| Author |
Thread: Polk Audio RM6700 Sub/Sat Home Theater Speaker System Review |
    
Brian Mitchell |
| Posted on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:59 am: |
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Polk Audio RM6700 Sub/Sat Home Theater Speaker System
Big Sound, Small Package
Looking for a home theater speaker system that sounds good and doesn't take up much space? The Polk system delivers big sound from 4 identical tiny satellite speakers the height of a personal checkbook, a small center speaker, and a cubed baby-sized subwoofer (PSW303).
Speakers Are Heard, Not Seen
The tiny satellite speakers almost disappear in your room. This type of system is certain to appeal to those who don't like the look of big box speakers. The satellite speakers can be easily mounted on the wall or placed on stands. The subwoofer is small enough to be discretely hidden in a corner.
I Bet You Can't Tell Them Apart
Here is a test I used to show how well these speakers performed for stereo music. I placed each satellite speaker on top a tall floor standing speaker. Then I placed the Polk sub in one corner, and another sub in the other corner. Of course I only hooked up the Polk equipment. I had multiple people try to guess which speakers were playing. On every occasion, each person was convinced sound was coming from the larger speakers. Nobody could believe the small Polk's w/sub could produce such a soundstage. It demonstrates how the mind automatically equates bigger speakers with better sound.
Subwoofer Needs Help
So my friends were impressed with the sound, but I am a little harder to please. I was impressed with the richness and tonal quality these speakers were able to create. Imaging was also much better than expected. But the bass from the PSW303 subwoofer was boomy for my taste. The subwoofer definitely produced room-filling low-end sound, but it was nowhere near as accurate or tight as the three subwoofers I had just completed a review on. However, I was more pleased with the sub performance for music, than for movies.
Pass On The Action Movies
Now onto movie performance. While the RM6700 performed adequately while watching DVDs, it failed to add jaw-dropping realism to movies. Keep in mind, it's a huge improvement over using your TV speakers. Again, it was really the bass response that was most problematic. The subwoofer was easy to distort if turned up too high, and under normal listening levels sounded more like a radiating hum, than a clean and tight pulsating rhythm.
Center Is Better
The center speaker did perform exceptionally well for it's size. I had been skeptical of small center channel speakers from previous experiences, but voices and dialogue were very clear. Off axis listening was superb, as every seat location sounded good. Also tonal quality across the front stage (left, center, right speakers) was very transparent.
Keep It Low
At moderate listening levels the system performed best when listening to music or watching TV. Start to crank up the volume, and the sound begins to degrade. At high levels the satellites became harsh and bright, but again it was the subwoofer that broke apart on heavy loads.
For Newbies
If you are on a budget and new to home theater, the Polk RM6700 will likely impress you. It is certainly a contender in the sub/sat speaker market. Unfortunately I was not able to test this system head-to-head with any of its competitors after repeatedly contacting other manufacturers. So most of my criticism may not be totally fair, since it is based from more expensive speakers and subwoofers.
Almost Forgot The Setup
Polk Audio recommends connecting the amp’s L&R front speaker outputs to the front speaker level inputs on the subwoofer. Connect the speaker level outputs on the subwoofer to the front L&R satellite speakers. If you find it more convenient, simply parallel wire the front L&R sats and subwoofer to the amp's front L&R output (electrically it is the same thing as the first method). Connect the center and surround satellites directly to the receiver’s center and surround speaker outputs. The "Bass Management" or "Speaker Set-up" function of the Dolby Digital receiver or processor should be set as follows: Front = Large, Center = Small, Surrounds = Small, Subwoofer = No.
Why Pay More?
This system works best in smaller rooms for music or watching TV, as well as non-action type movies. There is no need to spend more if you are using the system more often to watch Sex in the City than Star Wars. However, you can greatly improve the system just by investing in a better subwoofer.
Still Worth a Listen
The RM6700 is worth an audition for it's compact size, big sound, and budget value at $1,099 MSRP.
