Polk Audio SurroundBar (42", 50", 360 DVD Theater, SDA IHT) - Review/ Help Thread

[numbnuts22715]

Congratulation... Please, let us know particularly what you think of the Low end efficiency without any subwoofer.

Cheers :)

I got it today, and hooked it up.
I think I have plenty of bass and more than enough sound(volume) for what my needs were. I'm extremely happy I went with this.
Most of what I do is tv watching, watching movies, and playing video games. I havent tested listening to music on it yet just because I really don't listen to music that often.

[TECHNOKID]

I got it today, and hooked it up.
I think I have plenty of bass and more than enough sound(volume) for what my needs were. I'm extremely happy I went with this.
Most of what I do is tv watching, watching movies, and playing video games. I havent tested listening to music on it yet just because I really don't listen to music that often.

I'm happy for you numbnuts22715! I think this will be the area where it will lack the most (music). Also try some (known/familiar) movies with lots of effects and thunder and you might find some weakness there too. I've quoted Kab's request for help on reviews for you to remember. I think it's the minimum we can do as they provide us with a forum where we can educate ourselves to make sound choices. Also keep in mind your review can help someone else make the best choice for themselves. Again, congrad and enjoy;)

This is a great and informative thread, offering great insight to those in the forum. I commend all the contributors.

We could use you help on the product pages. We're short on reviews for the SurroundBar 50, 360 and the new IHT. If you have an experience with any of these, we'd love to have to you contribute a short (or long) review.

Thanks,
Al

[svtjoe]

Here are some pics of my 50" Panny and my 50" SB. I tried to do a clean installation, there are sooo many wires. I ran 12 gauge to each SB input, HDMI to the TV, extension cords (CL2 rated), Subwoofer cable to my old schoo, trusty Velodyne CHT 10 (The Dust keeps it Vintage lol)..all to the closet with a RF repeater for my Harmony Remote. I also have two rear R15's ran wirelessly to add the 6,7th channel.

It sounds great.. I just need to fix some of the echoes..the tile and open(ess) don't help.


I was going to go with RTI10 and CSI3, but in this room space is tight and the option for a component cabinet (center channel stand) and the monster RTi's would make it even tighter. I am still keeping my eyes open on craigslist though.


Btw, the Surroundbar is Silver and the Grill is black.

Thanks,
Joe

[dorokusai]

Great pics Joe!

[acekaye]

I have had the SB50 for about 4 months. I use an Integra DTR 5.9 with an old Polk subwoofer with the sub running into the front inputs on the receiver. I have slightly tweaked the settings on the receiver, but not much. I am not hearing the surround as well as I had expected and I think that the lack of satisfaction is due to my room configuration. I attach the floorplan for reference.

I live in NYC and my living room is configured as follows approximately 11' x 23 ft. Note that in the last 1/5 of the living room (indicated below) there is a bar that separates the California kitchen from the living room. It is like the Jerry Seinfeld kitchen and the height of the bar is about 4 feet high.

My couch is along the back wall and the entire theater system is along the front wall about 6 feet in from the window.

I understand that the location of the SB50 precludes the full usage of the SDA technology in that the side speakers have nothing to bounce the sound off. I can tinker with the Integra DTR settings to indicate where the speakers should be in relation to the couch, but not the angle in which the sound should come out. Any insights on changing the settings or placement and types of reflective devices for the sound to bounce off of would be most appreciated. I will post pictures if that is helpful.

Thanks,

David

[svtjoe]

I have noticed that the effects are better when there is nothing behind you. I had a wall directly behind me in my last place and whenever I moved forward, I could hear the effects much more.

Also, run the rears around 6db+.. Pics would be helpful.

Thanks,

Joe

[acekaye]

I have noticed that the effects are better when there is nothing behind you. I had a wall directly behind me in my last place and whenever I moved forward, I could hear the effects much more.

Also, run the rears around 6db+.. Pics would be helpful.

Thanks,

Joe

Thanks Joe. Unfortunately, there is not much space in the room so I am kind of limited with the wall behind the couch. How far bar was your wall from where you sat? Also, if you have the rears on 6db+, how high do you set the other speakers? I am including some pictures below to show how the system is set up.

[jimbo1421]

How about placing the TV in the corner by the window at about a 60 degree angle off the window wall? I have mine in a similar position in a 13' x 19' room. My room is open on the right side; I get a bit of a reflection off the left wall which is also where I placed the subwoofer. The net result is that the sound field is pulled a bit to the left. I still get a good 180 degree sound field from my SB 42.

But I can understand not wanting to give up even a square inch of window space.

[TECHNOKID]

svtjoe, Really looks like a nice clean job!

