Polk Signature Elite ES20 Review (Bookshelf Speaker)

[ShadowBoxer]

two questions please 1 How do you think these will pair with denon avr3800 and 2 which in ceiling speakers would pair well ??

The 3800 should pair well with most anything. Look for something that uses the same tweeter, if possible.

 

[mhardy6647]

How does everyone rate these for side surrounds? Deciding between these, the KEF Q150 and Ascend HTM-200SE to go with my JBL HDI fronts/center. All currently go for around the same price (~$350/pair)

I'd rate them kind of large for surround use, FWIW.

 

[nitro230]

I'd rate them kind of large for surround use, FWIW.

Yeah, I now have it down to either the Polk ES15, Ascend HTM-200SE, JBL Stage 240 or 250B or a $350 sale price on a JBL Studio 610 (but color doesn’t match). Might see what Black Friday deals bring and decide then.

 

[mhardy6647]

Yeah, I now have it down to either the Polk ES15, Ascend HTM-200SE, JBL Stage 240 or 250B or a $350 sale price on a JBL Studio 610 (but color doesn’t match). Might see what Black Friday deals bring and decide then.

I would think that timbre-matching (not to get too audiophile!) is important. Simply (and objectively put), I would think that similar frequency response curves of the surrounds vis-a-vis the mains will probably give the best results.

 

[panblue43]

Hello!
During time I could try some loudspeakers but for now I stayed at the ES20.Why?
The evo 4.2s are not easy to positioning and in my case I have fixed dressers so not space and possibility to use stands.
If I choose the evos the tweeters will be over the listening line about 50-60 cms,it is not good.
I tried a B&W 606 s2 (on half price,almost brand new) but it was too harsh,I like trebles and in my room needed because of
overdaping but not this way.
I know the R200 are in another league it is not question but not my taste.I missed the "coloring" and also positioning problems
as the evo 4.2s.+I think not better as double as the price and sounding of the es20.
I know it is not easy,the hi-fi taste is so subjective,and the possibilities are also different:
as I wrote: 1. I cant use stands - the es20 the first ls what works great also on dresser furniture.
2.Because of the 1st point and the rear wall is about 15 cms the power port makes good job - the bass is not unarcitulated or
humming - and on higher volume no port noises etc.I like it so much!
3.I listen mixed movies and music.If I only listen to music I would have stayed at my wharfedale 11.2s.Lovely for music but not for movies.
4.If I only use the Ls for movies I would have stayed at my Heco elementa 300s.They were best for movies but a crap for music.
And Yes,the size is also a point of wiew: the Wilson Classic I think is a good ls but very big,I think they needed minimum a 30 sqm - vs my room is about 19.
What a pity - the wilsons now on half price because of "black friday" about 430 euros/pair!!!
A last "player" remained: the Monitor Audio silver 100 7g - it is also on excellent price now: 630 eurs / pair (in nature colour) but I am afraid of that I do not like MAs sound so much because I like really warm sounding with a little bit glitter at treble and I heard several monitor audios: they were "cold" for me and unbalanced tone.
And yes..also rear ported...

 

[kurcatovium]

Hello, I need new speakers for my TV setup, budget oriented. I was looking mainly at these Polk ES20 or Elac Debut B6.2, both going for roughly the same price at my region (eastern EU). I was leaning slightly towards Polk, but Elac is currently on sale with one dealer, making it 20% cheaper than Polk. It's going to be used mostly for TV (& youtube), less so for online radio. If there's music, it's usually rock based. Thank you very much.

I have Kef Q1 currently, which sounded ok to me, but one speaker is starting to rattle and the other ones tweeter is virtually dead. Fed by Pioneer receiver, probably going to change it for Wiim Amp or Amp Pro in foreseeable future.

 

[Power Pop 23]

I vote for buying the Polk ES20. IIRC, Amir found flaws in measuring the Polk ES20 and ELAC Debut B6.2 and the flaws of the Polk ES20 were 'more amenable' to correction via Parametric EQ. A WiiM Amp or WiiM Amp Pro can apply Parametric EQ and should work well the Polk ES20.

 

[staticV3]

Hello, I need new speakers for my TV setup, budget oriented. I was looking mainly at these Polk ES20 or Elac Debut B6.2, both going for roughly the same price at my region (eastern EU). I was leaning slightly towards Polk, but Elac is currently on sale with one dealer, making it 20% cheaper than Polk. It's going to be used mostly for TV (& youtube), less so for online radio. If there's music, it's usually rock based. Thank you very much.

I have Kef Q1 currently, which sounded ok to me, but one speaker is starting to rattle and the other ones tweeter is virtually dead. Fed by Pioneer receiver, probably going to change it for Wiim Amp or Amp Pro in foreseeable future.

Consider a WiiM Pro + Active monitors instead.

What's the price of the ES20 and B6.2 in eastern EU currently?

