Polk Signature Elite ES15 (Crutchfield) shop-links.co/cfQUYYdPwYe ------Emotiva B1+ bit.ly/3FcOBoH ---------Polk ES15 (Amazon) amzn.to/3Hqlnoj -----------Polk XT20 shop-links.co/cfQUR9OeHCF --------------www.patreon.com/cheapaudioman -----------------Amazon Music and Disney Plus Free Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9 ---------------------Amazon Music 3 Months Free amzn.to/3qq0tPY

@dperr338

2 жыл бұрын

So an improvement over the original Signature series?

@chet3cpo

4 ай бұрын

I have been listing to the cheapaudioman. I wanted to replace my fronts. Back and forth on speakers because of my cheap Denon AV receiver. Well, I purchased the Polk ES15 because of this review. He sounds like BS, but he is right on. Your the man !

Still love my Polk Monitor 7's circa 1979. They don't sound quite as good as they used to, but my ears don't work quite as well either.

I purchased the ES15s for a commercial project I was doing and the client was so impressed, he bought some for his home. I did the same. I've got a pair as my rear surrounds and also use them as near-field monitors in my studio. I also have the older top-end LsIM series for my primary speakers in my home theater. Polk continues to blow me away with their exceptional quality.

I have been consuming these videos for 8 hours straight. Thank you

I audiotioned them today and I agree 100% with your detailed description of their sound signature. Not fatiguing at all. Thanks

Your sponsorship is solid. I wish you great wealth with your marketing negotiations.

I bought these speakers based on this video. They sound great. I use them in my office which doubles as a sound room when I'm not working. They' put out plenty of sound for the size of my room. I also use them with a subwoofer which really makes a difference. The only thing that makes me nervous is the way they mount on a wall. I don't have room for floor stands and the single keyhole on the back limits how securely you can put them on the wall. I used heavy duty anchors, might swap them out for butterfly toggle bolts for a little more peace of mind. I've pictured them falling off the wall when I have the music levels high and it's a disturbing visual.

Great review !! I picked these up and paired it with the Aiyima T9 they sounds amazing.

Excellent review I plan on buying its larger brother soon. After some very serious life-changing events I'm able to piece together a two-channel audio system. It will be the es twenties and the Yamaha 301 integrated amplifiers

These really are a gem I picked up a pair about a year ago and there still in my home as one my 3 main sets I rotate in my system

Oh man, what a wonderful review! Please make another one for the signature elite 20

Thanks to this video I got the white version for $99. Polk had it on sale for around $140 but they had open box items in white. It was sold quick. Thank you!

I just picked a pair of these up for $230 shipped. Two years later seeing this review is still valid for ES15, a nice speaker which definitely is not fatiguing. Nice little music box and well-constructed, takes well to EQ. Replaced QA 3020 and this sounds thicker with some caramel. Just using Fosi SK-01 for EQ & they work well together, another item I found from your reviews so thanks!

Great review! Just picked up a pair to sub out for a pair of Klipsch B200 speakers I am using in a near field setup for film and video editing. They sound great and are actually aesthetically beautiful. I would love to leave the grills off, but nervous as that tweets feels super fragile 😮

The polks look Fricken Gorgeous !like some mini Sonus Fabers ,beautiful!!

Nice review and have been enjoying your other videos. I don't have any Polk speakers but I am thinking about getting these to see if they can replace my old but well kept Infinity SL20 bookshelf speakers. Currently using a Fosi Audi BT20A Amp and Fosi DAC-Q4 and playing lossless tracks. They sound good but I wonder if the new speaker technology will make a difference.

Something for you to consider for a future video: I'd love it if you could either review Martin Logan speakers - their bookshelf speakers, anyway, if not necessarily those Electrostatic jobbies - or do a shootout between comparable speakers at their level (including, hopefully, some Polks). My home is largely a Polk Audio house - an assortment of 30+ year-old floorstanding speakers, 15+ year old LSi- and RTi-series speakers, and the newer, although also discontinued-at-this-point LSiM 703 bookshelves. All either hand-me-downs or bought at closeout prices. I have a friend who was similarly a Polk Audio person until he was turned on to Martin Logan. While acknowledging that every speaker in a manufacturer's lineup is not going to perform the same (and apparently somewhat independent of price, as demonstrated by your opinions of the various Klipsch speakers you've reviewed), and understanding that Martin Logan isn't really a 'cheap speaker' brand, I'm still curious what your impressions are of how Martin Logan stacks up against its competitors. Are they really deserving of the hype? What listening preference do they suit (U shaped? V shaped? Balanced?). I really have taken to appreciating your take on speakers, so I'd love to hear what you have to say about them.

