Bookshelf
This product is a vintage Polk model and is not available for sale, but it may still be available in some stores as a closeout or used product. The following text is taken from the original sales brochure for this product and does not reflect current availability. If you happen to have any question or concerns about this product, or any other Polk Audio product, feel free to contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-377-7655 Monday - Friday, 9am - 5:30pm EST
A Well-Rounded High Performance Speaker
Shot through with modern looks and high performance sensibilities, the VM20 Speaker is a versatile achiever. It can be used a stereo pair for dynamic music enjoyment. Use it as the building block of a complete home theater system, or as the surround speakers in a system based on the Floorstanding VM30 Speaker. Position it horizontally, and the VM20 functions as center channel speaker, revealing crisp detail and seamless blending in the VM Series.
Use optional FS20 floor stands or TS20 table stands to position the VM20 at the perfect height.
Dynamic Balance Design Technology
Dynamic Balance is our patented advanced analysis of a speaker's entire electro-acoustic and mechanical system. It helps us select better materials and more efficient geometry. With deep analysis, we can pinpoint and eliminate things that reduce performance before they become a part of the finished product. The aluminum and polypropylene driver materials in the VM Series are specially tuned to produce a flat, uncolored frequency response. This true transparency reveals a wide dynamic range, with sharp details, and no hint of strain.
Klippel Distortion Analysis
The state-of-the-art Klippel Distortion Analyzer uses a lasers and sophisticated software to do large-scale analysis of drivers in motion. We use this technology to test speaker motors (the moving parts) while they are still in the prototype stage. We can tweak voice coils and spiders for optimal motion, ensuring that a speaker will perform well at both low and high volume levels.
Aircraft-Quality Aluminum Extruded Cabinets
VM Series speakers eschew traditional wood and plastic for hand polished black or silver aluminum. VM cabinets are chambered and braced, and internally lined with closed cell foam, eliminating internal resonances and absorbing driver "back wave," for greater midrange clarity and clearer midbass response. Fine machining and curved designs complement both traditional (surprise!) and modern decors. VM30 and VM10 models feature elegant glass bases that provide stability while accenting their jewel-like quality.
Mineral Filled Polypropylene Drivers
For the flattest possible frequency response, with excellent detail and transparency, these innovative materials have been tuned with our Dynamic Balance process. Butyl Rubber Surrounds provide excellent resonance damping for better sound and high durability for a lifetime of listening enjoyment.
Aluminum Dome Tweeter
The Ferro-Magnetic fluid-cooled Aluminum Dome Tweeters of the VM Series are super-efficient, and create excellent dispersion off-axis. They reveal essential high frequency accuracy, even at lifelike volumes.
Planar Bass Radiators
The secret to rich, deep bass response in an impossibly thin (and good looking) loudspeaker is our exclusive Planar Bass Radiator design, snatched from our hugely successful DSWmicroPro Series Subwoofers. Both VM30 and VM20 models utilize the Planars, in which a non-powered "radiator" mimics a speaker cone to reinforce ultra-low-end bass frequencies. The result is deep, musical bass that blends smoothly with the speaker's overall dynamics, for surprisingly big bass impact for such a slim player.
Narrow Baffle Geometry, Small-Driver Configuration
A one-two performance punch that results in smart styling and superior sound. First, multiple smaller drivers are combined for more overall driver area with less overall driver mass, for wider range, more spacious soundstaging, and better detail. Second, these smaller drivers are arranged vertically in a slender enclosure, and tuned to project sound over a wider area, so every seat in the house hears a prime performance.
High Velocity Array
VM30 and VM20 models benefit from a special, slim speaker driver configuration that works in conjunction with the Narrow Baffle Geometry. This array widens the dispersion of the loudspeaker, creating a wide, deep soundstage with crisp, articulate sound.
Timbre-Matched Versatility
The VM Series is timbre-matched to other Polk Audio loudspeakers, so you can mix-and-match them to build or add to existing systems. And you can mix-and-match among the models in the VM Series to go from a dynamic basic 2-channel stereo setup to a full-on home theater system, 5.1 and beyond, and always experience seamless, realistic blending between speakers.
