Polk R30's, bass performance [Archive]

AzN_plyR

01-22-2006, 07:15 PM

Hey guys! I am new here..and I am just starting my budget HT system.... the Polk R30 seems to go for fairly cheap... 70 a pop... but I am wondering how thier performance is in bass without a subwoofer? is it decent? I would LOVE some floorstanding speakers... BUT I am thinking the BIC DV-62SI would be better subwooferless but they are bookshelfs...

Also... I can get a pair of JBL E60 for about 160ish.. HELP!

baboon

01-22-2006, 09:05 PM

stay away from bic. best way is to go to the store and test them yourself.

heiney9

01-22-2006, 10:23 PM

The R-30's are so much better than any other entry level speaker. Buy the R-30's with confidence. Don't even consider the BIC. The Polk's will sound better even to a deaf person.

I had a friend who knew nothing about audio/HT. He was using one of those HTiB systems and recently upgraded to an HT rec and Polks R-30's, R-15's and a smaller Polk sub and he is astounded by how much better it sounds. This is Polk entry level gear, and he's more than happy with the results.

To answer your question you may need a sub, get the R-30's listen for awhile and then decide. Outpost has some good deals right now!

B.I.C = J.U.N.K JBL are overated and overpriced. Go with the Polks you won't be disaapointed with the performance.

H9

halo

01-22-2006, 10:24 PM

If you've never had Polk's before the R30's are going to change the way you listen to music. Better than the JBL's IMHO. You may be able to purchase them for less ($39.99 each) if you wait for Fry's Electronics (http://www.outpost.com/) to run a sale (which they do pretty often). Best of luck with your search :) Oh, and welcome to the club!

Schris22

01-22-2006, 11:07 PM

yeah wait for fry's to put them on sale.

They also put the r50's on sale for a little more. The r50's would give you a little more in the region that you want but still would not takea place of a sub. There are plenty of subs in the 125-150 range if you watch a lot of movies.

Chris

BjornB17

01-23-2006, 12:03 AM

If you've never had Polk's before the R30's are going to change the way you listen to music.

I can say the same when i upgraded to the system in my signature. Everything is just so open and clear now, much like opening my ears for the first time! I'm glad i ended up with Polk, and I may stick with Polk for a long time! Polk speakers look and sound fantastic.

adam2434

01-23-2006, 09:04 AM

For HT, you will probably want a sub no matter what speakers you buy. The Dayton subs from partsexpress.com are a popular reco for entry-level subs:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-633

The R30s without a sub will not be able to give you deep, powerful bass effects for movies.

I agree with the others, that the R30s are a good entry-level choice. Combine them with a CSi25 or CSM center speaker, R15s for surrounds, and a sub like the Dayton, and you've got a solid entry-level HT.

At Fry's outpost.com, we've recently seen R30s on sale for $40 each and R15s for $40/pair. Also, I've seen the CSM center for $80 after rebate at circuitcity.com.

Good luck,

Adam

AzN_plyR

01-23-2006, 07:41 PM

O ok Thanks you guys, I just bookmarked Outpost :) Time to run to circuitcity/bestbuy and do some testing .. again... I heard the JBL's E80's.. out of my pricerange for a pair.. but I liked them.. didnt get to hear the Polks yets...

O and I am seriously looking into the Fluance systems too.... 250shipped for a complete 5.0 system... and they get great reviews... and this one guy had this set + a dayton sub and the sub didn't make a Huge differences

heiney9

01-23-2006, 07:46 PM

O and I am seriously looking into the Fluance systems too.... 250shipped for a complete 5.0 system... and they get great reviews... and this one guy had this set + a dayton sub and the sub didn't make a Huge differences

No No No No Nooooooo! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Fluance are those really crappy white van speakers. Stay as far away from those as possible. Absoulte $h*t. All the on-line reviews are bogus. I've heard cheap boom-box's that sound better.

You've been warned!

