Polk Audio Introduces Two Complete Home Theatre Satellite/Subwoofer Systems
RM6500 Polk Audio (Amex: PKA) has introduced the new RM6500, a six-piece, five channel, home theatre speaker system, featuring matched satellites and a powered subwoofer. This product replaces the successful RM5400 system and represents the first ""ground up"" redesign of the award-winning RM Series since its introduction in 1989. The RM6500 satellites fit in the palm of a hand, making them easy to place in any room without being visually intrusive. The new styling incorporates soft lines and a sculpted shape, reminiscent of a smoothed stone. The satellite and center enclosures and front baffles are made of a cast polymer aggregated material with the look, feel and non-resonant acoustic properties of stone. Satellites and center speakers will be available in black or white. Each left and right channel satellite houses a newly designed 3 1/4-inch shielded midrange driver with rubber surround plus a new 3/4-inch treated silk dome tweeter that features a self-shielded neodymium magnet. The satellites are high-pass filtered to enhance their dynamic range, output and reliability. The shielded center channel speaker uses the same stone-like cabinet material, the same tweeter and two of the same 3 1/4-inch drivers as the left and right satellites. A second pair of satellites, identical to the front left and right units handles surround channel chores. With perfectly matched timbre on all five channels, the company says that the 360-degree soundstage is seamless and totally enveloping. In keeping with the RM Series tradition of ease-of-use and versatility, the front and surround speakers come with wall mounting brackets that allow limited pointing of the satellites. All of the satellites, including the center, can accommodate fully articulating mounting brackets via molded-in threaded screw inserts. The satellite and center channel speakers also feature Polkís anti-diffraction system whereby the driver components are raised above the baffle plane to minimize grille edge diffraction. This system is said to provide open, spacious imaging and excellent off-axis performance. Key to the performance of the RM6500 is the use of a powered subwoofer in place of the passive units often found in satellite/subwoofer systems. The RM6500 uses an all-new 100-watt powered subwoofer designed specifically for this system. It features a downward firing 8-inch subwoofer driver with a 1 1/2-inch voice coil, that is vented using Polkís patented Power Portô system. The Power Port system allows air exiting the port to slow gradually, thereby reducing air turbulence at the port mouth. Air turbulence wastes up to 3dB of bass energy and may produce audible chuffing noise and distortion. The tall and slim (10-inch W x 13.5-inch D x 23-inch H) subwoofer occupies less than one square foot, making it easy to place behind furniture or in tight spaces. The RM6500 will be nationally available in January 1999, at a suggested retail price of $1,099. RM7500 Also announced is the RM7500 6-piece home theatre speaker system that offers striking styling, a wide variety of placement options, and a level of performance that the company says far exceeds typical sub/sat systems. The system consists of 4 identical, uniquely styled satellites, a matching center speaker and a robust powered subwoofer, all finished in high gloss black laminate. The satellites and center speaker are a mere 5 1/2-inch deep, perfect for on-wall placement, especially near flat panel and recessed video screens. Each satellite features a shielded 5 1/4-inch driver, vented by a rear-mounted Power Port. This patented bass venting system vastly reduces air turbulence at the mouth of the port for lower distortion and low frequency extension unusual in speakers of this size. The result, says the company, is seamless satellite-to-subwoofer blending, rich lower mid-range response and wide dynamic range. Polkís top line 1-inch tri-laminate dome tweeter supplies the highs. Both driver and tweeter are mounted on a raised bezel that minimizes grille-edge diffraction for spacious, three-dimensional imaging. The gently rounded enclosure profile minimizes cabinet-edge diffraction and contributes to the stunning look of the system. The satellites may be wall mounted via keyhole slots built into the Power Ports, or via optional articulating brackets such as those made by Omni MountÆ. The center speaker features the same bold styling and placement versatility as the satellites. It uses a single 1-inch tri-laminate dome tweeter and two 5 1/4-inch drivers, identical components to those used in the satellites. One of the drivers is roiled off at a lower frequency than the other to avoid comb filter and beaming effects typically suffered by side-by-side driver center speakers. Dual, rear-mounted Power Ports supply bass extension and double as wall-mounting devices. The powered 250-watt subwoofer features dual 10-inch drivers with 2-inch voice coils mounted on opposing 1-inch thick MDF baffles. The system is vented via twin Power Ports mounted on the rear (amplifier side) panel. The RM7500 system will be available in April 1999 at a manufacturerís suggested retail price of $1,599.