RT25i

by John, February 23, 2002

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Review:

Great choice for 2 channel computer-based audio system.

by Paul, February 28, 2002

Strengths:

Excellent performance for the price, great imaging, clear, detailed sound, decent bass. Maple finish makes 'em look more expensive (so does the sound, for that matter).

Weaknesses:

Need a good sub for true full range sound.

Review:

I use the RT25i's as surrounds in a home theater environment and they do quite well in this role. They integrate well with my mains, which go for 5 times the $ of the RT25's. I'm very impressed with the clear, detailed sound of the Polks, and they have decent bass considering their size. They image quite well also. They would make an excellent sytem of mains and surrounds (with matching Polk center) in a bugdet system. If you're in the market for an inexpensive satellite/bookshelf speaker, definitely listen to these. An excellent value.

by anthony, March 17, 2002

Strengths:

Very "airy",smooth and detailed, vocals are exceptional !!

Weaknesses:

At this price NONE !!

Review:

Awesome bookshelf speaker...I use them as surround speakers but sound great in stereo mode in a medium sized room...

by Chris Roberts, June 4, 2002

Strengths:

Good imaging, good clarity, Very good depth.

Weaknesses:

Well I could compare apples to oranges, but for this price it seems redundant

Review:

I have been listening to audiophile grade speakers for over 25 years and have owned a couple of them as well. Two months ago I started shopping for a relatively small and inexpensive surrond sound system that I could piece together for an entertainment room. After reading reviews of several products, I decided to go and demo them. I listened to several brands of speakers, until I listened to the RT25i. These speakers are to say the least heads and tails above anything in it's price range. When paired with a PSW250 sub and positioned correctly in a room, close your eyes and you could swear you are listening to speakers that cost several times more. These speakers could change my way of thinking. Is more expensive necessarily better?

by Austin, June 13, 2002

Strengths:

Extremely clear mids and highs with tight, punchy bass that Polk speakers tend to deliver. Plus, they are so compact, they can fit almost anywhere. Much better sounding than other speakers in the price range ($200-300), such as the Bose 201-IV series.

Weaknesses:

These speakers don't handle deep bass very well. At this price, it's a minor fault, but if you like movies that push it to the max like Jurassic Park just purchase an inexpensive subwoofer like a Sony SAWM20 ($99) and you're good to go.

Review:

These speakers are awesome. They sound as good if not better than many speakers priced well above them. They fill up a medium-sized room very nicely, however they work best in a home theater system.

by John, July 16, 2002

Strengths:

Exceptional imaging, wide soundstage, smooth and clear midrange. Gorgeous furniture quality cabinet (cherry veneer) was in perfect condition.

Weaknesses:

No real bass response below 80 hz. Bass passages make speakers distort when not using a subwoofer in a home theater system. Reduced high treble output may not appeal to people who enjoy a bright sounding speaker.

Review:

These are fine speakers for use in a home theater and especially a music system as long as a subwoofer is used. Bass response is very limited despite Polk's claims of 60 hz response. In my experience, little output is generated below 80 hz. The overall sound quality of the system is first rate with great imaging. The sound frequently appears to come from beyond the width and depth of the speakers. Midrange is very smooth and musical. These speakers excel at music and vocal reproduction. Although the treble is detailed and analytical it is at a lower output level than the midrange which can make some music sound a little dull. This deficiency is easy to live with and get use to and makes the speaker sound larger than it is. This is definitely not a bright or tinny sounding speaker. Great speaker for an audiophile on a budget.

by ERF, September 17, 2002

Strengths:

Great mids and highs, no hiss in the tweeter, great build quality.

Weaknesses:

none so far...not for audiophiles

Review:

This is a really good speaker for 200 dollars or less....but considering its low model rt15i is 150-200...why not go ahead and buy the 25i? newayz, this speaker has good highs and good mids for 200, as most polk speakers are, this is a laid back speaker, and does very well with music and home theatre. Although they dont offer that really bright sound that makes them feel live...

by Jimmy, November 25, 2002

Strengths:

Crisp highs, great imaging.

Weaknesses:

None.

