Speakers Reviews

My home theater includes the following: Polk CSi30 center, Polk RT800i mains, Polk f/x30 surrounds, Polk psw-650 sub. I use a Kenwood vr-6070 6.1 100watt per channel amp, and could not be happier with the setup. Until recently I used a CS175i for the center and it sounded good. However, it was not until I replaced it with the CSi30 that I realized the full potential of the system. The CSi30 really brought the movie sound track to life with a full rich frequency range that was lacking with the CS175i. I recommend the CSi30 for any serious audiophile.

You can't find another high quality/performance in this price range... you get a reputable speaker at a reasonable price. The quality and clarity are superb!

These speakers are top rate in sound quality! I use them for classical music and I find the mid to high frequencies to be excellent. As with all speakers this size, however, a subwoofer is necessary if you want the full range of bass to really rumble.

Compared to the sound quality of the mid-quality speakers from Polk Audio, the RTi4s are superior. Well worth the extra cost if you're a music lover.

The Polk RTi4 speakers are a great set of bookshelfs at a decent price. These are very good speakers for a good quality, mid-range surround sound system. The high's are great, the mid's are great, and the lows are pretty decent. The low range is pretty bad, but since most people add a subwoofer to their audio systems any more, it doesn't matter much. They sound great and have lots of power. These speakers can handle alot. Also, they look great. With or without the cover on, they look excellent. Everything sounds good on these speakers. Any kind of music, movies, or games, these speakers rock hard. I have these hooked up to my Pioneer VSX-812D. I plan on buying a pair of RTi6's and moving the RTi4's to the surrounds. I'd then like to round it off with a CSi5 and PW404. This is the first time I've tried Polk speakers, and I'm VERY pleased with the quality of the RTi4's.. especially for the price.

Polycom makes a full range of conference room phones, and the Soundstation Premier is their best phone. If your needs don't justify the price of the best, then consider the plain, old Soundstation (sans Premier). Or if you have special Voice over IP needs, then check out their seperate Soundpoint IP and Soundstation IP product lines.

Are you wondering what makes the Soundstation Premier the best? Let me explain. This system uses any where from 3 to 6 mics; 3 mics are built into the base station, and depending on your configuration you can add 2 extension mics plus a remote mic. What is special is that the unit only uses one mic at a time by sensing which mic is picking up the best sound; this avoids that hollow, echo sounds that you've heard many times before on speakerphone calls.

The system also features noise canceling circuitry, so many background noises are removed. Plus it is expandable with additional mics, a remote lapel mic, and even a remote speaker station. There are other niceities including an LCD display on the base unit, but in my opinion the reason to spend the extra dollars in this unit is the quality of sound. Simply put, it is spectacular.

There are a few different Premier models, each one uses the same basic base unit. The Premier EX is expandable with additional mics, and the Premier is not, so plan accordingly. Select the unit most appropriate for your conference room setting (their web site has very nice guidelines on it). In my experience, the base unit is adequate for most 8-12 person conference rooms, and larger rooms require the extension mics. I have never used the remote lapel mic or the remote speaker setup.

I have tried a variety of cheaper conference room speaker phones but nothing comes anywhere close to the performance of the SoundStation. The sound quality is excellent, there is no distortion and the self directing mics work like a real charm. If you can afford it, just go for this one ... it is well worth the money!

This is great pair of speaker stands for mid sized bookshelf speakers. IMHO, they'd look big for small satelites like Bose or Klipsch Quintet. I'm using them for my Polk RTi4 but from the construction, I'm sure it'll handle the RTi6 just fine. Sanus rates the stands for up to 25lbs.

PROs
- Nice solid steel construction with a heavy base for stability and powder coated (much better than regular paint)
- 2 sets of top plates are provided so you can pick the best fit for your speakers or even swap them if you get new speakers of a different size
- Smaller base footprint compared to similar stands
- 3-point claw base helps further isolate plus you can run the speaker wires under them for a neat setup
- Speaker cable can run inside the tube
- Top plates are very slim but strong
- Very easy assembly (2 screws and a few isolation pads, spikes/studs are provided but optional for use)
- Fantastic value for the price (at least from Amazon)

CONs
- Limited adjustability of the spikes (only matters if you're using them to "level" the stand on thicker carpets)
- Top plate isolation pads are very tiny and thin. Not sure if they'll last.

