Customer Reviews

Polk Audio Monitor 30 AM3025-A 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Black)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, don't be mislead by the price. The Polk Monitor 30 has great potenial and a huge bargain at its close out price (replaced by TSi series which is nearly identical). A bookshelf with depth, both 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 as a front and surround channel, or can be paired with the larger M40 bookshelf, or M50 and M60 towers as a surround speaker. It should be able to outperform most satellite speaker systems, but will stand out prominently from the wall when hung from it's bracket. On opposite end of the hanging bracket, short legs keep the speaker evenly spaced from the wall and allow the rear port to breathe.

Since both Polk's Monitor/TSi bookshelf and center channel speakers provide ample levels of bass (55Hz), it offers more flexibility when used with a subwoofer than small satellite speakers. Subwoofer crossover can be set lower allowing the sub to handle the lower frequencies with more detail. While crossover with a satellite speaker generally should be set no lower than the 120-150Hz area, which is at the uppermost range of most subwoofers, the M30 can easily be adjusted down to the 60-80Hz area. Of course the extra speaker size can take more power and produce more volume than satellites, as well.

However, for front channel use the Monitor has limitations. For mid size rooms the Monitor 30 is a bit small as a front channel and noticeably lacking in bass detail no matter what the room dimension. There are bookshelfs that use larger mid/woofer drivers or at least two 5 inch drivers (and one tweeter) that can produce quite a bit more detail and volume in the lower frequencies. However, you'll have to spend at least $300 for such a pair that match the clarity and quality design of the Monitor 30. The other option is to purchase the Monitors for $100 and spend an additional $100-200 on a subwoofer to have even greater range than the larger bookshelfs.

I use four Monitor 30's as surround and rear channels in a fairly spacious room (16x24 & vaulted ceiling) with Polk Monitor 60 towers and CS1 in the front. Though the 30's are much closer to the listener than the fronts, the levels must be adjusted a couple of decibels higher to make surround effects really come out. In fairness, the front channels employ eight 5.25" drivers versus only two to four drivers depending on 5.1 or 7.1 soundtrack. While listening to music, I prefer using Dolby ProLogicIIx (7.1 surround), rather than two channel stereo. Since the Monitor 30's match so seamlessly with the other speakers, the soundstage is opened up and less volume is needed.

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. The Dynaudio 52SE for example, costing around $1,000, when tested by Audioholics produced great lower bass until it bottomed out due to lack of internal bracing and overall driver design. 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.

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.

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.

I bought these a few months back because my old speakers were toast. I wasn't expecting much since the price is so low, but when new speakers become a necessity for a man with limited funds...

So, I get home late from a 12 hour work day and break these out for a test run and...

I'll be damned! These little unassuming boxes start pumping out the kind of perfect, flat-response sound that I have always figured could only come from sticking headphones over my ears. Even at low volumes things sound clear, articulate, direct.

Of course woofers this size won't work for a hip hop house quake, but that's more a special effect than accurate music reproduction. (I like some rap music, so don't misunderstand me here people.)

Also, deep rumbles from that dvd action movie will require a sub woofer most def, but that's a future purchase during better economic times.

As for other reviewers' complaints about "boomy" sound. I can only surmise that these people are suffering from a loss of high frequency hearing. These speakers come as close to the flat frequency reponse of my Grado and Sony headphones as any speakers I have heard. At any price. In fact, the best setting on my stereo is completely "flat" with no increase in bass or treble settings.

I have the speakers in a moderate sized, carpeted room, thus I am not entirely certain if larger speakers would be better in a large area. In the room I have them in, serious ear damage is just a twist of the volume knob away. And I have yet to find myself thinking that they sound tinny or small.

I have been listening to music through headphones for many years (I'm 38 years old) and loudspeakers have always seemed to me a compromise. Granted, loudspeakers provide the "feel" of lower frequencies which can't be obtained through Sennheiser, Grado or Sony "cans." (My personal favorites) But I've always felt that recordings get a little distant and muddy through loudspeakers. Not so with these Polks.

Another problem with speakers can be an emphasis on a certain frequency range at the expense of the rest of the sound. For example, in both of my cars, there is an increase in the high end due to the overactive tweeters. Also, boomy bass seems to be part of the car stereo experience. For some recordings, this can sound just great, but I still kind of prefer to hear music the way it was intended. That's right, the way it sounds coming out of these cheap @zz lil speakers.

Alas, not everyone will hear things the same, but as Miles Davis once said with his trumpet, "So What?"

