Polk R500 worthy upgrade to Elac DBR62?

[ninetylol]

Hey all, wanted to hear your opinion on the matter. I think both speakers are great, the question is are the Polk Reserve R500 actually a 'upgrade' or just a 'sidegrade' to the DBR62?

There are measurements for both

Easily compare loudspeakers measurements

www.spinorama.org

Amir also reviewed the DBR62

I do have the possibility to EQ but prefer to use no sub.

Any input is appreciated!

 

[delta76]

no sub and with space? R500 hands down. Bookshelves can't really compete with tower in term of SPL and bass extension. (of course we have good bookshelves and bad tower, but generally)

 

[Power Pop 23]

Hey all, wanted to hear your opinion on the matter. I think both speakers are great, the question is are the Polk Reserve R500 actually a 'upgrade' or just a 'sidegrade' to the DBR62?

There are measurements for both

Easily compare loudspeakers measurements

www.spinorama.org

Amir also reviewed the DBR62

I do have the possibility to EQ but prefer to use no sub.

Any input is appreciated!

I can't speak to the Polk Reserve R500. I own and use (each with Dirac) the ELAC DBR62 and the Polk Signature Elite ES60 loudspeakers. I prefer the Polk ES60. I perceive a 'halo' of sound from the Polk ES60 and a larger image compared to the ELAC DBR62

 

[ninetylol]

I can't speak to the Polk Reserve R500. I own and use (each with Dirac) the ELAC DBR62 and the Polk Signature Elite ES60 loudspeakers. I prefer the Polk ES60. I perceive a 'halo' of sound from the Polk ES60 and a larger image compared to the ELAC DBR62

I actually owned the ES60 and found them pretty awesome just a bit muddy. I didnt have any measurement mic or EQ back then. Probably could have fixed the negatives of the ES60.

 

[staticV3]

The R500 will play deeper and slightly cleaner bass, and I think would therefore be an upgrade.

However, it's got a pretty narrow sweet spot.

For a budget tower, I'd instead look into KEF, Revel, Emotiva, or Infinity.

 

[ninetylol]

The R500 will play deeper and slightly cleaner bass, and I think would therefore be an upgrade.

However, it's got a pretty narrow sweet spot.

For a budget tower, I'd instead look into KEF, Revel, Emotiva, or Infinity.

Thats true, noticed the same.

The thing is i can get a pair of R500 for 560€, while a Revel or KEF pair would cost several thousands.

 

[staticV3]

Thats true, noticed the same.

The thing is i can get a pair of R500 for 560€, while a Revel or KEF pair would cost several thousands.

That price is hard to beat!

The T2+ may be worth a look:

Factory Renewed Airmotiv T2+ Pair Floorstanding Tower Loudspeakers

Welcome to Emotiva Audio Corporation. Home Audio Systems, Speakers & Accessories and more. We use science to evoke the true emotion behind every note.

emotiva.com

Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ Tower Speaker Review

Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[delta76]

That price is hard to beat!

The T2+ may be worth a look:

Factory Renewed Airmotiv T2+ Pair Floorstanding Tower Loudspeakers

Welcome to Emotiva Audio Corporation. Home Audio Systems, Speakers & Accessories and more. We use science to evoke the true emotion behind every note.

emotiva.com

Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ Tower Speaker Review

Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

yeah one of the benefit of EU members, especially in France, we have some unbeatable prices on some on the speakers
looks like a great choice, was pref score calculated? P/S: seems to be out of stock/discontinued everywhere

 

[vert]

I'm pondering a similar decision and long term, towers seem the better choice compared to upgraded bookshelves. Although some prefer bookshelves + sub to towers. I'm not clear about that as of yet, will need to do more "research".
I saw that Elac has the DFR52 towers in the same series as your speakers. Also, some affordable Revels have been tested here - but the problem with Revels is finding them.

​

 

[ninetylol]

I'm pondering a similar decision and long term, towers seem the better choice compared to upgraded bookshelves. Although some prefer bookshelves + sub to towers. I'm not clear about that as of yet, will need to do more "research".
I saw that Elac has the DFR52 towers in the same series as your speakers. Also, some affordable Revels have been tested here - but the problem with Revels is finding them.