Magnetically Shielded
All models of the VM Series are engineered to be safe when placed near sensitive AV equipment like monitors or TVs.
Gold-Plated 5-Way Binding Post Connectors
Gold-plated 5-way professional binding post connectors give you maximum signal transfer and the most secure professional connections.
Famous Polk Dependability & Durability
Like all of our products, the VM Series uses only the best materials coupled with the most advanced manufacturing techniques on the planet. All Polk products must pass a battery of the most physically strenuous and exhaustive performance tests in the industry, including drop testing and extreme signal response testing. Polk Audio loudspeakers are proudly built to perform for a lifetime.
Polk Audio Customer Service: The Gold Standard
Call or email us and you'll be connected to real live human who knows just about everything there is to know about audio and performance electronics. From "how do I get started?" and "what should I buy?" to "how do I stop that hiss?" and "which tube needs replacing?" and everything in between, we know the answers you need to get back to enjoying your audio entertainment pronto. Just ask.
Driver Complement | |
|---|---|
| Tweeter | |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Diameter | 1" (2.54cm) |
| Type | Ferro-magnetic fluid-cooled aluminum dome |
| Mid / Woofer | |
| Quantity | 2 |
| Diameter | 4" (10.16cm) |
| Type | Dynamic Balance mineral filled polymer composite cone driver, shielded |
| Subwoofer | |
| Quantity | 2 |
| Diameter | 4" (10.16cm) |
| Type | Planar bass radiator |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
| Total Frequency Response | 70Hz-26kHz |
| Upper -3dB Limit | 25 kHz |
| Lower -3dB Limit | 80 Hz |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Efficiency | 89 dB |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 20-175 watts per channel |
| Inputs | 5-way binding posts |
Amplifier Specs | |
|---|---|
| 220V Availability | No |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Dimensions | |
| Height | 25 1/4" (64.14cm) |
| Width | 5 7/16" (13.81cm) |
| Depth | 4 1/4" (10.79cm) |
| Mounting Options | Cradle, wall mount bracket, stand |
| Product Weight (each) | 11.60 pounds |
Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Unit of Measure | each |
| Total Shipping Weight | 13.30 pounds |
| Recommended Accessories | FS20 Floor Stand; TS20 Table Stand |
Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Speaker Warranty | 5 years parts and labor (original purchaser) |
Specifications, dimensions and features subject to change without notice. For more information call us at 1-800-377-7655 (USA and Canada). Outside of North America call +1 (410) 358-3600.
Customer Reviews
7 reviews with an average of 4.5
Write your own reviewby DJ, March 6, 2009
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
See above, they're beautiful and they sound great.
Weaknesses:
I'll let you know if I find any.
Review:
I had an opportunity to borrow a pair of these for a pretty lengthy period of time. If first impressions are anything, these speakers hit the proverbial home run. As soon as I took them out of the box my wife declared that we were buying some, they look that good. The piano black finish was gorgeous and they looked fantastic on the smoked glass stands. One nice thing about the stands is that they have a channel to run the speaker wire through so it's completely hidden, giving a nice clean appearance. The metal enclosure was very rigid and solid so it will not color the sound. Speaking of the sound, I was a little concerned on a couple of fronts. I did not think the driver complement and enclosure size would not allow it to play very loud or throw a large sound stage. Boy was I wrong. These speakers played as loud as I wanted without any hint of distortion and were highly detailed and transparent. The sound stage was as good as many speakers I've heard many times their size. I have listened to many speakers with metal tweeters that were very edgy and that I could not listen to for very long. These were not. The only word I can think of is "energetic" but without harshness or fatigue. They do have a limited frequency range so get the matching sub whether for music or movies. Polk makes no secret of this and it's part of what allows them to use a smaller, lighter weight enclosure that can go on the wall and look good next to that new plasma or lcd.
by khalid hassan Chikte, November 19, 2007
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
very good design.Goes with any kind of ambience.Powerful sound exploring each sound signal to the fullest
Weaknesses:
None that I thinnk off.
