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Polk Audio TSi300: Review

Posted to Speakers 2009-01-31

The Polk Audio TSi300 loudspeakers are the most compact tower speakers in Polk's TSi series. Designed to be used as front channels in a home theater system or as main speakers in a music system, they feature a compact design and are very affordably priced. They also feature a 1 inch silk dynamic balance dome tweeter with a Neodymium magnet structure for crisp, clear high frequency response.

Bass and midrange are handled by two 5-1/4 inch Bi-Laminate composite dynamic balance drivers, which are strong as well as lightweight for excellent response. The enclosure features non-resonant construction with ¾ inch thick baffle, and is available in either Black or Cherry wood-grain finish. Overall frequency response is quoted as 35Hz - 25KHz, with a power handling capacity of 150 watts. They use a 2500Hz second order crossover network and come with dual 5 way binding posts for bi-wiring and bi-amping capability.

Rating:

4.6 out of 5

Value

If you're looking for a set of mid-sized speakers for a surround or stereo system, you can't beat the price versus performance of these speakers. The look good, are relatively efficient (can be driven by a 20W/channel amp) and sound great. And they won't take up your whole living room in the process. They feature typical Polk quality and value. What you are not paying for is a name, or real wood veneers or unreal power handling capacity. If those things don't matter to you then these speakers represent an excellent value at the price.

Ergonomics

Measuring in at a mere 36-3/8 inch H x 7 inch W x 11-1/2 inch D, these great looking speakers pack a lot of performance into a compact package. The 7 inch width makes them especially unobtrusive. They sound much bigger than they are. So if you don't have a lot of room but still want a lot of performance, these speakers would be ideal. The overall look of these speakers is accented by a piano black top plate and pewter accents, making them very handsome indeed.

Summary

If you're a budding audiophile on a budget, you definitely need to give the TSi300's a listen. Dollar for dollar they deliver much better sound than similarly priced speakers from the competition. Polk Audio has a reputation to maintain, and they are not willing to sacrifice that reputation even in their budget-priced products.

Pros

Compact, narrow design
Excellent sound quality for a speaker this size
They look great
Price versus performance best in class
Good power range - 20-150W

Cons

There are no cons for this product