For the price you're paying at amazon (~50 w/ free shipping), it doesn't get better than this.

These are very solid, high quality stands with an attractive black epoxy finish. The bases appear to be cast iron and are very heavy. The columns are hollow and constructed to hide the speaker wires. I have a pair of Wharfedale Super 7's in the Rosewood finish sitting on them and they isolate the speakers very well.

For 10 years, I had been using my home theatre in what is known as Dolby Pro Logic "phantom" mode and no subwoofer. Phantom mode means no center channel speaker was being used. Last week, I got an Infinity center channel and Velodyne's CHT-12 subwoofer. The addition of the Infinity was good, but Velodyne's CHT-12 subwoofer is absolutely awesome! Movies sound much better and I can now feel what was meant to be felt. I'm in the process of watching all my DVD's again to hear what I've been missing. Purchasing a Velodyne is something I should have done 10 years ago.

This Sub is just plain awesome, I am using it with a set of Polk Audio RM 6600 satelites. It Produces a deep rumble and with the volume half way, my neighbors complain.

I have been listening to the Diamond Center Channel speaker for several weeks and have been very pleased with it's performance. Excellent voice reproduction with television and DVD's. What has been really suprising is it's performance with music. I listen to classical, country, rock and folk music. Excellent clarity, no distortion or muddiness with these genres. Even opera, which I think is a real challenge, was accurately reproduced. My only criticism is the somewhat large, boxy appearance. Otherwise an excellent value for the price.

This Brit rocks. The most popular of all British speakers for a good reason. The quality for the money you spend cannot be beat. I got an awesome deal on Amazon ... They go for [more] now but it's still definitely worth it. The clarity and tightness of the sound is truly a thing to marvel. Play your receiver at a higher volume and there is no noticeable distortion or harshness of sound. It's smooth and genuine. The only minor issue is its size and lack of beautiful design lines. But as far as functionality goes, there's nothing to beat it.

I have been listening to the Diamond Center Channel speaker for several weeks and have been very pleased with it's performance. Excellent voice reproduction with television and DVD's. What has been really suprising is it's performance with music. I listen to classical, country, rock and folk music. Excellent clarity, no distortion or muddiness with these genres. Even opera, which I think is a real challenge, was accurately reproduced. My only criticism is the somewhat large, boxy appearance. Otherwise an excellent value for the price.

This Brit rocks. The most popular of all British speakers for a good reason. The quality for the money you spend cannot be beat. I got an awesome deal on Amazon ... They go for [more] now but it's still definitely worth it. The clarity and tightness of the sound is truly a thing to marvel. Play your receiver at a higher volume and there is no noticeable distortion or harshness of sound. It's smooth and genuine. The only minor issue is its size and lack of beautiful design lines. But as far as functionality goes, there's nothing to beat it.

Wharfedale's Emerald 99 speakers are manufactured in China. So what, I say! Infiniti and Lexus automobiles originated in Asia, too. Yes, the Emerald 99 can be equated to an Infiniti or Lexus car. Used in combination with quality components -- you will not be disappointed! Let's start with the interconnects. This is the cable that connects your CD player with your receiver or amplifier. I'm using one meter Monster Z100i cables. Purchased at Circuit City these cables set me back...Yes, this is comparatively expensive "wire"...The Monster cable provides an analog broadband connection between my HK 3470 receiver (100 watts per channel @ 8 ohms) and a Sony ES CD player. The resulting sound quality resonating through my Emerald 99's is wonderful!! But wait there is more to this story. I'm also using Audioquest gold plated (Python) jumpers connecting the pre-amp to the amp...I was able to replace the original factory equipment (OEM) nickel jumpers and the improvement in resolution is several shades of gray. Finally, I bi-wired the Emerald 99's with 12 gauge Monster 10 ft. speaker cables. Consequently, I'm able to "thoroughly enjoy" my Emerald 99's. The resolution is both full and equally delicate. I can easily discern cymbals from drums, a clarinet from a trombone. Music is reproduced with faithful neutrality from top to bottom octaves. A delightful "airiness" radiates from the 99's analogous to a live concert. Jazz such as Maynard Ferguson's Big Band and/or Joe Sample and The Crusaders is reproduced with authentic, "punchy", realism. Matching the Emerald 99's with quality components is vital to maximizing an overall qualitative improvement in sound. Yes, it gets expensive!! Nevertheless, for true audiophiles like myself a few extra dollars is a "small sum" to pay...Wharfedale is distributed by IAG America located outside of Boston, Mass. Their customer service is excellent and easy to deal with. Issues are efficiently resolved "beyond your satisfaction". No, I don't work for IAG America. However, I've called them on several occassions and found the experience very satisfactory. A three (3) year warranty provides added security. Finally, don't wait to find Wharfedale Emerald 99's in a big box department store like Best Buy or Tweeter. These stores don't carry Wharfedale. Go ahead -- buy the speakers with confidence today! They're packaged and shipped securely. Enhanced with quality components yields excellent results. I'm more than pleased. REALLY!