H9

Is this what you are talking about?

http://cgi.ebay.com/FLUANCE-Surround-Sound-Home-Theater-Speakers_W0QQitemZ5858302510QQcategoryZ14993QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

halo

01-23-2006, 07:47 PM

Don't forget that you only get a limited idea of what the speakers will sound like in the store. When they are in your home on your system they'll sound different. Good luck! ;) :)

adam2434

01-23-2006, 08:30 PM

O and I am seriously looking into the Fluance systems too.... 250shipped for a complete 5.0 system... and they get great reviews... and this one guy had this set + a dayton sub and the sub didn't make a Huge differences

IMO, find some good deals on the Polk R series and don't look back. Athena makes decent inexpensive stuff too. Fluance - sounds too cheap to be true.

Also, the guy that had the Dayton sub that "didn't make a huge difference" must have the sub connected or calibrated wrong. Sure, the Dayton is an entry-level sub, but its bass would still trounce the bass from that Fluance set. Unless you have serious/large (and not cheap) front speakers, you will need a sub to get any real bass impact for HT.

halo

01-23-2006, 08:46 PM

The R series really is a no-brainer at Fry's sale prices. At that price point I don't think anything new could touch them. If you want to go used, that's a different story

AzN_plyR

01-23-2006, 10:05 PM

No No No No Nooooooo! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Fluance are those really crappy white van speakers. Stay as far away from those as possible. Absoulte $h*t. All the on-line reviews are bogus. I've heard cheap boom-box's that sound better.

You've been warned!

H9

Is this what you are talking about?

http://cgi.ebay.com/FLUANCE-Surround-Sound-Home-Theater-Speakers_W0QQitemZ5858302510QQcategoryZ14993QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

really? Have you actually heard them, in a decent auditioning area.... or are you just making assumptions! I mean there are like 10:1 ratio of people saying these Fluances are good:bad... Man, I should've took the time the other day to carefully listen to the PolkR30's..

heiney9

01-23-2006, 10:28 PM

really? Have you actually heard them, in a decent auditioning area.... or are you just making assumptions! I mean there are like 10:1 ratio of people saying these Fluances are good:bad... Man, I should've took the time the other day to carefully listen to the PolkR30's..

No need to listen....they are white van speaks. But, hey if you want to waste your money be my guest.

FYI, I can set up a web site and put all kinds of testimonials on it as well and still sell junk. You need to have a certain amount of common sense in this hobby if you don't have the experience.

If you buy them I'll be waiting to hear what you think compared to a REAL speaker system.

Seriously I'm not trying to be a smartass...these and their brethern like, Theater Research, Cadence, Davinci, PCS, Digital Research, JA Audio, and others are pure crap. But hey knock yourself out what do we know :rolleyes:

H9

There's entry level like the Polk R series or the JBL's you mentioned and then there's crap like the above brands I mentioned.

AzN_plyR

01-23-2006, 10:43 PM

BjornB17

01-23-2006, 10:47 PM

anyways Ill be off to audtion some polks tomorrow and if all is well Ill wait for them to go on sale.. if it takes too long Ill grab some Fluance White Speakers.... lol

Awesome. Fluance are awesome $10,000 speakers, but you're getting quite the bargain at $200 :)

heiney9

01-23-2006, 10:53 PM

So you have never listened to them, AND you're making false accusations... hmmmm even though I am a big noob... good bye and have a nice day :eek: :rolleyes:

anyways Ill be off to audtion some polks tomorrow and if all is well Ill wait for them to go on sale.. if it takes too long Ill grab some Fluance White Speakers.... lol

I've never ridden in or driven a YUGO and I'm pretty sure I can say it's apiece of crap. You came here looking for advice and now you're not happy with the advice. Good luck to you, apparently you want to learn the hard way.

Good day , Sir....I said Good Day (In my best Fez voice from That 70's show) :D

H9

nadams

01-23-2006, 10:57 PM

Hmm... I like this line from their website-
Magnets: powerfully dimensioned high-performance.

I swear they just picked a few words and randomly stuck them there...