Great review

I have the ES20s, and they sound surprisingly great! I cross them over at 60Hz with two RSL Speedwoofers. Even crossing them at 40Hz sounds good. Crossover below 80Hz on any speakers I've auditioned ALWAYS sounds better in my room. Of course, I choose speakers that are capable of playing well below 80Hz.

Thanks! As a returning audio buff after years of family distraction, in a good way, I appreciate your insights. I'm starting to build my new music listening studio based on your recommendations.

@cheapaudioman

18 күн бұрын

@@TonyEisenberger thanks so much for supporting the channel! Really appreciate it

Thanks for the excellent review (yet again) Randy. How do these Polk ES15's compare to the Monitor Audio Bronze 50's and/or the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 's ??

true and true presenter!keep up the good work randy 👌

got these on friday. love them

I just got the ES20 and am impressed. Breaking them in, and fussing with the bass to integrate with my sub. Got it for $320 and used my Amazon points to drop it tp $220 for a bargain. The es20s have a DEEP cabinet, so bulky for near field. But worth it.

Hi Randy Thank you for this review. I am starting to build a New Hi-Fi system. My plan is to buy the 2021 Bluesound Powernode and buy budget bookshelf speakers. Hopefully within a year or two I could upgrade to a higher category bookshelf speakers. Therefore, I was thinking of buying the Sony SS-CS5 based on your reviews or the Polk Audio ES15 which are a bit more expensive here in Canada than the Sony's. I wonder which of these two speakers would you recommend buying that really have overall very good sound quality for its price. I listen to Various Music Genres. Progressive Rock like Camel, Pink Floyd, ... to Extreme Metal like Behemoth, Dark Tranquility, At The Gates,...etc. Rap, Hip Hop, Blues, ...etc. Thank you for your time and for creating this channel. Happy New Year

love the look of these!

Another great review. Thanks! Also, can you provide the web address for Salazars? Need to order some stuff. 🤑

Sold. I am buying a pair for my teenage daughters bedroom. She listens to my old vinyl on a 70's era KLH receiver.

Excellent excellent review, I like the sound of the speaker do you like it better than the C 93, IA, also I still have beef with Crutchfield for the way they tell you they give you free shipping but if you don’t get the two day shipping you save about $25-$30 on the price

Great Review! 👍👍👍

When you say compliment the Emotivas, are you saying to combine them? I am racking my brain out with choices on building a 5.1.4 set up. I see some people saying the es10s would be good height channels. My room size is 13 x 13 (with open to kitchen and hall etc) but sitting area is around 11.5 feet from tv. If I describe my preference (I assume this is what I like) as being able to hear fingers move along guitar strings--hearing the warmth of keys but also clarity in voices (for movies too) and the crispness of classical instruments such as the high peaks of violin would you say these would work? I keep hearing people saying neutral but I am worried about a flat or lack of color to sound? I also will be mounting to the wall for the front and rears (not on wall but on brackets etc) as I have no other choice--kids running around), so I am not sure if most of the speakers recommended would even work for me. I know everyone has their own opinion but audioscience review/avs forum seem to hate or ignore polk? Most tend to recommend Emotiva or JBL 130 (although audioscience say it has a muddy sound) or Elac Br5.2 or br 6.2 or Infinity R152/162 when on sale. I am not an audiophile but when I listen to music I want to smile and hear clarity, and when I listen to movies I want to feel it and hear clarity also. Budget is key. My wife is content with a soundbar, I am not. I am just worried the Sonys won't have enough power in the room? Its driving me freakn insane with how many dang choices their are (as others talk about BICs, Paradigm, Q Acoustics, DSL CG3, and too many freakn others). HELP! EDIT: on and add Cambridge Audio SX 60

Just got 2 pairs at Nebraska Furniture Mart for $189.00/pair! Thanks for the review!

Sorry to ask but i am trying to get a speaker i am in between this one or the Paradigm Monitor SE Atom Speaker which one you recommend? Would be nice to heard and opinion between those 2 before making the purchase.

My vintage jazz sounds great on these. The midrange is wonderful.

