Polk Audio R150 Two-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair)

by Polk Audio

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 7 x 10.6 inches ; 19 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 18 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000MGNDHE
• Item model number: AM1575-B|4
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,810 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #89 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Stereo Components > Speakers > Bookshelf Speakers

Product Description

Polk Audio's R150 Bookshelf Speakers - Building incredible-sounding speakers at reasonable prices has made Polk Audio a powerhouse in the audio industry. The R Series Loudspeaker models continue the Polk tradition of using high quality materials and excellent fundamental engineering to deliver exceptional sound at an exceptional value. R Series Loudspeakers are perfect for building starter systems, or for small room or multi-room applications. With the addition of a PSW Series powered subwoofer, you can assemble an impressive home theater system on a budget. Use them as surrounds in a den or bedroom system. Wall mount them in your workshop or basement rumpus room for industrial strength durability and great sound.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just OK., January 27, 2007

By 

Michael Gruen (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Polk Audio R150 Two-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair) (Electronics)

Perhaps I was expecting too much. I read the reviews on the R15 and expected this would be similar - perhaps the R15s would live up to their rating (currently 4.5) and the description of "superior detail". However, I found these merely OK. Pretty good bass (these have the bass port pointing back, whereas the bass port in the R15s point forward) but muddled in the mids and highs, denying good definition of guitar chords and "waterdrop" effects, for instance. For reference, I'm using an Onkyo HT-R520 receiver, 18-gauge wiring, and I'm comparing these to the original Onkyo main speakers that came in a home-theater package.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Quiet? Sounds great! Loud? Not so much., April 5, 2008

By 

Schuylercat "Schuylercat" (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Polk Audio R150 Two-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair) (Electronics)

I agree with Mr. Gruen's review: at volume (not cranked, distorted - just 5/10ths) they get kinda muddy, lose their sheen and tinkle and sound like they politely have their hand over their mouth. Odd, but at low volume they actually sound fantastic - balanced, clear, bright-but-not-tinny. I'm compelled to adjust the treble up a few db to compensate the more I turn the knob.

They feel somewhat well built, a little hollow-sounding, although I haven't taken them apart to tell and frankly, since I have them hooked up and in place, I guess I don't want to know.

Don't bother trying for "loud" from these little guys. They'll start to sputter break up well before you can hurt your hearing. I suspect these were engineered specifically for surround applications as sides or backs - they're very non-intrusive that way.

I use them to augment ceiling mounted stereo-only speakers, feeding TV, CD's and XM Radio through a wonderfully quiet and simple 15 year old 100watt/per Yamaha reciever. When I light up the whole stystem: kitchen, great room, dining, patio (through a Sima balancer), they do the job sufficient enough to get three stars.

Note that stereo-only TV augmentation is very good - it's CD's and XM that sound a little muddy.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bargain at twice the price, July 4, 2007

By 

doghair "doghair" (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews

I got these for fronts to make an RM6750 set 7.1 surround. It's hard to believe when I'm listening that I paid what I did. A CD through just these two and the sub woofer totally works for me. For context, I am a medium audiophile, using this setup in a 14' square room with carpeting. Something I noticed after testing the 'upside down' theory I read about somewhere, the tweeters seem to project down a little. If below ear level the highs come through a little better if you flip them over. I could just be nuts though.