Registration information for the Fluance website-

Tronics
Deepak, Jain
4080 Montrose Road
Niagara Falls, ON L2H1J9
CA
Phone: 1.905.353.1366
Fax..: 1.905.356.8199
Email: jain@on.aibn.com

Couldn't find their address anywhere on their site, so I figured I'd do it that way.... that's not a tried and true method though, someone other than the owner could've registered the domain for them, such as a webmaster.

stonepimp

01-24-2006, 12:01 PM

well if its not too late and it sounds like it might be ... i have a polk r30 set up and i couldn't be happier .. my brother has a jbl northridge series ht he likes it but he paid alot more money .. after listening to his yesterday i can honestly say that mine sounds better .. fluance ?? wtf .LOL .. buy the polks you won't be sorry

karpiel666

01-24-2006, 01:27 PM

That was entertaining, anyone that rude deserves to listen to theater research.

adam2434

01-24-2006, 02:41 PM

Oh well, we tried.

Let him by the Fl(at)uance speakers.

AzN_plyR

01-24-2006, 07:52 PM

heiney9

01-24-2006, 08:13 PM

well, I said i was gonna wait.. until the polks goes on sale... and I read some more non-computer websites reviews on the Fluance from members at AVS... and I guess there's some that says they sound like 50 bucks speakers... and the COST to make and stuff and profit thigns or w/e... I guess Ill skip Fluance then...

Anyways... tempted to pick up a pair of Polk's R30's for under 180 shipped... BUT I think I am gonna regret it big time when Outpost has them on sale for 40 bucks a pop...... or the R50 for 160 a pair....

Also tempted to grab some Athena's factory refreshed B2.2's for 150 bucks a pair also... but they are bookshelves... which I LOVE the looks and probably better peroformance of floorstanders! SIGH... so much to decide on.

Well after the last time I was going to leave you on your own, but I'm feeling generous. Athena would be a very good choice. I guess it's up to you if you want floor standers or book-shelf. The AS-B2.2 are a rather large book-shelf and to set them up properly you need to purchase stands (a min. of $50). I think the R series from Polk and Athena are comparable. I think the Athena's model for model offer a better overall sound for the buck at retail. I say if you can hold out until Fry's puts the R's on sale again, go for it. Either choice would be great. I've been impressed with the Athena line at it's price point. Of course when the R series is on sale that's the better buy strictly based on budget.

H9

AzN_plyR

01-24-2006, 09:00 PM

well thanks for the heads up heiney9... sorry I gave you a hard time.. but you know how noobs are, and besides... all that talk you said got to me...So I am gonna ditch Fluance and go for a more well known brand name..

Also, what do you or anyone else think about the JBL E60's? I can fit those in my budget.... that's only if the R30's doesn't go on sale... Well the R30's are "kinda" onsale at outpost today... they came back in stock and dropped 30 bucks or so.. was 100+ now 83 bucks each.. Bleh.

adam2434

01-24-2006, 09:32 PM

Glad to see you're off the Fluance and back to the Polk Rs and Athenas - both solid choices for the money. I truly believe you'll be much happier.

Don't know anything about those JBLs - you may want to check audioreview.com for reviews, and of course, listen to them if you can.

I hope there are more opportunities to get the R30s for $40 each (got somebody at work interested in a R series set-up), but there's no guarantee of that deal coming back.

Good luck.

heiney9

01-24-2006, 11:15 PM

Also, what do you or anyone else think about the JBL E60's? I can fit those in my budget.... that's only if the R30's doesn't go on sale... Well the R30's are "kinda" onsale at outpost today... they came back in stock and dropped 30 bucks or so.. was 100+ now 83 bucks each.. Bleh.

I personally haven't heard the JBL E60's. I've never been a huge fan of JBL in the past. You really should listen to as many of your choices as possible. If it were me I'd still stick to Polk or Athena for the money. But I think you've reached the point of narrowing it down to a few choices and the only thing left is to get your listen on and see which you prefer.

I bought my Athena's for my 2nd system without hearing them and based on audio mag reviews. But I also knew if they didn't work out I could return them for a refund. The only way to know for sure is to listen, or in the case of the R series listen to the people here that love them and the reasons why they love them.

H9

halo

01-24-2006, 11:16 PM

Patience is the key. On sale again they will be.