​

The dfr52 actually seems worse than the DBR62.

And cant really find revels in europe

 

[delta76]

The dfr52 actually seems worse than the DBR62.

And cant really find revels in europe

Yeah speakers are heavy and bulky, and you have to have crazy markup if you want to access the distribution network. For that only bigger players are present worldwide

 

[Everett T]

Thats true, noticed the same.

The thing is i can get a pair of R500 for 560€, while a Revel or KEF pair would cost several thousands.

You should be able to get these at a good discount over the pond, and would serve you better than the r500.

HECO Aurora 1000 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review

The German made Heco Aurora 1000 floor-standing speakers ($799/ea) were put through the wringer with our in depth measurement testing and yielded surprising results. Are these the speakers to get?

www.audioholics.com

 

[ninetylol]

You should be able to get these at a good discount over the pond, and would serve you better than the r500.

HECO Aurora 1000 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review

The German made Heco Aurora 1000 floor-standing speakers ($799/ea) were put through the wringer with our in depth measurement testing and yielded surprising results. Are these the speakers to get?

www.audioholics.com

For double the price, yeah

 

[Everett T]

For double the price, yeah

If you noted my post about pricing they're constantly sold here for under $550ea, and the 700 version goes for $400 and under each. The R500 goes for $649 *each" before discounts so I'm pretty sure these are inline with the pricing you're looking at, unless they're used.

 

[ninetylol]

If you noted my post about pricing they're constantly sold here for under $550ea, and the 700 version goes for $400 and under each. The R500 goes for $649 *each" before discounts so I'm pretty sure these are inline with the pricing you're looking at, unless they're used.

thats true, but in my case i can get the Polk R500 for 550 a pair. The Aurora 1000 looks interesting though, if it was the same price I would be tempted.

 

[Deleted member 68267]

The R500 will play deeper and slightly cleaner bass, and I think would therefore be an upgrade.

However, it's got a pretty narrow sweet spot.

For a budget tower, I'd instead look into KEF, Revel, Emotiva, or Infinity.

Hi there!
Would you happen to know if the R700 also has a narrow sweet spot?
I am reading James Larson's review and measurements on Audioholics but I'm still learning to read graphics - I think the polar map shows sth like 40 degress aroung 1Khz? would that be ok-ish?

Polk Reserve R700 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review

In our in-depth review of Polk Audio's Reserve R700 tower speakers, we look at just how much of the performance of the stellar Legend series has trickled down to the more affordable Reserve series.

www.audioholics.com

Sorry if this is a bit off topic, thereason I am asking is that I just found an offer on the R700 for 1500€/pair and had been searching for a good pair of towers for a while.
Thanks in advance

 

[tw 2022]

Hi there!
Would you happen to know if the R700 also has a narrow sweet spot?
I am reading James Larson's review and measurements on Audioholics but I'm still learning to read graphics - I think the polar map shows sth like 40 degress aroung 1Khz? would that be ok-ish?

Polk Reserve R700 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review

In our in-depth review of Polk Audio's Reserve R700 tower speakers, we look at just how much of the performance of the stellar Legend series has trickled down to the more affordable Reserve series.

www.audioholics.com

Sorry if this is a bit off topic, thereason I am asking is that I just found an offer on the R700 for 1500€/pair and had been searching for a good pair of towers for a while.
Thanks in advance

the r lineup, and frankly the L lineup as well will have "beaming"in the upper frequencies that will affect the soundstage .. it's due to the tweeter...

 

[Deleted member 68267]

the r lineup, and frankly the L lineup as well will have "beaming"in the upper frequencies that will affect the soundstage .. it's due to the tweeter...

I am sorry, I don't really understand... what are the R and L lineups?
Thanks for your response

 

[ninetylol]

I am sorry, I don't really understand... what are the R and L lineups?
Thanks for your response

Reserve and Legendary

 

[Deleted member 68267]

Reserve and Legendary

I see