Another speaker for y'all, this time the new Polk L200. This set of measurements is incomplete compared to some of my other ones as I haven't had the opportunity to run vertical measurements yet, because vertical measurements are a pain in the butt.
Still, I thought I'd share as I likely won't be able to perform the other measurements for a while what with the holidays and such.
Without further ado:
Measured at 1m, gated at 6.5ms. Polk doesn't give a recommended ear height, so I measured on the tweeter axis. Bass response is measured nearfield and spliced at 330 Hz, compensated for baffle step using Jeff Bagby's Baffle Diffraction and Boundary Simulator.
Another speaker with an impressively flat on-axis performance, yet it goes to show the importance of directivity that it still sounds quite distinct from the other flattish speakers I've measured recently. Things to note:
I'll update this thread with vertical measurements when I have them.
Edit: That said, it's worth noting Polk's old flagship bookshelf, the LSiM703, can be had for $600 a pair new nowadays, and those already measured very well (Soundstage Network, Stereophile). I haven't heard those, so I can only judge by available measurements, but the L200 seems more of a case of 'different' than obviously better. Still, I think the L200 hold up nicely among the upper echelon in their price range.
Still, I thought I'd share as I likely won't be able to perform the other measurements for a while what with the holidays and such.
Without further ado:
Measured at 1m, gated at 6.5ms. Polk doesn't give a recommended ear height, so I measured on the tweeter axis. Bass response is measured nearfield and spliced at 330 Hz, compensated for baffle step using Jeff Bagby's Baffle Diffraction and Boundary Simulator.
Another speaker with an impressively flat on-axis performance, yet it goes to show the importance of directivity that it still sounds quite distinct from the other flattish speakers I've measured recently. Things to note:
- Nice and wide response to 5K, if a bit messy, after which the response drops precipitously
- There's some bunching around 3-4Khz until 60-75 degrees off axis. I noticed the speaker has somewhat forward sound without being bright; this hump is probably why.
- Treble is quite smooth on axis. Feels like just the right balance in my room. I do not think it will offend anyone, though the L200 may not the right choice for a very dead room.
- Again, note that the response drops super steeply in the last couple of octaves; this is a speaker that sounds best almost completely toed in towards the listening position, otherwise it could be a little dull. I'd say 0-10 degrees off axis is ideal.
- Note the listening window only includes horizontal data, so take caution when comparing against my other measurements. I expect the hump around 3k to be reduced a small bit with some vertical data due to the crossover at 2,600 hz. There will likely be a dip there due to the crossover, but this just my guess for now. Again, vocals strike me as slightly forward, but overall timbre is still in the realm of neutral.
- Bass is one of my favorite things about this speaker. It's very linear, before rolling off steeply after 50Hz or so. It sounds 'tight' or 'clean' and seems to be just the right amount with my space/placement, although it doesn't extend quite as low as say the KEF R3 or Buchardt S400.
- Conversely, I found it easier to integrate with my sub, though i don't know if that means much.
- Polk's weird port setup might help here, but it also probably helps that it doesn't have the 80hz-ish bump many bookshelves exhibit. This is a speaker that's okay being fairly close to the walls, as I suspect most people will use them.
- There's appears to be a significant resonance at 550 hz - the peak forming off axis there which remains all the way out to 180 degrees.
- They're not particularly sensitive speakers, but dynamics and transients strike me as excellent.
- Soundstage is great in my setup. Balances spaciousness with focus nicely, and I noticed a sense of height too. A bit more spacious/wider than the Buchardt S400, a bit less focused (sighted impressions during a brief very unscientific comparison, so take that with a grain of salt). Takes some care in positioning though.
I'll update this thread with vertical measurements when I have them.
Edit: That said, it's worth noting Polk's old flagship bookshelf, the LSiM703, can be had for $600 a pair new nowadays, and those already measured very well (Soundstage Network, Stereophile). I haven't heard those, so I can only judge by available measurements, but the L200 seems more of a case of 'different' than obviously better. Still, I think the L200 hold up nicely among the upper echelon in their price range.
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