Building a system with a small speaker like this really dictates that you would most likely need a sub if you plan on keeping "bookshelves" as your mains, it would be helpful if you happen to try them assisted by a sub to test out their overall potential, seeing that a sub will free up the bass speaker, how big of an effect is that with these?

Hello Sir, I am looking for desktop speakers. What would you recommend between POLK ES 15 or Emotiva B1+

I have the S10s. Obviously a different speaker but I really like the tweeters they are using. I think it’s very detailed but smooth. Not very harsh at all. Listening to them A/B with the monitor series 2. The mids are a big more pronounced in comparison where the monitor series sounds like the tweeter really stands out.

I love that you always use good music, well in my opinion, for testing speakers. A couple songs I use when auditioning speakers is Breakdown by Tantric. The guitar on that song is phenomenal. And then Touch, Peel, and Stand by Days of the New. That song will show you if you have a full or lean speaker instantly. Anyways just thought I’d drop some song recommendations that I think you might like. :D

I paired these with a ES30 center, a JBL 550p sub and a Denon AVR-X1600H receiver. WOW, what an amazing sound! I thought I would need bigger speakers, but no, I don't.

@PhilBaker1

2 жыл бұрын

What's your opinion of the ES30? I'm torn between the ES30 and a single ES15 for center channel duty. Given the MTM design of the ES30, I wonder how good the horizontal off-axis response is. A single ES30 sitting in the center on the TV wouldn't have any MTM-related off-axis phase issues, but a bookshelf speaker is obviously taller and less visually appealing.

Would you consider these a good pairing with a vintage receiver? The "warmness" is really what caught my attention. I'm using a Harman/Kardon 930 from the 70s, and my music collection is pretty varied, from jazz to rock, punk metal etc. I'm after the kind of "do it all" speakers because of that. I don't want to match my speakers to a specific genre. Also, the space is at premium in our household, so speakers much bigger than this are really not an option.

One yosi song I listen to is fluid, it reminds me of one time I was in an underground lava tube in arizona…. Luckily it had cooled thousands of years ago and I had a good headlight but the way sound wrapped around you in a cave like that was trippy.

Good Afternoon, I am in between the xt20 or ES15. Are them comparable?

Love the Salzars! 😆. The marks you have on your spectacles is what we call "bacon glasses" 🥓in our house 😂

Great review and love some buttery speakers. Everything is better with a little bit of butter 🎵 🧈 🎶

Debating these (possibly es20's)' or the xt20's. What's your opinion on comparison? I'll use them mostly for music on a Sony 2ch receiver in my living room. Thanks in advance CAM

I’ve been using these as my main stereo speakers for 2+ years. I was originally sold on the aesthetic but they sound good as well. This year for Black Friday, all Polk were discounted. I added a pair of Es20 as my front and Es30 for my center with Es15 in back to use as a surround sound setup. 5.1 sounds great in a medium sized room. Not sure if I want or need to add a subwoofer . At the moment, I’m happy without one.

@roybrolsbeak

4 ай бұрын

How is the e15 vs e20?

I was looking at these and a couple others for my bedroom marantz 2215. Do you have any advice for me with that receiver. I listen to classic rock and love my old Friday the 13th scores on vinyl . Kind of new to the game but love your channel.

What is the difference between between the special edition ES15 and these the regular ES15. My intended usage is for front L and R in a home theater system.

Can’t beat the Cheapaudioman!

Can you let me know if there is a machine screw in the bottom for mounting on a stand or tripod?

Do you think Polk S20 (from previous signature series) is still a good buy compared to the ES15 considering the previous series S20 is on a sale on their website? I have almost finalized on S20 having seen your earlier review but i'm rethinking now. Hence, little confused between S20 and ES15. Please suggest from your perspective.

Hi Randy. Would you say these babies are a huge upgrade from wharfedale d320? Thank you.

So, if I focus on movies primarily I was thinking of getting the ES15 with ES30 as a center channel. Would I just need a sub too? I'm still researching a receiver to drive them.

How do these sound compared to a sonos One pair? Are they able to overcome the disadvantage of no active crossover?

My question is, can you reasonably expect a wall mount these speakers?

Hmm. I think I like these. Good stuff randy.

Wow Randy. Never listened to Tool before now. They are awesome.

I need a quick answer please. These one's or JAMO C 91 II ? JAMO's are on discount in one store, they go for 249.99, Polk's cost the same. I'm leaning towards JAMO's but I'd like to hear your opinion.