Review:
very good design.Goes with any kind of ambience.Powerful sound exploring each sound signal to the fullest.
by David, December 4, 2007
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Smooth, blending image with strong on-wall performance. They sound even better on stands.
Weaknesses:
The larger profile makes it more difficult to place in or on furniture as a center. Not a problem on-wall.
Review:
An excellent replacement for the RM30/RM302 series speakers. In a more asthetically pleasing design with even better sound. They're a little larger than the outgoing model, but look better with the newer flat-panels and provide a wider, smoother image.
by Jim, August 11, 2008
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
excellent sound quality for TV, Ipod interface/cd for music and with movies, both DVD and recorded. Center channel has excellent voice quality
Weaknesses:
Really nothing I have found so far
Review:
Using VM20 for left and right front as well as center speaker horizontally in front of the TV. Really excellent quality speakers and with the black color, very visually matching with tv and entire system.
by Dennis Budihardja, January 5, 2010
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Perfect Sound, packaging and quality
Weaknesses:
None whatsoever!!!!
Review:
Polk Audio earned my business again. I compared this against Cascade series from Infinity and I picked the VM20. From Miles Davis, Chris Botti, to Michael Buble, Diana Krall and Josh Groban. Very accurate, excellent imaging. Perfectly paired with my Polk Audio monitor series floor and Harman Kardon Receiver.
by shack, March 8, 2010
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Treble and bass response were very good given the size of the speakers. Excellent build quality and attractive.
Weaknesses:
Midrange. Soundstage was limited. The floor stands were too tall causing issues with tweeter height, stability on carpet and binding post location.
Review:
I was able to demo a pair of VM20s for a couple of weeks. They temporarily replaced a pair of Polk RT55i speakers in my Home theater system. In that time I gave these speakers a pretty good workout with a nice cross section of movies and music. I like these quite a bit. The were very good in the upper range and went surprisingly low given their size. I attribute that to the two passive woofers in the narrow enclosure. The were more than adequate for home theater applications. I would highly recommend them for someone wanting a slim design especially for a wall mount. As pure music speakers they had some limitations. I played everything from Jimi Hendrix, to Sarah Mclachlan ….with country, classical, blues and some Jimmy Buffett thrown in for good measure. I found the midrange to be the weakest aspect of these speakers. The upper range was good and very detailed. Not as smooth as the vifa tweeter found in the LSi series but not harsh or fatiguing. Again the amount and quality of the bass was a surprise. They still benefit from the addition of a nice sub, but can easily be used without one. Imaging was good but the soundstage was limited. From a build quality standpoint they are very good. They were solid and good looking. My complaint is with the height of the floor stands. I think they elevate the speakers too high. I prefer to have the tweeter at ear level when in a normal sitting position. You have to be in a fairly tall chair for that to occur with these speakers. The height also tends to make them a bit top heavy. The definitely need spikes on carpet for stability, but even on hardwood they had the feeling that it wouldn't take too much for them to tip over. They never did, but just gave that feeling. I also felt the placement of the binding posts (near the top of the speaker when using the stands) was awkward and made using large diameter speaker cables difficult. This not an issue when using without the floor stands. Bottom line, as home theater speaker I would give these a 5 star rating. As a pure music speaker…3.75 to 4 stars. They are definitely worth considering if one is looking for a good looking slim design speaker that performs and sounds like a speaker with a much larger enclosure/cabinet.
by IRLRaceFan, June 5, 2010
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Sound clarity, appearance, and overall quality.
Weaknesses:
Not really any when used as surrounds in a HT setup.
Review:
These are great surround speakers for Home Theater. As mentioned by others they do seem a little wobbly on the stands, but won’t fall over under normal conditions - I really like the thin look, especially compared to most typical “box-style” surrounds.
Vintage Product
This product is considered a "Recent" or "Vintage" Polk Audio model. It is not a part of our current product lineup. It may still be available in some stores as a "close out" or "used" product. Information provided here about this product may not reflect current realities and does not imply availability. If you happen to have a question or concern about this product, contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-377-7655 M-F 9am - 5:30pm EST. Chances are we remember it.
VM20 Media
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