Polk R15 vs. T15 vs. M10 for 2 channel listening?

[Serendipity]

Hi,

About to purchase my first pair of Polks - R15 bookshelves. Was wondering what are the differences between the R15 vs. T15 vs. M10 for 2 channel listening? Also see that Polk has the R150 model for sale. Is there any significant difference between these models?

Will be paired with a small sub, room is 12 X 20 with 8' ceiling. As far as placement goes, they will be out in the open on stands (not in a bookshelf or enclosure).

Thanks!

[Serendipity]

Anyone??

These will be driven with 50w/ch and used for moderate (low) listening levels.

[Erik Tracy]

Anyone??

These will be driven with 50w/ch and used for moderate (low) listening levels.

Not sure.

All I can go on are the tech specs and based on that, you're selection and question is like asking what is the difference between a black Honda Accord, a grey Honda Accord, or the silver Honda Accord :D

The R150s aren't listed for wall mounting, but it sounds like that is not an issue for your configuration.

I would guess that any of the ones you're looking at would do a good job for the budget.

Just be careful of getting the upgrade bug! :D

[Serendipity]

Not sure.

All I can go on are the tech specs and based on that, you're selection and question is like asking what is the difference between a black Honda Accord, a grey Honda Accord, or the silver Honda Accord :D

The R150s aren't listed for wall mounting, but it sounds like that is not an issue for your configuration.

I would guess that any of the ones you're looking at would do a good job for the budget.

Just be careful of getting the upgrade bug! :D

Thanks! I guess then R15=T15=M10, just the same speaker with only color differences.

The only thing I see is that the R150 doesn't have a port in the picture on the Polk Website.

[Zeros]

The r150 is rear ported, that's also why they don't recommend wall mounting them.

[Serendipity]

The r150 is rear ported, that's also why they don't recommend wall mounting them.

I guess it uses the same drivers then. I'll be sure to listen to the R15 vs. the R150's when I get a chance.

[comfortablycurt]

LSi9's?

[Serendipity]

LSi9's?

What, you want me to get LSi9's?

[domflane]

I have a pair of T15's and I owned a pair of R150's for about two days. The only real difference is the port. The T15's were my first speaker that didn't come in a box with the receiver and they got me hooked on Polk sound. They have a suprisingly full sound with pretty decent mid bass. I powered them with a 50w HK receiver and never had a problem. With a sub they should do just fine. Be careful of that upgrade bug though, it happens to all of us . . .

[Serendipity]

They have a suprisingly full sound with pretty decent mid bass. I powered them with a 50w HK receiver and never had a problem. With a sub they should do just fine.

I've been looking at subs and the PSW10 seems like it would match fine. (I see you are using a PSW650)

[Erik Tracy]

I've been looking at subs and the PSW10 seems like it would match fine. (I see you are using a PSW650)

Careful though, the PSW10 does NOT have an LFE input.

[Serendipity]

Careful though, the PSW10 does NOT have an LFE input.

No problem. This is going to be a 2-channel system and the PSW10 has line-level input.

[messiah]

OMG, 4800 posts and this is your first pair of polks? This has got to be a first lol! No disrespect intended, just an observation :). That said, don't buy any of them. I had them a while ago. It was a set I bought off craigslist: 4 r15's, 1 cs245i, and a psw450 for 200 bucks. For 200, it was a pretty good deal, but I couldn't get past the lack of impact from those little speakers. They would be ok for a small bedroom I guess, or for a really small HT, but for 2 channel music I'd say hell no! They really kinda sucked for music, it made me want to use headphones instead :( .The PSW10 isn't that great either. I love polk, but you're looking at the bottom of the line. You'd do better getting a decent pair of polk towers from your local CL. Just a thought.

Oh

[Serendipity]

That said, don't buy any of them.

Why not? I did get a chance to hear the R150's at a local store and they sounded decent (although the setup wasn't ideal, it was a Yamaha receiver driving many pairs of speakers through a selector box). The R150's sounded good for the money.

[messiah]

Why not?