Polk RM6700 Reviews
Pictures and Features
Polk Audio FAQ & Advice
Specifications
RM6700 SYSTEM
Overall frequency response: 28-24kHz
-3dB limits: 38Hz-20kHz
Recommended Amplification: 20-125 WRMS
Sensitivity: 90dB (2.83 Vrms drive level )
Nominal Impedance: compatible with 8 Ohm outputs
Power Output of Subwoofer (PSW303)
100 Watts Continuous Average
260 Watts Dynamic
Shipping Weight (2 cartons): 42 lbs.
FRONT AND REAR SATELLITES
Midrange driver: 1-1/4" Dynamic Balance® driver, shielded
Tweeter: 1-.3/4" Dynamic Balance Silk/Polymer composite dome, shielded
Crossover: 2.7kHz
Enclosure Type: Vented with rear-mounted Power Port
Dimensions: 4"w x 6.5"h x 5"d
CENTER CHANNEL
Midrange drivers: 2 each 1-1/4" Dynamic Balance® drivers, shielded
Tweeter: 1-.3/4" Dynamic Balance Silk/Polymer composite dome, shielded
Crossover: 2.2kHz
Dimensions: 11-1/4"w x 4-5/16"h x 5-13/16"d
SUBWOOFER (PSW303)
Overall frequency response: 28-180Hz
-3dB limits: 38-160Hz
Crossover: Active 4th order low-pass
Amplifier Power Output: 100 Watts Continuous
Average Power RMS 260 Watts Dynamic
Driver: 1-8" long throw, hi-roll surround
Enclosure Type: bass-reflex with slot-loaded port
Dimensions: 12-7/16"H x 11-7/16"W x 16-1/2"D
http://www.polkaudio.com
Remember I am just one man with one opinion. If you own this product, or have a comment or question feel free to add your thoughts below.
Brian Mitchell
Founder & CEO
eCoustics.com |
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Relevant Product Info
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eCoustics |
| Posted on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 07:13 pm: |
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Crutchfield.com is an authorized online dealer, and has the Polk RM6700 on sale for $899 until Jan 5, 2003. This promotion also includes FREE Sanus Speaker Stands, and a FREE Polk PSW202 subwoofer. Click here to order from Crutchfield! |
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| Posted on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 11:38 pm: |
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Brian,
Thank you very much for the many positive comments in your review of the Polk Audio RM6700 system. I'd like to point out just a few things for the record.
First, I notice that you placed the subwoofer in the corner of the room. In my experience, vented subwoofers tend to exhibit a one-note quality with corner placement. Yes, you'll get more sheer output from any woofer when placed in the corner, but in the case of vented woofers (ported and passive radiator types) at the sacrifice of bass quality. That may help to explain your comment about the "radiating hum" character of the bass. I generally find that vented woofers give better overall performance when placed near a rear wall but at least a few feet from the corner.
Ecoustics readers who are curious about subwoofer positioning and adjustment issues can go to the following URL to read an enlightening article on those topics co-authored by Robert Harley, Richard Hardesty and me. http://www.polkaudio.com/home/faqad/advice.php?category=7&article=subsetup
I'd also like to point out that the satellites and subwoofer of the RM6700 system are packaged and sold separately, giving consumers the opportunity to upgrade to a larger subwoofer should they feel the need for more bass output. The sub tested in the review is the model PSW303, an 8-inch design. We also offer the PSW404 a 10-inch design with a 200 Watt amplifier that would add $120 to the price of the system. Listeners with larger rooms or those who want more impact for action/adventure films, might want to make the step-up. That being said, I think the PSW303 is a great sounding sub for the price and size. I agree with you that you may have been a little spoiled by recently having three larger, more expensive ($549 - $849) subwoofers in your room. Had you had the opportunity to directly compare the Polk system and sub to directly comparable products, I have every confidence that you would have found the Polk sub to be competitive if not superior.
Again, thank you very much for the review opportunity, your positive comments about the performance of the system and for your professionalism.