For the past 5 years I had built a system composed of polk speakers for the front and center channels, but never got around to puchasing the rears. I instead used a pair of infinities i had received from a relative at no cost. Those rears both blew and after several months of annoying flutter sounds, I made the decision to get some new rears, preferbly polk. I wanted a speaker that sounded great, yet didnt blow a hole in my pocket, leaving me with regret. So i did what i loved to do; research. When it comes to home theatre equipment, I find alot of joy in the research as well as shopping for the best price. If your a fan of electronics, im sure many of you can relate. So, I came across several polk models worthy of the buy, one of them seemed to expensive, the other too cheap and small. The M30 was perfect size for the price. I took a stab at it without even listening to it, because I trust polk audio. Once I installed them and listed, I was blown away. They needed a little fine tuning, but thats it. I could hear every detail in 5.1 surround without being over powering. They sounded much better than my old infinitys. Bottom line, buy these, they are a perfect addition to your home theatre.

Just bought a pair of these, coupled with a 10" Subwoofer also from Polk and the combination is great - fills a 14 x 28 room with full sound that's true and beautiful. Couldn't be happier for the price.

The POLK MONITOR 30 is a credible little speaker that is superb for the price. Back in my day, "bookshelf speakers" were all the rage. These were mostly two-way acoustic suspension boxes, typically with a 8" woof and a dome tweet. Leading the pack were the AR-4 and the KLH 17. Sure, there were larger walnut-clad speakers that were awesome, but at 70 pounds, you had to had a VERY substantial bookshelf. In spite of the moniker, the AR-3's and KLH 5's usually wound up on stands on the floor.
Getting back to the now famous AR-4 and KLH, these were true bookshelf's- They had a remarkably wide range and could fill a room. The big negatives were weight and efficiency. A minimum of RMS 25 watts was needed. A lot more to avoid low end distortion.
So, let's cut to the present. No longer an artists craft, speakers today are computer designed affairs. The current trend leans toward floor standing towers, or woofer on the floor satillite systems. Both are superb in general. Thanks to computer design, efficient enclosures and chinese-made components, a very decent pair of loudspeakers can be had for under $500 a pair. These are comperable to much more expensive boxes from the 1960s/70's. But what about a TRUE bookshelf? These little Polk monitors are light enough to be wall mounted with little more than a nail. The newer ported design (goodbye acoustic suspension) is worlds more efficient. The sound? I myself am using the POLK MONITOR 30 as surround rear channels for a high-end home theatre. They are spectacular. On a few occasions I switched them to front main. Much to my amazement, the full-range sound was excellent. A limited bottom end to be sure, but totally musical and acceptable for a college dorm or small room. Now, add the fact that TWO of these babies can be had for under $100. They are comperable in sound to the little KLH and AR of their day. Those sold for about $50 apiece. Account for inflation and you get the picture. So, there you have it. The POLK MONITOR 30 can be used for either a small HIGH QUALITY stereo setup, or as absolutely spectacular surround sound boxes. A word about POLK. This high-end speaker company rocked the industry with their first generation of audiophile towers. They were expensive to boot and could only be found in esoteric audio salons. Today, thanks to computer-guided manufacturing and chinese labor, Polk can offer fine instruments at a remarkably low price. The POLK MONITOR 30 is the junior of the batch, but is still excellent compared to fine bookshelves of the past. Bottom line- these are damn good little speakers at any price. Enjoy!

Forget all these weird little speakers for PCs you buy at Office Mega stores... get a pair of these Monitor 30s. They are well shielded to go next to your monitor and they sound good, especially for the price. These are real near-field monitors, the sound quality will not disappoint you!

Important, you'll need a power amp to drive them, and Amazon has the perfect solution: The Pyle - Mini 2x75W Stereo Power Amplifier - PCA3. I sit this little powerplant right on my desk, and it drives these Polk Monitors perfectly. Best of all, I can change volume in an instant with one knob, instead of hunting around my system tray for the Sound Control Panel and trying to lower volume 13 mouse-clicks later. This setup will sound good and natural, not boxy. You can add the Polk PSW10 powered subwoofer later if you like as well.

I purchased these speakers for both music and to use as temporary front speakers for my dvd movies. These speaker boxes are quality built and very solid. The highs are excellent and allowed me to hear highs I never heard before in the movies. For the lows, the speakers are a bit boomy from the rear ports. After reading a review of another user with the suggestion of stuffing the port with a sock, I filled mine with foam. This made the bass nice and tight and also improved the mids as well. The bass that comes from these little speakers is pretty amazing and was much more than I expected; however, don't expect earth-shattering bass from bookshelf speakers of any kind. If you purchase these speakers, you won't be disappointed.

I hooked these speakers up to a 20+ year old NAD amplifier that delivers 20W per channel. This is at the bottom of the recommended power range, but the sound is excellent and is everything that I could have hoped for. They take up very little room and look good too. I am very satisfied and would buy them again.