AzN_plyR

01-24-2006, 11:53 PM

lol.... those R30's at outpost came instock for less than a couple of days and now they are out of stock again.. lol

halo

01-24-2006, 11:58 PM

Yes - but if you place your order during the sale - you get the sale price when they are back in stock ;)

adam2434

01-29-2006, 11:50 AM

halo

01-29-2006, 01:13 PM

adam2434

01-29-2006, 01:21 PM

Yeah thanks, I'll probably put them in a remote room for cas listening and/or give them to one of my kids in a few years when they come of music age.

BjornB17

01-29-2006, 01:27 PM

On sale again they will be.

Alright, Yoda :)

halo

01-29-2006, 02:35 PM

Alright, Yoda :)

Problem it is not. Happy for Adam I am.

AzN_plyR

01-29-2006, 03:59 PM

HOLY CRAP thanks guys perfect time too!

AzN_plyR

01-29-2006, 04:35 PM

OK, obviously not as good as the $39 each we've seen in the past, but still a pretty good deal at $59 each. I just ordered a pair for $144 total shipped.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3241451?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Really? I just went there.. and they were 59 each yes, but when I did the calculate shipping thing, it was 44 buck for me! that comes out to 160 bucks....

Or is the calculating shipping thing wrong? I am confused.. does the calculate shipping thing includes the taxes too?

adam2434

01-29-2006, 06:27 PM

Really? I just went there.. and they were 59 each yes, but when I did the calculate shipping thing, it was 44 buck for me! that comes out to 160 bucks....

Or is the calculating shipping thing wrong? I am confused.. does the calculate shipping thing includes the taxes too?

My shipping was around $18 for ground shipping, and I had to pay tax too. I noticed that my R15s shipped from Wilmington, OH, which is only about 50 miles away. Maybe that's why my shipping was so cheap.

$18 for shipping 2 big boxes totaling almost 70 lbs is dirt cheap. $44 doesn't really seem too bad if they have some distance to travel. We're only talking $16 more than I paid.

Ron Temple

01-30-2006, 03:45 AM

The Rs were on sale at Frys stores this weekend @ $80. You guys need to move... :D

tsv

01-30-2006, 03:34 PM

R30 on sale at outpost again now at $58.75/ea.

amdeutsch

01-30-2006, 08:44 PM

Maybe some can get a better deal on shipping. I understand that the store in Sunnyvale has a shipping department. Might be cheaper for those that are closer to the left versus the right coast. :D

AzN_plyR

01-30-2006, 09:14 PM

:( yah, I guess it cost twice as much for shipping to california... :( ruins the deal for me! AND there's tax too.... psshhh for that price.. I could get something better hehe.

adam2434

02-03-2006, 02:26 PM

Just saw the R30s on sale at outpost.com for $41 each. Snag 'em up.

Damn, I just got them for $58 each a few days ago - should have been more patient, but patient I am not.

BTW, I broke 'em in a couple days and moved them into their room last night. They'll more than do for their intended purpose of occasional, casual listening.

As expected, bass is considerably deeper and punchier than the R15s. I'm actually impressed with the bass from these things. I always shyed away from small towers, but now I know that they can stand alone and still produce satisfying bass (even these teeny-tiny, inexpensive R30s). They have the same laid back, but lacking a lot of detail, highs of the R15s. They also have the same impressive-for-the-price vocals that I noticed on the R15s.

AzN_plyR

02-03-2006, 03:18 PM

yes I am getting a pair.. as soon as my dad gets home with the credit card.... Now only if the R15's goes on sale today too ... shipping is an A$$ for me.... 40 bucks a pair.. O well 130 out the door after ship and tax is a very good deal ... and after listening to them at Circuit City... I am defintely gonna get these babies..

halo

02-03-2006, 04:41 PM

Learned much you have. Happy you will be. :D

texastbird

02-03-2006, 07:04 PM

Yeah, I couldn't wait and got mine at the store for $59 each. And they get better the more I listen to them...
As a certified noob, I too almost fell into the Fluance et al trap. I thought that I'd better stay with a brand I knew about though, and I'm happy I did. Upgrades already on the horizon.......

