Polk Audio Signature Series S60 American Hi-Fi Home Theater Large Tower Speaker (Classic Brown Walnut)

Let me start by saying that last year, I purchased a pair of Polk Audio Monitor 70 Series 2 for my home theater set up in my basement and still believe them to be excellent speakers at an outstanding price. I like the Polk Monitor 70's so much that I considered just buying another pair for my living room HiFi/home theater setup. However, two things drove me to purchase the S60's this time around: first, the price of the Monitor 70's increased, and more importantly, I saw that these Signature 60's were on sale ($700 for the pair). So I did what any rational consumer would do, I went with the better deal on the S60's and so far I love them.I added the S60's to a 5.1 set up - replacing the front channel speakers - so that I could listen to music in plain old school powerful stereo. These are Bi-Amped to my Yamaha Advantage receiver that delivers 95 watts per channel. The bi-amping does make a noticeable sound difference, especially with opening up the high-frequency range. If your receiver can assign two channels to bi-amp, you should really do it. If you have a receiver with a calibration mic, definitely use it in your initial set up to ensure proper phase control and distance. Once the initial set up is complete, spend the time to manually adjust your receiver settings. If you are using a separate subwoofer, one tip to consider is to adjust the receiver crossover and EQ settings in the receiver and set these speakers to small - which will focus more of the receiver power and dynamic range to them to help deliver a noticeably more balanced, straight, and satisfying sound across their sound spectrum. Though controversial, there is some physics behind this tip as it is more efficient to let lower frequencies be handled by a separate powered sub rather than sending full-range power to these speakers only for the low-end sound to roll off. Let this speaker do what it does best and power them in the upper end of their dynamic range and leave the sub to do what it does best and I believe you will hear the difference.In pure stereo 2.0 mode, these speakers do an outstanding job across the full acoustic spectrum.So far (after nearly 2 years), here is the report card I give them:1) Sound imaging and detail reproduction: A2) Voice and dialogue articulation: A.3) Clarity: A. These are hi-fi speakers of the old breed that can be cranked up and deliver impressive sound at high power without breaking a sweat or distortion.4) Highs: A. These signature speakers can get up as high as 40 kHz and believe me, you can hear these tweeters shine with vocals and horns.5) Midrange: A. Most of what you hear happens in the midrange which is where these speakers shine. I am a big fan of the Polk cascading array design (making these S60's a more a 2.5-way design than a pure 2-way design). The net result is a very graduated, natural, and perfectly blended sound all the way through the S60's response range - which is very wide.6) Sensitivity: A. The S60's are very efficient and don't require me to crank up the volume... just know that they can produce a reliable sound image with varying amounts of power without becoming muddy, boomy, or distorted.6) Construction, fit, finish, and quality: A-. The S60's are nicely designed, aesthetically pleasing, and very well built with good insulation and internal bracing to dampen resonance. However, I will ding Polk here on the fact that though the finish is modern and contemporary - it is a veneer, which just seems a little unimpressive and I do wish these came in a piano gloss finish. However, Polk made these Signature Series speakers using quality components and excellent build. These S60s look as good as they sound and I am very satisfied with their construction and quality.7) Bass: A. These S60's have outstanding and authoritative low-end sound. The bass they bright, clean, and solid - with just the right amount of punch for low-frequency effect. In stereo mode you definitely do not need a separate subwoofer; however, in the home theater mode, a separate sub does add a noticeable bit of authoritative impact on the effects. Don't get me wrong, you definitely can feel the superb bass output with these, but as I seriously doubt that it is physically possible for any floor standing speaker to produce LFE in home theater mode to match a powered subwoofer. But again, in pure stereo music mode the S60's shine throughout a very wide acoustic range to deliver a very natural, detailed, accurate, balanced, and blended sound.All-in-all, these speakers deliver the rich and genuinely true hi-fi stereo sound that I expected. I am completely delighted with these speakers and feel that you might have to pay a lot more to find a better set of speakers anywhere. The S60 Signature Speakers are worth every penny I paid and then some.All the best!

I'm adding to my review because I've had these for over 6 months.These are Great Speakers.Once you get them set up right for your room--it is hard to top them.I still don't use a sub and don't miss it,These are powerful speakers that have the ability to producethe timbre of instruments that will make you take notice.Being a classic rock fan I do get tired of visiting the same songs over & over.So I've started listening to New Grass--.not--Blue Grass but--Blue Grass.There is a lot of acoustic instruments and great playing.Bands like The Infamous Stringdusters, The Steeldrivers, Cadillac Sky and John Cowen.Those are just a few that compare to any music recorded today and when played onthese Polk Signature Speakers they sound fantastic.The timbre of each instrument is true and full of the tones that make these instrumentssound so good. These speakers sound good at low levels and sound good at high levels.At any level played, they don't hurt your ears and maintain their composure.When I play some Bruce Hornsby and The Range who is a great Pianist,The Piano sounds very Natural and Weighty while the other instruments fill the airwith their own sound. Voices are natural and easy to understand.Sound never get jumbled.I've stopped shopping for speakers. I really like these.The Whole Family knows we made the right choice with Polk.I run these with a Denon X1200W and have plenty of power forthe small area we listen in.I do not use Audssey --The denon has a 9 band EQ built in andI do my own sound shaping.Once you have it set to sound right--it sounds fine for TV-Movies or Music.You could spend more and get a lot less than this well designed speaker.They are nice and deep with good feet for stability.That's very important in a tower.Love the magnetic grills.It is a very nice looking speaker that Your Wife will love.They Pass the WAF.They sound great with my average, everyday AVR that most people would own.I haven't put them to the test by playing special disc or demanding music.I have used them for "everyday" music and movies with TV shows so far.They are connected with 12 Gauge wire using the supplied jumpers.They are large speakers,I would recommend a "Good Quality AVR" if you're gettingan A/V Receiver---I use an 80 Watt Denon.The sound has been full, balanced and textured.The bass is well behaved and powerful and does not overpower the top end.Piano and drums sound full and natural, as you'd expect from Polk.Detail of instruments in the mid range and hi end have a lot ofpower and texture--adding to the overall enjoyment of this fine speaker.These have the Polk Powerport, which improve the Bass by making it deeperand more controlled and by stopping "Port Noises" associated with normal ports.The Powerport is a great idea and works quite well.I've been running my without a sub---I'm not a big powered sub fanbut the bass produced by these big speakers is plenty for me in my listening area.This model is the Flagship--"Top of the Line" for The Signature Series" and usesdifferent 6&1/2 drivers than in the rest of the line--these have 4 layer Voice Coils.A better driver---but the other models have good drivers too.You could bi amp or bi wire but I do Not--they sound just fine using the jumpers on the back.Polk makes nice speakers that sound good and these do just that--They sound great.If you've never owned Polks, you're missing a great name brand speaker.