Paul DiComo
Polk Audio |
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| Posted on Wednesday, December 25, 2002 - 11:05 am: |
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I would like to know the price of Polk Audio 6700
Home Theatre Speaker System! |
R1er |
| Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 06:05 am: |
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have a harman kardon avr525 70wt/7ch receiver. looking for some great speakers(pref. sats)does anyone know how good these two pair up? please let me know. urging to buy some for my rcvr. |
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| Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 11:42 am: |
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R1er,
I also just got the AVR525 (luv it), can you email me offline so I can get your reviews/suggestions/frustrations with the HK.
I have a Boston Acoustics Micro8000 5.1 seaker system running off the HK and PolkRTi38's up front, providing 7.1. Sounds GREAT!
h1pst3r@hotmail.com |
R1er |
| Posted on Friday, December 27, 2002 - 06:17 am: |
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waiting for my polks, but will let you know how it turns out. |
Bruni |
| Posted on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 - 10:21 pm: |
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I bought my Polk RM 6700 for $649 (Front, Sats, and 303 Sub) at ABC Warehouse. |
Anonymous |
| Posted on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 - 10:09 am: |
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what speaker set would you recommend over the Polk RM6700? I have been looking at the Klipsch Synergy 6 also...any opinions on that system?? |
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 - 01:03 pm: |
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I would strongly recommend the M&K (Miller & Kreissel) K-series.
The three K-7s across the front and either K-5 sats or the dipole K-4s as surrounds (K-4s are more pricey though).
The K-7s are $250/ea, the K5s are $150/ea, and then a sub of your choice. Polks are fine, and for $650 that system is pretty good, but you're eaking into professional-land with the M&K.
If you can find a dealer...you really owe it to yourself to listen to some M&Ks. I thought my new RTi38s (back to the dealer) sounded nice until I installed the K-7s this weekend...OH-MY-GAWD!
www.mksound.com (no affil)
-h1pst3r |
J. Arnold |
| Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 01:22 am: |
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Just bought the HK AVR525, and the Polk 6700's with a PSW404 Sub - While it sounds great so far, I want to be sure I am optimizing the sound - The HK allows for crossover settings for fronts, surrounds, and the sub, yet looking at the manual for the Polk's, I do not see the Hz crossover figures stated - any idea what to set the HK settings to? - The default is 100Hz's.
Thanks for any help - ps - I have wired the speakers via Polk's reccomendation, thus turning off the sub at the receiver, running the fronts to sub, then from sub to front speaker inputs on HK. |
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 02:48 pm: |
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If you are wiring your sub using the high level inputs then you are not using the x-over for the fronts, only for the rears and center so the 100 Hz setting is fine.
For anyone considering alternatives Stereophile Guide To Home Theater rates the Energy Take5.2 + S8.2 Sub the best system for the money at $900 including sub or $1100 including bigger sub. |
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| Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 10:52 am: |
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Hey guys! I'm new to home audio. I found the RM6700s at CircuitCity. They sound very good to me! I'm looking at marrying them with a Denon AVR683 5.1 80 wt/chl and a Velodyne vlf-810 125 wt rms. I currently have fairly nice JVC DVD player and a 60" 4/3 rear projection Zenith.
I was just wondering if any of you had any insight on whether this would be a good setup or not.
Thanks!
Danny :-) |
Anonymous |
| Posted on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 02:12 pm: |
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I just bought the Polk 6700's with a PSW404 Sub. The sub hums when the system is off. Is it supposed to do that?
Also, I paid $600 for the 6700's, and $330 for the sub. Does that sound like a reasonable price?
