Polk R500 Tower Speaker measurements and review by Erin's Audio Corner

[thewas]

Video review:

Written review with more data and subjective evaluation:

Polk Audio R500 Tower Speaker Review

Polk Audio R500

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[norman bates]

hmmmmmmmm.

I think a tmm is a hard sell nowadays, especially dual 5.25" drivers, at least compared to their less expensive, smaller r200 (a 6.5" 2-way), or even their r600 (tmm with 2 x 6.5").

On axis, the r500 looks good.

 

[Penelinfi]

Widening upper mid/low treble plus IMD at 1k may give "airy kids" but slight smearing at the same time. At least when turned up.

Seems fine otherwise.

 

[Beave]

That dip around 150-160Hz looks to be a significant cabinet resonance (right?). I'm surprised Erin didn't hear anything amiss there. Otherwise, looks pretty good for a not-crazy-expensive tower.

 

[norman bates]

"but there is also a strong resonance in the cabinet due to the height and that actually brings down the mid-base area" (@6:01+)

"you can see that I highlighted this cabinet resonance right here around 160 170 Herz or so" (@7:07+)

 

[Beave]

Ha, thanks. Stupid me, I only read his written account. I didn't watch his video.

 

[kemmler3D]

All in all looks fairly decent for the money, can be had for around $1100/pr if you find a refurb.

 

[thewas]

The resonance around 150 Hz can be found in many floorstanders, being due the standing wave inside the cabinet in the long dimension, some counteract it with extra padding or a Helmholtz resonator in the middle or separating the internal volume to the woofers.

 

[norman bates]

perhaps it is so "column" like that the dip is measurable.
10.1" x 13.7" x 41.1"
or
255mm x 348mm x 1044mm

maybe the square area versus length brings out the resonance....
or when 2nd longest dimension is only 1/3 or the longest dimension, maybe.

I always try for 1 : 1.618 ratios.