. The R series is voiced similar to the RTi series
Agree with the first statement. The R15 is the only one I like from the R series. It uses a different tweeter from the rest of the R series i.e. R20, 30, 50 etc. I prefer the R15 to any of its bigger brothers.
However I disagree that the R and RTi series are voiced similar. I personally think the difference between these series is night and day. The RTi series is way better than the R series to my ears. Far better resolution, separation and soundstage.
Tdog,
If possible, listen to the stf-2 next to the 303 and decide for yourself. The STF-2 is one mighty fine woof and is a very respectable upgrade to the 303 (and even the 404). It will integrate with almost any speaker you throw at it. For the price, there is little the STF-2 does wrong, the only downside to this particular piece of equipment is that it does not rattle the walls. If you are looking to pump serious volume, I would encourage you to extend the budget a bit and get either the STF-3, or even the cheaper svs pb-10.
Wooden floors are great, and not just for subs!
Anon,
I agree about the performance differences between the R and RTi. However, performance doesn’t necessarily reflect voicing. The R’s, like the RTi’s, emphasize the highs with moderate mid range boosts in the cross-over. The RTi’s essentially do everything the R’s do, only better. Same voicing, better parts / design.
aaharvel
08-31-2005, 11:56 AM
...I disagree that the R and RTi series are voiced similar. I personally think the difference between these series is night and day. The RTi series is way better than the R series to my ears. Far better resolution, separation and soundstage.
so true. a big performance gap between rti4 & monitor30 as well.
kingtut
08-31-2005, 01:48 PM
R15 will be fine for surrounds and movies. I used as as main speakers (front) for my bedroom set, but I returned it because it's too thin sounding for music. RTi in my opinion, is much better speakers.
Schris22
08-31-2005, 01:51 PM
I have the R15's as a computer set up and were rears before my i got some r30's from a friend....these are perfectly fine for movies (surround effects) and think that unless you have/want to spend the money on nicer quality speakers then go for it. I think the Rti's are great speakers for movies, but for around $50 for 2 R15's....I think it's hard to resist...the entire R line is just in general a great value...not the best performance...
Chris
aaharvel
08-31-2005, 02:14 PM
I have the R15's as a computer set up and were rears before my i got some r30's from a friend....these are perfectly fine for movies (surround effects) and think that unless you have/want to spend the money on nicer quality speakers then go for it. I think the Rti's are great speakers for movies, but for around $50 for 2 R15's....I think it's hard to resist...the entire R line is just in general a great value...not the best performance...
Chris
i agree. for $50 a pair that's just a great buy pure and simple.
Also, what kind of tweet does the r15 have? Someone said earlier that it's tweeter is different than the rest of the R line? what's up with that?
Willow
08-31-2005, 02:27 PM
I used R10 for the longest time as my rears. They sound 100% better than JBL I was using. The I swaped the r10 with rti4 and I have to say there is a big difference in sound. This is not to say the R is bad what so ever. They are now used as my mains in the bed 2ch system. If you can get extra cash I say go with the 4. If cash at this point is an issue either run the R and upgrade or just run with no rears
tdogroeder
08-31-2005, 03:02 PM
I have the R15's as a computer set up and were rears before my i got some r30's from a friend....these are perfectly fine for movies (surround effects) and think that unless you have/want to spend the money on nicer quality speakers then go for it. I think the Rti's are great speakers for movies, but for around $50 for 2 R15's....I think it's hard to resist...the entire R line is just in general a great value...not the best performance...
Chris
Where can you get the R15's for $50, please let me know? I have only been able to find them for about $100 for the pair.
Ron Temple
08-31-2005, 03:39 PM
Where can you get the R15's for $50, please let me know? I have only been able to find them for about $100 for the pair.
Frys or Outpost.com on sale about once a month now ( used to be twice). Normal price will show as $129/pr. Sometimes on Outpost they will still show that price but if you go to checkout, it will show $49.98 ea. This is actually a pair. There are 2 to a box.
Good Luck.
jet2001
08-31-2005, 06:14 PM
I use R15's as my surrounds (5.1 setup) and they do their job well. They are good little speakers. I wouldn't use them as fronts, but as surrounds I have been very pleased with them.
And for $50 for the pair...you really can't go wrong. Keep checking Fry's, they go on sale from time to time.
tdogroeder
08-31-2005, 06:16 PM
Frys or Outpost.com on sale about once a month now ( used to be twice). Normal price will show as $129/pr. Sometimes on Outpost they will still show that price but if you go to checkout, it will show $49.98 ea. This is actually a pair. There are 2 to a box.
Good Luck.
I went there as you said and they are $129, I even called them and they said they are $129.
tdogroeder
08-31-2005, 06:19 PM
I use R15's as my surrounds (5.1 setup) and they do their job well. They are good little speakers. I wouldn't use them as fronts, but as surrounds I have been very pleased with them.
And for $50 for the pair...you really can't go wrong. Keep checking Fry's, they go on sale from time to time.
Where did you get yours for $50 a pair?
jet2001
08-31-2005, 06:19 PM
Fry's sale ad comes out every week on friday I believe...keep checking.
I got mine at a Fry's store.
tdogroeder
08-31-2005, 06:20 PM
Fry's sale ad comes out every week on friday I believe...keep checking.
I got mine at a Fry's store.
OK, I will keep checking, thanks. Right now they have R30's for $50.
KrazyMofo24
08-31-2005, 07:39 PM
R15's were $50 two weeks ago, and a couple days last week. The R30's are $40 each at my Fry's. I wish they'd put the RTi or Lsi series on sale.
tdogroeder
08-31-2005, 08:29 PM
R15's were $50 two weeks ago, and a couple days last week. The R30's are $40 each at my Fry's. I wish they'd put the RTi or Lsi series on sale.
What's FRY's wesbsite or is it outpost.com?
michael_w
08-31-2005, 08:38 PM
It's outpost.com
jet2001
09-02-2005, 01:45 PM
They're on sale this week...get to your Fry's if you want them at $50 for the pair.
Shizelbs
09-02-2005, 02:28 PM
I thinking about getting a pair in cherry just to match my mains. Thats a pretty good deal.
WilliamM2
09-02-2005, 02:45 PM
They also go on sale at Circuit City quite often, web order only. I've gotten two pair this summer for $59 w/free shipping.
Using one pair as surrounds, the other pair I bought for a friend's main speaker setup, with a Dayton 10" sub that is on sale for $99. For $160 total, it actually sounds quite good.
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