Curiously, Wharfedale begins with a transparent system that they turn into something best suited to loud rock for people whose exposure to live performances made them deaf. For listeners who do not like to hear cello solos with accompaniment from two violins and a viola, plugging the ports with some of the styrofoam packaging corrects the bass heaviness without muffling the sound. These systems become transparent, flat speakers, utterly devoid of qualities that call attention to themselves. By using multiple, overlapping speakers of one size, Wharfedale towers present pedal tones with well proportioned upper partials, the result being a clarity and unity of sound not associated with ported systems. Closing the ports creates infinte baffling, which tames an otherwise distracting bass. Still, one must acknowledge the intelligence of the design's providing an isolated chamber sized to recreate the resonances that distinguish excellent accoustics from ordinary accoustics. Wharfedale's literature refers to their testing each speaker to ensure that it does what the cabinet is designed for.
Given the quality of the design, the effectiveness of closing the sports is unexpected. The objective was to tame the bass, not to distort it. This minor modification of the speaker worked better than adding an equalizer, for my taste. The point is merely that the speakers are flexible. Whether Mahler's symphonies or Beethoven's last quartets, familiar music becomes fresh.
By way of example, the Canadian Brass' tuba player, who seems never to have learned that what he does with his instrument is impossible, creates notes that are clear as those from the trumpets. I do not think a person who wants to hear music rather than speakers can improve on Wharfedale's larger systems, other than by closing the ports.

Once again Amazon.com has introduced to consumers a high quality product at a great value. These surround sound speakers are replacing large Sony bookshelf speakers that I was using as my rear surrounds in a home theater setup. These little speakers are an excellent choice if you don't want floorstanding speakers or large sized bookshelf speakers taking up lots of space in your den or living room. We hung these 6 ohm Wharfedales on our wall at ear level on each side of the couch and the sound simply comes alive. These handsome speakers are heavy, well made (real wood!), and have the power to generate wonderful surround effects (120 watts). By the way, the midrange/bass speakers are 4 inches, not 6.75 inches as described here.

I ordered these on a whim and they have become my favorite rear channel speakers, replacing two much more expensive pairs. Their build quality is very, very good, and they are nicely finished. Sound quality is excellent. I highly suggest you try these if you can find them.

Great sounding sub for a modest home theater/listening area. The sound is smooth but powerful given the relatively small enclosure. Will it's volume break windows? Probably not. But then if you value your hearing you wouldn't want this one! Yamaha incorporated some pretty spiffy technology into it. If you're looking for a sub that smoothly blends into your "sonic environment" this might be the one. The front mounted controls are a great convenience feature-only wish the cutoff and volume knobs were a little larger and more substantial. Easy and straight forward hookup for either speaker or line level. Might hook up another-one for each stereo channel! This sub's a winner!

Don't let the small size fool you. This is a very nice sub. It sounds good with music as well as movies and brings a whole new dimension to my listening experience. Only discrepency I have is that the Yamaha website rates it at 150 watts, but I have seen it other places on the internet at 120 also!!??