[svtjoe]

Thanks Joe. Unfortunately, there is not much space in the room so I am kind of limited with the wall behind the couch. How far bar was your wall from where you sat? Also, if you have the rears on 6db+, how high do you set the other speakers? I am including some pictures below to show how the system is set up.

Leave the rest of the Channels on 0. Set your rears to about +6db. Also not sure on your reciever, but set the delay to the rears to about .15ms. That would be about 15 feet (My Denon uses feet, not MS).

This will create a nice delay.

In my old setup I was about 10 feet from the bar on my couch. The wall was directly behind me. As I moved forward (I sat on my coffee table) I could hear stuff I never heard before with the bar.

Your angle and height of the bar look good. Its tougher to mount it on the wall as your TV will be too high if the bar is a tad above ear level..I still may move mine up a tad...I took a different approach on this house as I kept the tv at a tad above eye level when sitting down. I think most people mount their tv too high on the wall, when really, they should have bought a bigger screen :)

Try those reciever settings and watch Bad Boys II (The Tahoe chase scene<< awesome)


Tehncokid : Thanks! I need to see if I can fit a bigger sub under that table to keep it hidden. MY CHT10 is working hard to fill that non sound loving room!

[rsharp2000]

Another newbie here! Just installed the SurroundBar 50 below my Samsung 52" over the fireplace and it looks great! Love the look and cleanness of the SB50 on the wall w/ the 52" LCD.

I am running 5.1 now (may expand to 7.1?) but room is small so may not need to. Also running a PSW505 powered sub - which I just troubleshot w/ forum help (thanks to all!) and is working great! IMHO there is no comparism to having a separate sub to push the bass thru on movie soundtracks (or music) regardless of what any mfgr tells you - sorry guys!

Originally I had all my Onkyo 706 sound channels running to the SB50 but found the surround sound a bit lacking so I have recently added separates for the SR & SL channels on side wall locations just above the primary viewing area. For now am trying Cambridge Soundworks white S205 switchable bipole/dipoles (almost free - and looks very nice on the wall) and also have a smaller set of S100's to try as well - also switchable bipole/dipole (sorry again guys but both were rated very high & SW giving them away for less than $100 shipped - so thought I'd try them before springing for FXi 3s or 4s).

My physical room config has several "holes" in it since the left wall is entirely open to approx 9' above the floor. There is a 10'L x 8'H hole in the right rear wall going into the kitchen/breakfast area. Room size is approx 20'W x 26'L x 9'-24'H sloping cathedral ceiling.

For me it came down between the SB50 & Yami 4000. Yami sounded great too but relies more on physical room config & walls to bounce off so went w/ SB50. And my plan was that if I did need to add separate surrounds the SB50 would make a clean F-C-R speaker package w/ a large flat screen - which is where I am now.

Will send some pics shortly ...

... am also wondering if I can use the unused SB50 SR/SL channels as add'l front speakers w/ the SB50 F/L speakers(can I bi-amp or series/parallel wire them or ???) and set sound levels w/ Audyssey calibaration from the Onk 706???

[jon5]

Question for vm20 please help me out

i have pair of vm30 set as left and right front speakers and 1 vm20 as center

my question is that be good if i used pair of vm20 for rear surrounds ?
That mean = 2 vm30 front + 1 vm20 center + 2 vm20 rear surrounds?

Thanks am new baby from polk

[YOTR]

I have a question. I should be receiving my Surroundbar 50 in a few days and am concerned about my placement and if it will affect the sound. I currently have my tv on a stand and will put the Surroundbar in front of it. I have a av rack (for receiver, xbox 360, PS3, etc) right next to the tv stand on the left side. Will the SDA/Surround effect be lost on the left side because of the rack right next to the tv stand? I don't know how the sound field works on the Surroundbar 50 which is why I am asking. I really can't move this rack ( I might be able to move it out a few feet and put my sub between the rack and stand) so I thought I would ask. I have a Pioneer 5020 and have just enough room to put the Surroundbar 50 right underneath the screen where the detachable speaker normally goes. That would put it directly side by side with the AV rack. Thanks in advance!

[debussyj]

Hi, I have a similar scenario. I have the Pio 5020 also and two tall AV towers, one is on the right the other on the left. They kind of frame the space for the display. I have had no sonic problems with this setup at all. BTW, you're going to love how nicely the SB 50 fits underneath the Pio, like it was made for it. Enjoy!