AzN_plyR

02-04-2006, 12:21 AM

GUYS..... HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldnt wait so I drove an hour and got stuck in traffic to Fry's... got ONE FREAKING ONE PAIR LEFT of the R30's.... 42 bucks each speaker.. bought the last 2... 88 out the door after taxes... stuck in traffic on the way home too.... anyways... I was tired.. so I slowly open up the speakers.... bumped them up on my onkyo receiver from the computer.... hit play and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These things have more bass than I remember from my audition from circuitcity..... maybe it's my room?? lol.... these things gave my old pass down KLH's :D with a 15inch woofer.... MAN!!!! WOW I am so glad I bought these.... worth the 4 hour total on the freeway!!!

heiney9

02-04-2006, 12:53 AM

Did you really think we'd steer you wrong :D . You'd be crying in your Lucky Charms if you would have bought those Fluance speakers ;) . Enjoy

H9

AzN_plyR

02-04-2006, 01:45 AM

beardog03

02-04-2006, 01:59 AM

hook , line , & speaker..!!

welcome to the world of audio

It is an incurable desease that sucks the green from the wallet faster than ...

well , you get the idea...

congrats, & happy listening..!

Joey_V

02-04-2006, 02:35 AM

Thanks! Now I just need a matching center and some R15's when they go on sale :D ... O yah and a dayton sub, and a dvd player... (ps2 sucks hardcore.. wont read certain disc!) Ugh I am gonna be broke :p

Wait for the PS3!!!!

Err.... welcome to real audio azn_plyr! I remember you posted on [H] regarding these speakers and I'm glad that we pointed you to what we felt was the more "correct" direction. Enjoy your polks!

Z-M@n

02-04-2006, 07:15 AM

Noob here....

I, too, decided to upgrade my HT and purchased R30's from Outpost.com yesterday. I based my purchasing decision on forum reviews and price. I can't wait to try them out!!!!

I will be holding out for the Csi25 to back on sale to pair with R30's.

Can anyone suggest satellite rear speakers that would match R30's & Csi25. I looked into the R15's, but I don't have much room (4 feet) behind my sofa to place them at ear level. I'm currently using Sony HTIB satellite speakers, but my kids keep dropping my rear speaker stands and wouldn't want a larger speaker to fall on them. Thanks in advance for your help!

adam2434

02-04-2006, 09:57 AM

Can anyone suggest satellite rear speakers that would match R30's & Csi25. I looked into the R15's, but I don't have much room (4 feet) behind my sofa to place them at ear level. I'm currently using Sony HTIB satellite speakers, but my kids keep dropping my rear speaker stands and wouldn't want a larger speaker to fall on them. Thanks in advance for your help!

Actually, mounting the surround speakers 6-7 ft. up on the back wall or side walls behind the primary seating location is better for surround anyway. Also, this way, you don't have any risk of the kids knocking them down either. If you can do this, I'd go for the R15s. They have a keyhole slot, so you would not need to buy brackets.

AzN_plyR

02-04-2006, 11:19 AM

Head's up...... R50's Cheey on sale at OUTPOST for 79 a piece. I wouldve grabbed these if I didnt buy the R30's yet!! ... well not really they were less than half the price :p

Joey_V

02-04-2006, 04:07 PM

Dont you hate it when things go on sale right after you buy something?

I do!

I bought my Vantages for around $4500 (brand new in birds eye maple) and the next week I saw someone trying to unload their black Summits on audiogon ($10K at Tweeter) for only $6300! I'm like... can I return my Vantages?? Doh!!

beardog03

02-04-2006, 09:43 PM

Joey,

I am very interested in the same speaks..
How do you like them?
Are you gonna do a review....?

Joey_V

02-05-2006, 04:39 AM

Bob,

I'll pm you details as I dont want to derail the thread.

One word, sweetness...

Cpyder

11-03-2009, 05:46 PM

Deleted

concealer404

11-03-2009, 05:49 PM

Noice!!!! Another Fluance thread!

polkanddie

11-05-2009, 01:45 AM

Frys.com has r50s for 69 each, I dont know where you are located, but you can always ship them to any store for free... that comes to $138 for 2 r50's. I owned the r50s for about a year, and I loved them,(more bass than you would think) I wish I had kept them now... would have made good rears for my setup.