Buy Polk Audio Monitor 30 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Cherry)Polk Audio Monitor 30 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Cherry) Product Description:
- Pair of bookshelf 2-way speakers that delivers superior linearity, definition and sound imaging
- Equipped with one 5.25-inch bi-laminate composite dynamic-balance driver
- Equipped with one 1-inch silk polymer-composite dynamic-balance dome tweeter
- All MDF construction and extensive cabinet bracing ensure resonance-free enclosures
- Built-in keyhole wall mounting brackets provides secure on-wall mounting
Product Description
Back in the 1970's, Polk's Monitor speaker series put Polk Audio on the map. Universally acclaimed by audio critics, the Monitor series became known as an acoustically transparent speaker - a concept that audiophiles search for - with beautifully accurate sound reproduction. Here we are, nearly 2 generations later, and the Monitor is being re-introduced so you can experience this great sound fresh and new. Dual Five-Way Binding Post Connectors, allowing for more secure hook-up options, as well as bi-wiring and bi-amping flexibility Monitor Series speakers are modern living accessories that make a stylish statement in Cherry wood grain finish, with Titanium faces Magnetically shielded for safe placement on or near TVs and video monitors with no risk of video distortion Built-in keyhole wall mounting brackets for strong, secure on-wall mounting with no added brackets to buy. Critically Tuned Flared Port minimizes port noise ( chuffing ) for good low frequency extension with low distortion, resulting in natural, full-bodied sound with rich bass Cabinet Size 11 H x 7 W x 8-3/8 D (27.94cm H x 17.78cm W x 21.27cm D) Mounting Options on-wall with built-iin key hole slot Enclosure Type Vented via rear panel flared port Each speaker weighs 9 pounds 2 Speakers in package for left and right channel stereo or for front or rear channel in home-theater mode Cherry Finish
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful.
Good Multi-purpose Bargain Speaker
By Under the Influence
First, don't be mislead by the price. The Polk Monitor 30 has great potenial and a huge bargain. A bookshelf with depth, in that it protrudes twelve inches from front to rear when placed on a wall, and, also, provides ample bass for its stature. It matches well with Polk's CS1 or CS10 center channel speaker for surround systems. It can be used as a both front and rear channels, or surround duties when paired with larger speakers in the Monitor line, the M40 bookshelf, and M50 or M60 tower speakers. It will stand out prominently from the wall when hung from it's bracket. On the opposite end of the hanging bracket, short legs keep the speaker evenly spaced from the wall and allow the rear port to breathe. The construction is excellent: 3/4 inch MDF, no hollow cabinet resonance, bevel, square, and not a hint of shoddiness.Since both Polk's Monitor bookshelf and center channel speakers provide ample levels of bass, more flexibility in choosing a subwoofer crossover can be obtained than that of small satellite speakers and mini-bookshelf speakers. Crossover with a satellite speaker generally should be set no lower than the 120-150Hz area and mini-booshelfs around 90-100Hz, which is at the uppermost range of most subwoofers and where the location of bass frequencies becomes audible. Unless the sub is an ideal location, bass instruments may appear to be located in more than one location, or in the wrong location. The M30 can easily be adjusted down to the 60-80Hz area which eliminates potential localization issue. Of course the larger speaker size in the bookshelf can take more power and produce more volume than satellites, as well.However, for front channel use the Monitor has limitations. With mid-size and larger rooms the Monitor 30 is a bit small as a front channel, and during high volume listening could put demands on either the speaker or the receiver that ultimately might diminish audio quality - sibilance, strained audio, and harshness. Not unlike any bookshelf, use of a subwoofer is a must to maximize enjoyment of movie low frequency effects and to provide music with its full bass depth. Thats to be expected of any two-way, two driver bookshelf speaker. However, the M30 is noticeably lacking in bass detail and the finer tonal qualities of some of the more expensive bookshelfs. Spending at least a few hundred dollars more would probably resolve most of the audio quality issues. The other option is to purchase the Monitors for $100 and spend the extra money on a better quality subwoofer.I own two pair of Monitor 30's. One pair serves surround channel duties in a fairly spacious room (16x24 & vaulted ceiling) with Polk Monitor 60 towers and CS1 in the front and they do a great job in this setup. Plenty of output and seamless ambience. The other pair is used only for music listening during winter months in the cigar-smoking and music-listening lounge (aka, my garage). The speakers are set in close proximity to my listening chair and powered by a 100wpc Carver Integrated amplifier with no EQ. They do an excellent job considering their cost, none of the bass boominess served up by my old Bose 301 speakers with their eight inch woofers. Despite lacking a high degree of tonal accuracy and dynamic detail, good clarity and imaging is excellent.Again, don't let the price fool you. There are many steeply priced speakers using same size drivers that will only marginally outperform and sometimes underperform the Monitor 30. When given time to break-in, matched appropriately with other speakers, and tuned with the latest A/V Receivers, the 30 can be a very solid performer. Check out the review at Audioholics.com if you want opinions by the pros.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful.