It would seem that the polk S15, S20,ES15, and ES20 have the bass response Polk is typically known for. I bought the RTiA3 polks a couple of years ago, and they don't seem to have the bass punch that my previous Polk's have, but they are probably a more linear/flat design as far as frequency response. I'm wondering, out of the following three Polks, would anyone know which one has the best bass extension? ES15, ES20, and R200 (from the Reserve line). Also, small speaker behaviors can be easily corrected by tone controls, so if your speaker is too bright, dial back the treble, if it's too dominant/shouty in the midrange scoop out the midrange by dialing back your midrange, and same with bass, if it's too boomy, dial back the bass. My hearing is sensitive to midrange, but I like the slight bottom end boost (gotta when you enjoy awesome Geddy Lee Bass!!! And Moog synth bass lines) and slight high frequency boost too. If u have triple tone controls and unlike slightly boosted highs and lows, try lowering/scooping your midrange level, as this makes lows and highs more prominent. To me, a flat speaker can be stressful to listen to, as I need the slightly boosted lows and highs. I've played bass guitar for many years so bass better be there, but not so much it's gonna drowned out the middle frequencies - that's not good. Well, nice review on the ES15 product. Thanks!!

KEF Q150's are onsale for $299 right now - same price as these. Which of these is better for a system with just these speakers, small room, 50-50 TV and Music? I'm a hifi newb and this is my first big purchase.

Hi CA-Man, I am planning to buy the PSB Imagine XB, but its $400 total. Are you able to let us know the sound signature difference between the Polk se15 and PSB Imagine XB, so will be easier for me choose my fav speakers out of these two? I like some musical speakers and prefer rounded mids instead v shaped sound signature, thanks.

is s15 and es15 sound signature or timber matching same ?

How do the ES15s compare to the previous Polk S20? I am looking at the previous model of S20 for $200 compared to my current ES15s.

I love the Polk s20 as it is. But if the new es version is a little warmer with a little more detailed mid-range, they might have just improved an already great speaker.

@cheapaudioman

2 жыл бұрын

I liked the S20 too. It’s a brute. I don’t have them anymore and didn’t get the ES20. It would be awesome if they were better

@RaviSingh-ph2uw

2 жыл бұрын

@@cheapaudioman 😲 I've watched your review of the S20's (twice) where you revised your thoughts and said you were gonna replace your Elac Debut B6's with them and said "I'm not gonna sell them". Polk has a deal the S20's right now for $240. Guess they're about to get discontinued. I was about to pull the trigger on them but first would love to know why you got rid of them. PS love your channel, I sometimes even watch stuff I'm not really interested in just for the entertainment value.

I have an S55e + Denon PMA 800 and they sound great 👍

Started on Polk for their MM series car speakers. Now I have the S55, and S30. I don't know why they sometimes get hate, but are pretty great for the price.

@NickyNicest

Жыл бұрын

I am guessing it's bc they do make some shitty budget speakers, but doesn't mean their more premium models are also crap.

@CrashCarson14

Жыл бұрын

@@NickyNicest yeah most people buy the standard garbage, most places don’t sell the good stuff

Where would you place this on your speaker tier list? I’m deciding between this and Klipsch RP500MII for my primary TV speaker

Great and informative videos ! I am looking at upgrading my Polk RTi A1 and centre channel. I am considering the new Polk ES15 vs ES20 and was wondering if there is a significant sound difference between the two to justify the price difference? Overall, do you prefer one over the other for overall listening ?

@kartikd2972

3 ай бұрын

I recently got a demo of both ES15 and 20, both have same sound signature but 20 because of the bigger driver and depth has better lows. Mids and highs are exactly same. So if you have a slightly bigger space, ES20 is better overall.

Would you recommend these for a low power vintage Pioneer receiver?

Magnat Transpuls 800A or Edifier S3000Pro? Which ones would you choose?

I remember my vacation to Port Noise. Loud-ass place.

These Polks or the Elac Debut B5.2, which one would you choose?!🙏

Such a tasty review.

Hi Randy, how does this compare with the S20, because I know you really liked the S20 when you did that review.

Fun fact: Salazar's makes the only capes that Edna Mode approves of.

@cheapaudioman

2 жыл бұрын

they've got the exclusive

I originally wasnt happy with this speaker and wanted to sell them. It sounded muffled with bloated bass that covered up the midrange and highs. I decided to give them one more try using the fosi v3 with the sparkos op-amp & 48v ps. Running it thru Geshelli labs es9038 dac. Wow! What a difference! Well balanced clearer sound with deep punchy bass.