Review:

One of the best kept secrets is not a secret anymore. Great speakers for the price. You'll appreciate them even if you're not a true audiophile.

by Stephen , December 2, 2007

Strengths:

Clean crisp sound.

Weaknesses:

none

Review:

I have used this as my rear speakers now for about 8 yrs and have not be disappointed at all. A Great addition to anyone home theatre.

by Peter, December 28, 2008

Strengths:

Mid Range with full depth is what these little speakers are all about.Definitly not harsh in the top end.The power output of these small speakers for the size is incredible.Work very well front and rear as a matching pair.Excellent value for sound quality.

Weaknesses:

Bass which you would expect for speakers this size.Missing mounting points on the bottom to secure to floorstands if you dont use them as book shelf speakers.

Review:

I have also had 2 pairs of these RT25i new since 2000 and I can honestly say they were a very good invest in my home Theather sound setup running front and rear.A small foot print with a very big personality.Matched up with the CS245i centre and Polk PW350 sub woofer is a perfect setup for a small impressive inexpensive 5.1 HT setup.If space is a premuim these are the perfect speakers you need.Great value for the sound quality.Highly recommended.

by Greg, July 7, 2010

Strengths:

sound,

Weaknesses:

none

Review:

I have the RT25i as a part of my 7 speaker surround system. My system was put together piece by piece, 2 Boston Acoustics front A, My RT25i Front B, Bic America center speaker, and 2 mighty midgets in the rear called MTS . Sony receiver , since I added the Polk RT25i everything sounds great, movies, music , just wait until I add a Polk Subwoofer.

by Joe Cashen, July 14, 2010

Strengths:

Very detailed, tight punchy bass, and they handle tons of power with out distorting. easy to listen to for hours.

Weaknesses:

I can't find any even if the cost was twice as much

Review:

The best bookshelf speaker I have ever heard in any price range, I have these paired up with the RT800I for my mains a CS245I center, PSW250 sub and 4 of these in my surround system. I have heard Many surround systems costing 3-4 times as much and there is no comparison.Some reviewers say they don't have any bass below 80Hz. Mine measured 57 Hz. where have you heard a speaker measuring 5 1/4" producing lower Hz than that while being able to handle every bit of 100 watts and not distorting

by jimmy clark, January 14, 2011

Strengths:

Simply put, everything,

Weaknesses:

Have been out of production, for many years.

Review:

These have to be the best bang for your buck bookshelves out there,,, scored a used pair, and there stunning, even prefer them, over the newer rtA1,, and thats saying something,, Ive heard $500, speakers that dont hold a candle to these,

etown.com, July 2000

—Steve Guttenberg

"Polk's new Reference Theater RT25i caught me off guard. It handled all sorts of home theater hijinks with assurance, and was cool with most of my jazz and rock CDs, too. Not only does this compact speaker pair sound great, but their genuine wood veneer looks a damn sight better than the finish on most speakers in this price class."

"The spunky little RT25i's appetite for anything from punchy big band romps to power pop jaunts was near insatiable. My evaluation pair threw a wide and spacious soundstage, yet it was easy to pluck out individual players in even the most densely packed recordings. Basically, this bad boy is a remarkably open-sounding loudspeaker."

SoundStage.com, September 2000

"The original RT25 was one of my favorite little inexpensive speakers. It had marvelous clarity, really excellent bass for a speaker its size and was an excellent performer for the money. The new RT25i is a little winner too."

[ Open Review ]

Stereo Review's Sound & Vision, December 2000

"Tonal balance...was outstanding...very neutral and transparent, with just about zero evidence of any of the common midrange colorations..."

Audiophile Magazine (Thailand), 2000

The report showed the excellent capacity of RT-25i. They appreciate in the high technology of tweeter, woofer and Power Port System. Though small in size, the sound quality is clear and real. The capacity in frequency response is very high and delicate. (The preceeding is a rough synopsis of the review translated from the original Thai text. Sorry, our Thai is a little rusty.)

Stereophile, September 2001

—Robert J. Reina

"It [the Polk Audio RT25i] is far superior to any speaker I've heard for less than $500/pair, and has become my favorite speaker for under $1000/pair... I've never been more impressed by an inexpensive loudspeaker."

[ Open Review ]