Not bad for the price, but only recommended if space is an issue.
By Andrew Bergholtz
I bought these speakers to compliment a new flat-panel TV in our living room, I chose the Monitor 30's because of their compact size along with Polk's good reputation for sound quality. They are fine little speakers, but are noticeably lacking in mid-range sound, even when accompanied by a sub (they are currently hooked up with a Polk PSW-10 sub). They offer great highs and the sub combination obviously supplies plenty of bass, but the lack of mids is distracting. My Athena AS-B2's sound WORLDS better and can be had for the same price elsewhere online. The Athenas are larger than the Polks but the sound is much, much richer and more versatile overall. Bottom line, the Monitor 30's are decent if you can find a good deal and if you need to save space.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful.
Great bookshelves
By LoveMyToys
I have had the Monitor 30's for almost a year now and am incredibly impressed. Great bang for the buck (paid $140 on sale at CC). I am using these as fronts in my 7.1 surround set up, with Polk M10's as the surrounds and a Pioneer VSX-1018 avr and Sony 40S2010 LCD. I am still using a crappy jvc htib 60watt powered sub, but am planning on treating myself to a Avs123 X-sub for Christmas. :) Anyway, I am here to talk about the Polk M30. My set up is for a 15'x17'den. That's a fairly small room and I have a wife that agitated with overpowering sound (yeah, my love for audio equipment does not always over well). Although I would have loved to go for a floorstanding speaker, I agreed to stick to bookshelf size to keep my wife happy. The M30 certainly fit the bill. They have a clean, accurate sound with excellent highs and mids. The sound is linear and smooth, with a warm tone. If you like a brighter sounding speaker, these probably aren't for you and you might be better off with the Infinity Beta series. As far as bass goes, on my radio shack SLP, they drop as low as 50hz, which is pretty decent compared to most of the bookshelves I have heard and better than the specs indicate. Still, these speakers, by themselves don't produce enough bass depth for stand alone duty. You will need a decent sub that can make up for what the M30's lack and, given the m30 range, setting the crossover on the amp at 80 is the way to go with these babies.These speakers are designed for a tonal match with all other speakers in the monitor line and the M10's are perfect for satellite duty. I would recommend spending a little extra for the Polk CS1 center over the CSM (returned it). As for a sub to match, CNET likes the match between the Polk PWS10 with the Monitor 30s (used in their test). I auditioned the PSW10 and felt it was lacking umph. I preferred the sound of the Velodyne VX-10 or Dayton 120 (although I am going to take the advice my audiofile friends and go for the Avs123 sub-x for $200).The bottomline, the Monitor 30 is a high quality bookshelf speaker for a fair price. If you're a hardcore audiofile looking for paradigm and definitive bookshelves, the M30 isn't going to work for you. However, if you're looking for a nice sounding speaker but don't want to spend $800, these are ideal. Certainly, they blow away anything from sony, pioneer, yamaha and Bose etc.
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