[Kenneth Swauger]

Hello YOTR,
Thanks for posting on the Forum. In general terms the SurroundBar 50 works best if it is placed so that there are no large reflections coming from fairly flat objects to the speaker's left and right sides. The idea is to have the relationship between the "normal" audio channels and the "SDA" audio information reach the listener with no interference. If your component rack is fairly open with no large reflecting surfaces you should be fine. Try and push the rack as far back, as possible, and bring the SurroundBar as far forward, as possible, to minimize the reflections and you should be fine.
Take care and enjoy, Ken

[YOTR]

Hi, I have a similar scenario. I have the Pio 5020 also and two tall AV towers, one is on the right the other on the left. They kind of frame the space for the display. I have had no sonic problems with this setup at all. BTW, you're going to love how nicely the SB 50 fits underneath the Pio, like it was made for it. Enjoy!

Well that's good news!

[YOTR]

Hello YOTR,
Thanks for posting on the Forum. In general terms the SurroundBar 50 works best if it is placed so that there are no large reflections coming from fairly flat objects to the speaker's left and right sides. The idea is to have the relationship between the "normal" audio channels and the "SDA" audio information reach the listener with no interference. If your component rack is fairly open with no large reflecting surfaces you should be fine. Try and push the rack as far back, as possible, and bring the SurroundBar as far forward, as possible, to minimize the reflections and you should be fine.
Take care and enjoy, Ken

It is a pretty open rack. Just four shelves that are completely open. The one shelf that is level with the surroundbar will have a receiver in it but hopefully that won't be an issue. I will try to move the rack/surroundbar around some if I have issues.

[jimbo1421]

Listening to 2 channel audio is less satisfying. The Yamaha RX-V496 has three DSP programs for translating stereo input to some kind of surround sound: DISCO, ROCK CONCERT, and CONCERT HALL. These add to the width of the sound stage, which is much needed since the left and right channels are less than 3' apart. Too bad the DSP effects are often unlistenable. They add Yamaha sound engineering on top of whatever the recording engineers did; the result sometimes sounds right, but often it's just a muddle. Turning the DSP effect off leaves a much narrower sound stage, but a more listenable sound. So my solution has been to connect up my old custom built speaker pair on the AVR's B channel. The sound quality is not so good; the old speakers have an oboe-like timbre to them (saxophone, if you want to be cruel), where the SurroundBar is more neutral.

Listening to stereo recordings at higher volumes (-28db) on the SurroundBar is also not so good. I overlooked the recommended amplification specification before I bought; it's 125 watts/channel. My AVR is rated at 70 watts. The result is distortion; with classical music high register violins get shrieky and classical piano music starts to sound clangy. So I have to turn it down. On the plus side, when the choice is popular music, with the DISCO DSP, the results can be terrific. I especially like Dire Straits and Joan Armatrading at full volume.

I want to amend this part of my review, since it is undeservedly too negative. I realized after much closer listening that the harshness I reported was due to poor quality inputs and have taken steps to improve these. I was listening to an FM music broadcast from a good strong station and thought "Hey, that sounds nice"; clear and detailed, it was a pleasure to hear. This was with no 2 channel DSP effects. Well recorded classical CDs also sound good. Due to the 36" L/R separation the sound stage is narrow but still seems larger than the SurroundBar itself. Sitting 8 feet away from the SB, this is not much of a defect.

Still, I have started to set up a separate 2 channel system at the other end of my living room.

Jim

[TECHNOKID]

I want to amend this part of my review, since it is undeservedly too negative. I realized after much closer listening that the harshness I reported was due to poor quality inputs and have taken steps to improve these. I was listening to an FM music broadcast from a good strong station and thought "Hey, that sounds nice"; clear and detailed, it was a pleasure to hear. This was with no 2 channel DSP effects. Well recorded classical CDs also sound good. Due to the 36" L/R separation the sound stage is narrow but still seems larger than the SurroundBar itself. Sitting 8 feet away from the SB, this is not much of a defect.

Still, I have started to set up a separate 2 channel system at the other end of my living room.

Jim

One point we also have to realize, 2 channel set-up is met to reflect music in stereo and my thinking/belief is that a surroundbar will not be able to achieve this due to the confinement of speakers within the same enclosure and this not to mention the necessary distance between speakers in order to achieve stereo listening. HT listening is all about effects NOT music listening therefore I feel a combination of a good 2 channel set-up is a must with the surround bar for music listening. Most receivers today have the AB option making the task easy and innexpensive (the only relative cost is the extra 2 speakers)

[jimbo1421]

In the awkward corner where the HT stands I couldn't make the B part of the AB option work; components were spilling over into the dining room which I didn't like. Back in the 1980s I built a cabinet specifically for a turntable, receiver and 2 shelves of LPs. I haven't been able to use it in my new (since 2002) place in conjunction with the HDTV and its electronics. So I am splitting off into two separate systems.

[TECHNOKID]

In the awkward corner where the HT stands I couldn't make the B part of the AB option work; components were spilling over into the dining room which I didn't like. Back in the 1980s I built a cabinet specifically for a turntable, receiver and 2 shelves of LPs. I haven't been able to use it in my new (since 2002) place in conjunction with the HDTV and its electronics. So I am splitting off into two separate systems.