 

[wandulus]

Hello, I need new speakers for my TV setup, budget oriented. I was looking mainly at these Polk ES20 or Elac Debut B6.2, both going for roughly the same price at my region (eastern EU). I was leaning slightly towards Polk, but Elac is currently on sale with one dealer, making it 20% cheaper than Polk. It's going to be used mostly for TV (& youtube), less so for online radio. If there's music, it's usually rock based. Thank you very much.

I have Kef Q1 currently, which sounded ok to me, but one speaker is starting to rattle and the other ones tweeter is virtually dead. Fed by Pioneer receiver, probably going to change it for Wiim Amp or Amp Pro in foreseeable future.

I was on the same boat for bedroom, also based in EU. I ended with Polks ES10 + Kanto Sub8 + Wiim Amp. I went for the ES10 over the ES20 as my idea was to have a subwoofer supporting them, and Wiim Amp made that (plus room correction) seamless.
Happy for the results, As high SPL or really critical listening is not on the table.

 

[kurcatovium]

Consider a WiiM Pro + Active monitors instead.

What's the price of the ES20 and B6.2 in eastern EU currently?

I want to use HDMI CEC + ARC, so the setup automatically turns on&off with the TV. It does with the Pioneer I have and it's a blessing.

As for the price:

• Polk's cheapest official online price is roughly equivalent of 270€ / $285. I have a customer discount in (the biggest) store in my country, making it 240€ / $250.
• Elac is officially quite a bit more expensive with price around 350€ / $370 mark. The store I mentioned offers me the same price as the Polk (240€ / $250). But on top of it, they currently have a coupon to another 20% off, making it about 190€ / $200.

(Just a note, probably for US audience, those prices are final with all taxes included.)

I vote for buying the Polk ES20. IIRC, Amir found flaws in measuring the Polk ES20 and ELAC Debut B6.2 and the flaws of the Polk ES20 were 'more amenable' to correction via Parametric EQ. A WiiM Amp or WiiM Amp Pro can apply Parametric EQ and should work well the Polk ES20.

I'm aware of the B6.2 review, I read it as they're not entirely bad speakers whose biggest problem is they're just too bright? To be honest I'm either very brightness tolerant or totally deaf from playing in a garage band for years. I'm using Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro which plenty of people consider far too bright, but they sound OK to me.

I was on the same boat for bedroom, also based in EU. I ended with Polks ES10 + Kanto Sub8 + Wiim Amp. I went for the ES10 over the ES20 as my idea was to have a subwoofer supporting them, and Wiim Amp made that (plus room correction) seamless.
Happy for the results, As high SPL or really critical listening is not on the table.

I don't really have a room for sub, so bigger speakers are needed. Glad you're happy with Polks.

 

[RCS]

I had both the Elac B6.2 and ES20. Sold the B6.2's and still have the ES20's. I liked the ES20's low and low mid sound better than the Elac 6.2's.

Amir's EQ was an easy upgrade to the ES20's with my Wiim. They sounded good before and a bit better with the EQ to me.

You can listen to your wallet, but if possible, it's best to listen to both before you buy and see what your ears like.

 

[staticV3]

Amir's EQ was an easy upgrade to the ES20's with my Wiim. They sounded good before and a bit better with the EQ to me.

Give these a try as well:

Polk Signature Elite ES20 Review (Bookshelf Speaker)

I wonder if the problem with the brightness is the HF or the 1-3 kHz dip?

www.audiosciencereview.com

Measurements for speaker Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20

www.spinorama.org

("Data & EQ" tab)

They're more precise applications of EQ.

Edit:
Just saw that Maiky's presets both use a high-pass filter with Q factor, which WiiM may or may not support.

 

[kurcatovium]

I had both the Elac B6.2 and ES20. Sold the B6.2's and still have the ES20's. I liked the ES20's low and low mid sound better than the Elac 6.2's.

Amir's EQ was an easy upgrade to the ES20's with my Wiim. They sounded good before and a bit better with the EQ to me.

You can listen to your wallet, but if possible, it's best to listen to both before you buy and see what your ears like.

Well, my wallet and myself being a cheapskate decided it for me (for now). The deal for Elacs was just too good to pass. Prices here are often pretty ridiculous, so this discounted price is actually cheaper than some offers I found on second hand market. Plus there's quite generous 14 day trial period when buying online, so if I found I don't like them I can simply return them in those two weeks after delivery. The shop technically has option to return "unwanted Christmas gift" for whole January, but in this case product should be either unopened or in pristine condition (not sure if possible with 2 kids, lol).

Polks won't go anywhere, and who knows, maybe there will be similar deal on them after Christmas.