I don't think they sound good for music at all. They are ok as surrounds for HT, or as bedroom speakers so you dont have to listen to the crappy speakers that come with a tv, but that's about it imho. Ok, maybe garage speakers if you could get them used for 20 bucks. If they sound good to you, buy them. After all, it's not my ears that have to listen to them, and if they make YOU happy that's all that matters. I do know though that you can find speakers on craigslist for less money that will absolutely SMOKE these, and not need a sub to go with them.

[Serendipity]

Thanks, I'm still going with the R15's though!

[Serendipity]

After all, it's not my ears that have to listen to them, and if they make YOU happy that's all that matters.

Yes, they sound good to me.

I can't wait till I get them!!

[Serendipity]

I don't think they sound good for music at all. They are ok as surrounds for HT, or as bedroom speakers so you dont have to listen to the crappy speakers that come with a tv.

I'm getting the R15's soon. The previous owner used them for surrounds, so not sure how they will work in a 2 channel environment.

Will find out soon though - and post the results.

[messiah]

Really? Are you in some isolated place with no CL? Why are you hung up on junk? Those are probably the worst speakers polk has made in years, and while they aren't bad for entry level THEY TOTALLY SUCK compared to what you can get for cheep. Enjoy those bad ass r15's tho

[mikeyb]

I had the r15's and m10's as surrounds and surround backs for my 7.1 system. I used them for about 2 weeks. They sounded terrible as surrounds. I upgraded as soon as possible...... :)

[tonyb]

For 2 channel listening ?? .....obviously,after so many posts,you haven't learned too much. IMHO though,your room is too big for those speakers you have listed, and they are not the best representation of what Polk has to offer.

[gdb]

2 channel ?? Get some used SDAs and never look back !;)

[WilliamM2]

If I were you, I would look for at least a used pair of Rti28's or 38's. Skip the PSW10, not musical at all, a one note wonder, that distorts and emits more port noise than actual bass output.

[Serendipity]

Really? Are you in some isolated place with no CL? Why are you hung up on junk? Those are probably the worst speakers polk has made in years, and while they aren't bad for entry level THEY TOTALLY SUCK compared to what you can get for cheep. Enjoy those bad ass r15's tho

Just in case if you haven't seen THIS thread:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93312

I already have DefTech towers in my 2 channel system. I'm looking to try these out, ok?

[kawizx9r]

Coming from someone that's personally owned a pair of R15's I'd say pass. Unless they're going in a garage or something, don't even bother.

Pick up a pair of LSi's if you're looking into staying with Polk or at the very least some SDA's.

You should also do something about that room, talk about reflection galore!

[Mon40CSMM10]

M10's for two channel listening will be adequate for low to moderate listening levels.

They will give a full enough sound without missing too much low end and they probably won't sound too bright, but I wouldn't be expecting super deep or hard hitting bass from a smaller 2-way speaker. The midbass is still very good, and the tweeter still isn't overly harsh.

This is based on my testing of M10 bookshelf speakers as a possible candidate for use as front mains. For that test, they didn't work all that well at higher volumes (especially for techno and hiphop music I used for testing with electronic drum sounds that go really low), but they will work well enough for low to moderate volumes and I think they work great as surround speakers too.

[Serendipity]

You should also do something about that room, talk about reflection galore!

Which room? The Living Room (TV plus 5.1 surround) or 2 Channel (DefTech + projector system)?

[Serendipity]

I just got home with the R15's and hooked them up (wow they are quite solid speakers for the size). I placed them on top of the Definitives for a quick listen and they sound good. Although not as good as the Definitive BP10B's, they are decent for low to moderate listening levels. Anything louder the DefTechs are much better with regards to imaging, detail, soundstage, and precision.

[kawizx9r]

I just got home with the R15's and hooked them up (wow they are quite solid speakers for the size). I placed them on top of the Definitives for a quick listen and they sound good. Although not as good as the Definitive BP10B's, they are decent for low to moderate listening levels. Anything louder the DefTechs are much better with regards to imaging, detail, soundstage, and precision.

Congrats on the speakers.

Hell, here I was telling you not to get them but that was based on personal experience. I hated them but they did alright as surround speakers.

[Serendipity]

I may use them as surround speakers too.