Audio Video News

Polk Audio today introduced a new flagship line of speakers it says are the “most sophisticated and intensively engineered speakers” the company has ever produced.

The Legend series comprises six models ranging from $600/pair elevation modules to floorstanding tower speakers that cost $6,000/pair. In between are second tower speaker, two bookshelf models, and a center-channel speaker. All are slated for release in early October except for the top-of-the-line L800 SDA tower, which ships in early November.

In descending price order, the line comprises two tower models — the L800 SDA ($3,000 each) and L600 ($2,000 each) — the $1,800 L400 center-channel speaker, and $1,800/pair L200 and $1,200/pair L100 bookshelf speakers, both two-way designs with a 5.25-inch and 6.5-inch woofer, respectively. Rounding out the series is the $600/pair L900 elevation module for conveying height-channel information in a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X surround sound setup.

All models are offered in two real-wood finishes.

A newly patented, next generation version of Polk’s signature Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA-PRO) technology, invented by founder Matthew Polk in the early 1980s, is featured in the L800 SDA tower. SDA seeks to minimize a form of natural distortion known as interaural crosstalk that occurs when left- and right-channel sound crosses before reaching the listener.

In the new SDA-PRO design, the L800’s baffle is slightly angled and a “head shadow” filter is used to acoustically isolate the stereo channels and cancel out the crosstalk with greater precision than previous designs, resulting in what Polk calls a “true stereo listening experience.” Polk was granted a new patent for the angled-baffle design, which is said to position the drivers more precisely to maintain high-frequency extension without having to “toe-in” the speakers.

Polk says it has improved nearly every aspect of its new flagship tower, starting with a new proprietary 1-inch “Pinnacle ring-radiator tweeter” that uses a finely tuned waveguide that improves high-frequency dispersion to ensure a broad sweet spot. The tweeter’s rear chamber is also critically damped to minimize unwanted resonances.

A new foam-core Turbine cone was developed for the L800’s midrange drivers to improve detail in the critical middle frequency range, and Polk refined its longstanding Power Port design to reduce noise and boost bass response.

Finally, the L800’s cabinet was engineered with rigid bracing to control vibration and eliminate audible distortion.

“The Legend Series is the culmination of decades’ worth of acoustic engineering and loudspeaker development,” said Michael Greco, senior director of global brand management at Polk Audio. “Whether placed in a traditional two-channel orientation or home theater system, the new flagship series offers incredible imaging, perfectly balanced mids, and deep lows. We’re confident these are the speakers that will remind Polkies and enthusiasts why they love Polk Audio.”

For more information, visit polkaudio.com.