 

[panblue43]

Hi Everyone!
Now for a time I stay at my ES20s after that in the past 2 years I listened,tested several other loudspeakers in this price range and over...
I have a lot of (1000+) cd albums but not enough time to listen..In the days I find (again) one of my favourite album Meatloaf-Bat out of Hell 2.
I did not listened it for a time because sounded flat,liveless on my previous loudspeakers but not on the es20!
I fell love again with this album,on the es20 there is the pulsing drum bass,the clear vocal,and the sparkling cymbals.
As the starting review post (Amirm) sometimes I find some female vocals too direct (not all) but I think it is a very good performer - all rounder loudspeaker -
in its price it is unbeatable.I had 3x priced loudspeaker previous but the polks beat them in dinamyc,low level listening,bass performance,treble performance,
room filling,dispersion.
Naturally it is a subjective experience,on my audio chain,in my room.I do not use room eq,eq,tone controls,I have no sub.My room rolls of trebles and lifts the bass about 40 Hz.
Nothing else just a pure marantz stereo with a cd player.
Also amazing sounding Daft Punk's R.A.M. ,my lovely G'n'R Use Your Illusions,Sarah Brightman all cds,Enya,Yello,Mike Oldfield,Enigma,Roger Waters,Pink Floyd,David Gilmour,etc.
And after several years the ES20 is the first what is the best for my Twin Peaks cd collection (all albums what conecting to the Movie or series and Juliee Cruise).
It is so important for me.
Someone knows here Chrysta Bell?And her Sycamore Trees performance?

 

[Angel II]

Hi Everyone!
Now for a time I stay at my ES20s after that in the past 2 years I listened,tested several other loudspeakers in this price range and over...
I have a lot of (1000+) cd albums but not enough time to listen..In the days I find (again) one of my favourite album Meatloaf-Bat out of Hell 2.
I did not listened it for a time because sounded flat,liveless on my previous loudspeakers but not on the es20!
I fell love again with this album,on the es20 there is the pulsing drum bass,the clear vocal,and the sparkling cymbals.
As the starting review post (Amirm) sometimes I find some female vocals too direct (not all) but I think it is a very good performer - all rounder loudspeaker -
in its price it is unbeatable.I had 3x priced loudspeaker previous but the polks beat them in dinamyc,low level listening,bass performance,treble performance,
room filling,dispersion.
Naturally it is a subjective experience,on my audio chain,in my room.I do not use room eq,eq,tone controls,I have no sub.My room rolls of trebles and lifts the bass about 40 Hz.
Nothing else just a pure marantz stereo with a cd player.
Also amazing sounding Daft Punk's R.A.M. ,my lovely G'n'R Use Your Illusions,Sarah Brightman all cds,Enya,Yello,Mike Oldfield,Enigma,Roger Waters,Pink Floyd,David Gilmour,etc.
And after several years the ES20 is the first what is the best for my Twin Peaks cd collection (all albums what conecting to the Movie or series and Juliee Cruise).
It is so important for me.
Someone knows here Chrysta Bell?And her Sycamore Trees performance?

I agree with you, these ES20 speakers sound amazing and without the subwoofer. After the beautiful ES20 I had the Evoke 20 and now the new arrivals fantastic Atalante 3. Polk Audio ES20 give a lot for the price.

 

[panblue43]

I agree with you, these ES20 speakers sound amazing and without the subwoofer. After the beautiful ES20 I had the Evoke 20 and now the new arrivals fantastic Atalante 3. Polk Audio ES20 give a lot for the price.

Hi!
Yes,and I like bookshelf loudspeakers (bigger ones) what have almost or full full bodied sound.
Listening is an interesting thing...I do not care about technical specifications.
They good if exist with measurements but I heard absolutely little,cheap loudspeaker or bit bigger without or with "poor" specifications but when You listened them they were absolutely pleasant,enjoyable,good tonal presentation against some ls with better of far better specifications
I heard that type ls what has no deep bass but the upper bass and lower midrange is fantastic,could enjoy its sound without the real deep freqs.For example the wharfedale mach 3.
I loved them because of upper bass and midrange..could listen for a long time but I was a real "bass-head" in the past.
Have a nice day!

 

[Mookalafalas]

I got a pair of KEF LSX (originals--2nd hand for good price), and they didn't work for me at all. I've just ordered a pair of these for about half the price of the KEFs...I've got very high hopes.

 

[SlowJim]

I have these and the KEF Q150's and definitely prefer the Polks, even though they were $100+ cheaper.

 

[Mookalafalas]

I got a pair of near-mint 2nd hand ones for $225. I got the white ones, and they are cooler looking than I thought. They are also deeper (front to back) than I thought. There are very few bookshelves these would fit on. The removable front grills are surprisingly flimsy feeling. Of course, most people will remove them and stash them somewhere, so no problelm. I'm in my office at work, so can't crank them up yet, but first impression is positive.
One trivial but annoying thing: the plugs in rear terminals (where you stick in banana plugs) are brittle and flimsy, yet very hard to remove--like they were glued in. The heads snapped off of two of them when I was trying to pop them out with a fine screw-driver blade and an exacto-knife blade. I hope I can pull out the remainder with needle-nose pliers.

 

[ninetylol]

How do you like them @Mookalafalas ?