A stand alone 2 channels is another option... I don't exactly understand what you by "B" not working or are you simply talking about the clutter the extra speakers? If so, do you intend to locate the 2 channels elsewhere?

Cheers :)

[jimbo1421]

Yup, a stand alone two channel system at the other end of the living room in a niche between the front window and the fireplace where my TT/receiver cabinet just fits. I dislike having furniture and equipment blocking windows, otherwise I could put it all in one place. In a small house built in 1924, long before home theaters, getting a room arrangement that works both aesthetically and acoustically is a challenge. Being single I have to supply my own WAF.

Sunday I bought a NAD 106 preamp and Parasound HCA 1000A amp, both used. I am awaiting a replacement stylus for my turntable. My laptop is still doing double duty, supplying 2 channel iTunes to the NAD via USB and DVD 5.1 surround by optical audio to the AVR and SurroundBar.

But now we are getting way off topic so I will sign off.

Regards,
Jim

[YOTR]

I just received my surroundbar 50 on ebay from a seller and it arrived damaged. I am sending it back today and noticed that Polk directly sells refurbished Surroundbar 50's with a warranty. Does anyone have any experience with a refurb from polk? I am tempted as I can probably get one really cheap but it does state it could have cosmetic blemishes or scratches. I know companies say that a lot but many times the item looks and performs brand new (at least with my few experiences buying refurb products). Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or experiences to share. I have a black speaker grill from polk I ordered (I got a great deal on a titanium one originally but wanted a black grill) sitting in my house with no speaker :(.

[TECHNOKID]

I just received my surroundbar 50 on ebay from a seller and it arrived damaged. I am sending it back today and noticed that Polk directly sells refurbished Surroundbar 50's with a warranty. Does anyone have any experience with a refurb from polk? I am tempted as I can probably get one really cheap but it does state it could have cosmetic blemishes or scratches. I know companies say that a lot but many times the item looks and performs brand new (at least with my few experiences buying refurb products). Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or experiences to share. I have a black speaker grill from polk I ordered (I got a great deal on a titanium one originally but wanted a black grill) sitting in my house with no speaker :(.

You have to be carefull when ordering on line to make sure the dealer is accredited by Polk otherwise you loose all warranties. I personally think you should have ordered from Polk e-bay store right of the start as they garantee their product, they stand by it as the work is performed by people that knows the product. Look at the feed-back from people on this forum, its a big loud voice for Polk e-bay store, you get the usual great Polk CS. If you can, return the product and get it directly from Polk store.

Cheers :)

[jacob.simpson]

I just received my surroundbar 50 on ebay from a seller and it arrived damaged. I am sending it back today and noticed that Polk directly sells refurbished Surroundbar 50's with a warranty. Does anyone have any experience with a refurb from polk? I am tempted as I can probably get one really cheap but it does state it could have cosmetic blemishes or scratches. I know companies say that a lot but many times the item looks and performs brand new (at least with my few experiences buying refurb products). Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or experiences to share. I have a black speaker grill from polk I ordered (I got a great deal on a titanium one originally but wanted a black grill) sitting in my house with no speaker :(.

I ordered a MI dock for my friend, and FXi3 for my brother, except for the sticker on the box, there is no difference, as good as new, and very recently the Refurb speaker have a warranty of 2 years and the new ones remain at 5.
Blindly order from Polk eBay

[YOTR]

You have to be carefull when ordering on line to make sure the dealer is accredited by Polk otherwise you loose all warranties. I personally think you should have ordered from Polk e-bay store right of the start as they garantee their product, they stand by it as the work is performed by people that knows the product. Look at the feed-back from people on this forum, its a big loud voice for Polk e-bay store, you get the usual great Polk CS. If you can, return the product and get it directly from Polk store.

Cheers :)

I know, I should of just ordered from them. I think I was just so paranoid about buying a refurbished product that was scratched and nicked up. Then again, look what happend when I didn't. I sent back the speaker and the seller is going to give me a full refund. I already have the black speaker grill so I guess I am on the hunt for a titanium one. I noticed the titanium one's sell for quite a bit less than the black ones on ebay through polk

[TECHNOKID]

I am on the hunt for a titanium one.

Titanium grill or Titanium surroundbar?

[YOTR]

Titanium grill or Titanium surroundbar?

Sorry titanium speaker. I guess I could send back the black grill to polk and just bid on a black surroundbar 50 but I haven't made up my mind yet.

[TECHNOKID]

What is the price on that Black Grill???

[YOTR]

What is the price on that Black Grill???

I got it for a little over $25 shipped. I got a discount for being a polk forum member and free shipping. Pretty good deal in my opinion.