I just listened to Chocolate Chip Trip for the first time. Very trippy for sure.

these, Q acoustics 3010, or the Elac 5.2, or Triangle borea br03?

Price for performance, is the Polk R100 worth 2x the cost over the ES15?

How are they compared t Klipsch The Fives speakers?

So you're saying there is no port noise complaint?

I just traded a pair of m audio bx8 d2's for these es15's and a klipsch r-120sw subwoofer. I'm very happy with my trade.

is he saying he would use the emotiva as surrounds paired with these polks as front?

How are these compared to Dali Spector1 ??? You should do another shootout with smaller bookshelf speakers 🤞

Hi Randy, I have the original Polk S55 and S35 center using a Marantz 1711 Receiver (love it, thanks for the review) and Parasound NewClassic 2125 v.2 150w amp on the towers and the matching 12inch sub.. D think this new elite series is worth upgrading or is the difference most likely minimal?

@markwilson0077

2 жыл бұрын

I e got the same question!

@cheapaudioman

2 жыл бұрын

If you like what you have I'd stick with them. Other option is to just give them a try yourself with some place that has a decent return policy. Have some fun and do your own speaker comparison and see what you think and if it's worth the upgrade. now... this is probably easier with the bookshelf speakers instead of doing this with the towers

Are the any good for record player pls ?

Loved polk from past 15 years.. Wish they were made in America though. My schiit stack with S15 kills it..adding a polk sub soon

How do they compare to Q Acoustics 3020i?

Do a video of the ES15 vs the S15 since you hatin' on the latter...just to make sure your observation still holds 😁

That is an interesting bass plate - it uses the air on the outside of the case to load the port, as you mentioned, to extend the bass a bit lower than a similar sized speakers. And it probably makes it easier to place them closer to the wall. I think it was a Wharfdale that has the bottom slot port all the way around the cabinet - is essentially the same mechanism. And yes, the velocity of the air is greatly reduced at the openings at the edges of the bass plate. EDIT: there is another way to tune a speaker, in addition to flat, or U, or V "shaped" tuning - and that is a so-called *room* *curve. A room* *curve* tends to have lifted bass below about 200Hz, and ideally flat from 200-1000Hz, and a slight slope down above that. For me, a 1dB per octave lift below 200Hz (or 160Hz) and about 0.5dB slope down per octave above 1kHz. That totals +3dB total in the bass, and -3dB total up to 20kHz. This *room curve* is a mild version of a Harman Curve.

@halkdc

2 жыл бұрын

Polk also does that “power port” on their towers. Difference is that it’s a plate on the bottom. It sounds similar to the Warfdale from you description, but I have seen the Warfdales.

What are your feelings on the ES10?

Looks like Polk has stepped up their game and is refreshing their lines.

@chrisburn7178

2 жыл бұрын

I just bought the older S15e which is the Euro spec, which had great reviews and I already really like after a few days. Interestingly cheapaudioman hated the US spec S15 so I wonder if the Euro ones are closer to this ES model. Certainly they share the cosmetic changes that were applied to the Euro spec like black bolts and a matte fascia.

Pretty high praise there..I appreciate. I've got the original S series, S55 Towers, S15 surrounds and for a 2 channel S15 setup in office. Is the ES series worth the upgrade or can we just swap in the upgraded crossover?

@cheapaudioman

2 жыл бұрын

Mark, I'm not sure at all. I found the ES to have quite a bit better bass and lower midrange than the S series. I'm not saying you need to run out and buy them but I was really surprised and how good they were.

@halkdc

2 жыл бұрын

I have the same setup (S55 + S15) for my current 7.1 system and I quite enjoy them. I did use GR Research’s liner inside of the towers to help brace the box though. I’ve really enjoyed these and was intrigued by this ES version.

@CrashCarson14

2 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy My S55. S30 center is alright. Pioneer BS22 for surrounds. Kind of want to get the mini S10s for my second office room.

Is Salazar's equipment audiophile grade?

Is that a Port Noise Complaint?

what is that song that plays at 12:14? 👀

Do you think this speaker is good for Dolby Atmos?

I just recaped my RT5000 system and they are the best polk.

How this speaker compare with q acoustic 3030i?

Polk back on the map baby....