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CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 02/03/2005
- Updated on: 05/29/2007
- Released on: 11/15/2004
The introduction of the XRt12 represents Polk Audio's first foray into the component audio business; until now, the company's been best known for its high-quality speakers. Unlike the large number of satellite tuners that are compact plug-and-play designs intended for shuttling between car dashboards and home bookshelves, the XRt12 is a full-size home audio component, measuring 2.3 inches high, 17 inches wide, and 10.5 inches deep--about the size of a DVD player. The XRt12's gently curved black faceplate, large buttons, and deep-blue display are styled to match premium audio gear.
The radio is available through Polk dealers or direct from Polk's Web site for $250. The box includes an indoor/outdoor XM antenna and hookup cables, but naturally you'll need to sign up for XM's satellite service, which currently runs $12.95 a month. Fans of rival sat service Sirius should check out Kenwood's similarly well-appointed DT-7000S home receiver, while the truly deep-pocketed may want to step up to Antex's XM-3000, which sports three XM tuners for multiroom, whole-house satellite audio. (To see how Sirius and XM stack up against one another, check out CNET's quick guide to satellite radio.)
Sound quality was a design priority, so Polk's engineers included audiophile-grade digital-to-analog converters. Connectivity options demonstrate the radio's higher-end aspirations: you get stereo analog outputs, optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, and something new for a XM Radio: a video output. No, the device can't stream video, but it can display relevant information--channel number, artist, and song title--on your TV. A 12-volt trigger input can be used with compatible A/V receivers for automatically powering the XRt12 on or off, and an RS-232 connector is provided for use with AMX, Crestron, and NetStream's home automation systems. The radio can store up to 20 channel presets, in four banks of 5 each. Push the Memory button, and the XRt12 will record the artist name and song data for the songs you hear. The remote duplicates the front panel's controls.
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