Thanks! |
Anonymous |
| Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 07:49 pm: |
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My Friend just bought the Polk 6700's with the PSW 303 Sub for $599 at Fry's in California. Sub is free in the sale. So it sounds like he got a good deal for the money. Thanks |
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| Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - 09:32 am: |
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Like several others newly annointed to the home theater craze, I am in search of creating the best possible system within my price range. I recently purchased a 46" Sony for my 20x16 room. I am looking to spend roughly $1500 for the speakers, receiver and DVD player. From what I have read, HTIBs are not the way to go. For the receiver, I am leaning towards the Yamaha 5660 ($350 at etronics). As for the speakers, I am overwhelmed with choices and need help. I was leaning towards the Polk RM6700 until reading a less than glowing review when it comes to watching action movies - the purpose of my home theater system. Please advise me as to which speakers and DVD player, for roughly $1100 would work best in a 16x20 room for an intense movie-going experience. The size of the speaker does not bother me (I am not someone who needs large, flashy speakers or tiny, out-of-sight speakers). Lastly, I have not yet bought the Yamaha receiver. If anyone knows of a better one for roughly the same price, please let me know. Thank you. |
Anonymous |
| Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - 11:43 pm: |
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I think you are on the right track with a Yamaha receiver. For a speaker system I would get 5 to 7 matching bookshelf speakers from Athena Technologies (AS-B1 or AS-B2). For the sub, go with the SVS 25-31PCi for $549. This sub will make a huge difference! Also the Sony DVPNS725P DVD Player is a worthy contender for $129 or less. |
New member Username: Danno
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2003
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| Posted on Friday, December 12, 2003 - 03:22 pm: |
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Latest news!
I just got a great deal at Crutchfield. First let me explain my three most important contraints.
1.) Budget
2.) Sound
3.) My wifes approval on inconspicuacy (is that a real word? Did I spell it right?)
Anyway, I have always loved the way the RM6700 set sounded at CircuitCity. But the sound room is smaller than my living room and I was also concerned about having a whole in my tonal range.
I already own a Velodyne VLH 1012 I got a while back for around $400. It's just terriffic!!! Right now it is mated to a low end mini 60x60W AIWA system with artificial suround effects. They have "ok" base response at moderate volumes. I've been afraid of getting front and center speakers with not enough base to reach down and touch that Magnificent VLH! So I decide to look at floor standing fronts and a normal sized center. However, under the budget factor the floor standing speakers are kinda pushing the envelope even the cheap R30 and R50. But after reading the above posts, I decided to look more seriously at the bookshelf speakers. CircuitCity had a sale on R15s. So I went to listen. They were ok. The R20s were a little better and a lot more exspensive. BUT, the RTi28s ROCKED! That's when I new those babies were gonna be mine. The saleman told me those were the last pair and that they were not getting anymore. So I bought them for $225 including the 10 year warrenty. Then I started looking around and found a set of new ones at J&R Music for around $175 including delivery. So I took the RTis back to CC and did some more investigating online. I discovered that Crutchfield had a Polk Audio sale going on which when I added the center CSi30, three RM2350s (these are the sats for the RM6700), and a pair of RTi28s, I got a $200 discount. That's right a pair of RTi28s for NOTHIN'!!! 8-) Total cost of all the Polks came to $509! They are suppose to arive today!!! 8-D
Now I wil just need some sat mounts, bookshelf stands, cables and a nice reciever. Currently, I am looking at the Denon AVR-1604. I'm thinking that will suit my needs.
Please let me know if you guys have any advise or see something I'm missing.
Thanks!
Danno :-) |
New member Username: Mdavey
Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2004
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| Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 03:27 am: |
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Danno,
Did you buy the Denon 1604 ? I too am considering it and would like your feedback incase you have bought it. |
New member Username: Danno
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2003
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| Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 12:21 am: |
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I did! :-)
I like it! But I don't have a whole lot of experience with receivers. This is my first Hi-Fi AVR. It works very nicely with my setup. It has plenty of power. I keep the display db between -15 and 0 depending on what I'm using it for. At 0 the whole house shakes. 'Course this has a lot to do with the sub. But I am very conservative with my sub. I don't like it too boomy. The Denon is also very quiet even when turned way up.
What are you comparing it to?
I got mine for a heck of a deal. Tweeters.com had it mispriced at $299 (sug. retail $399). So I printed out the price and went down to the local Tweeters in Huntsville AL. They called the head quarters I guess to find out if my print out was legit. And so they had to honor the miss priced advertisement. I noticed about a day or two later, the web price had gone back up to $399.
Anyway, I recomend this AVR. I think it's pretty good! :-D |
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