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As simple as black and white

Playing with small boxes for big sound
by Max Christoffersen

October 2001

Polk RM6200 subwoofer-satellite system. $2398

The complete package - Polk's satellite speakers combined with a 200mm subwoofer

You have to hand it to Mathew Polk. Like Bob Carver and Dr Amar Bose before him, he knows that selling audio is often about selling a name first.

Matthew Polk is the Michael Hill Jeweller of audio. Everywhere you go, you see his face and then you see his speakers.

It’s proven audio marketing. Combine that with a good understanding of different market demands and solid component design and production and chances are you are holding a Polk speaker.

And to give credit where its due, Polk has manufactured some fine products over the years from their multi-driver flagship home theatre system to the ground breaking Ls/Fx surround speaker of the 90s. Based on the performance of this small sub-satellite set Mathew Polk may have another good one on his hands.

And that’s because this sub/sat system addresses one of the major problems of home theatre: bulk. How do you get quality sound without having to have five large expensive speakers capable of providing detail, dynamic punch and seamless imaging? The obvious answer lies in making small speakers that sound like they’re sonically ‘larger’ than they really are.

And these speakers are small. All five direct radiator speakers take up less space than the typical footprint of a DVD player and one can be held in the palm of the hand. They are heavy for their size and beautifully crafted with solid five-way binding posts and two wall mounting options. Permanent grills are attached and the hardwearing plastic cabinet makes for a fine modern looking speaker.

The set is sold as a high performing high ‘value’ speaker system designed for small to mid-size rooms. The tweeter is manufactured of nylon, with one 2 3/4" driver for the satellites (the centre has two mid drivers) while the cabinets are available in black or white (the sub and centre are black only). Separate stands are available for that final modern touch.

In use, the cabinets pass the knuckle-rap test but do vibrate with music or soundtracks so make sure they are well mounted and placed on a solid surface. It’s hard not to think of this set as the designer speaker for the designer home. The design contours and overall package looks so much like the right fit for the home of the 21st century.

The PSW250 subwoofer is a smallish 200mm (8") powered sub, finished in black. It's also available seperately at $899.

Typically even the largest of modern home theatre rooms could use a little more space. And with such small speakers the placement options open up a little as optimum positioning becomes easier when you have only to place a speaker just a little bigger than a CD jewel case.

But convenience is nothing without performance. And size is often a false indicator of actual performance. And if you were thinking big is beautiful then small just can’t be... think again.

I used a range of music and film soundtracks and was impressed with the scale of sound I was hearing. The horizontal centre channel took control of action and speech, but still somehow, the sound and the size of the speaker didn’t seem to equate.

But it was that sense of size all the while looking at such small cabinets with even smaller drivers that kept me interested.

There was abundant top end detail and the ability of the centre channel to take control of the dialogue and make sense out of complex ‘blockbuster’ scenes was a genuine surprise.

It’s difficult to accept there was such audio ‘weight’ coming from something you can hold in your hand, but when used in conjunction with the matching subwoofer a genuine sense of cut and thrust going on with scenes from Babylon Five and the DVD of Batman and Robin. An audio illusion it may be, but it is one that works with ease to create a near seamless integration of bass and top end detail.

This system is likely to meet all the expectations of those seeking an easy cosmetic solution to home theatre. And to be fair, there is a home in every home theatre and these speakers are designed for the home. You may find this set is ideal for a family home theatre experience - they are flat-out-small-box-fun.

Matthew’s Polks are warmly recommended.

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