The Monitor Series includes a larger bookshelf model (the Monitor 40), three towers, two center speakers, and two subwoofers. For this review we partnered two pairs of Monitor 30s with Polk's smaller CS1 center and the PSW10 subwoofer. The complete 5.1 system we tested retails for $879, but you can mix and match other Monitor models for your system. Want to go all out and surround yourself with a 7.1 Monitor ensemble? That'll run $1,118. Shop around a bit, and you'll shave at least 25 percent off those quoted retail prices.
The speaker's double set of heavy-duty connectors offer the possibility of biwiring (attaching two sets of wire to each speaker) or biamping (using two amp channels to drive each Monitor 30). These upgrades can result in improved sound quality over that of everyday single-wire, single-amp operation. The five-way binding posts accept bare wire, banana jacks, U-shaped spades, or pins.
For our home-theater and surround evaluations, we added two more Monitor 30s, a Polk CS1 center speaker, and a Polk PSW10 subwoofer. The complete Monitor system doesn't suffer from the sort of midbass deficit we hear with so many small subwoofer/satellite systems. Bass-heavy CDs such as Morphine's The Night sounded wonderfully full and weighty. The blend between the 30s and the PSW10 subwoofer was perfectly executed, and the pitch definition was right on the money. Ably assisted by the PSW10, the 30 sounds like a much larger speaker.
We next exercised the Monitor system's home-theater talents with the Pearl Harbor DVD. The sounds of propeller planes cranking up their engines erupted with fury, and later on, the planes seemed to swoop over our heads. When the Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor, the fierce explosions didn't fluster the Monitors. The speakers' dynamic impact and power are state of the art for a system in this price class. One downside: the film's lush score sounded a little rough compared to what we hear from more expensive Polk and NHT speakers.
A face-off with Energy's Act6 speaker package surprised us. The sound of the two systems was more similar than we expected. Yes, the Act6's treble range was a little more refined and delicate, but the Monitor system's beefier midbass response was obvious, and the Monitors could play a bit louder without distress. Clearly, the spiffy new Monitor ensemble is a worthy successor to the original models.
Product Specifications:
Product Description:
Polk Audio Monitor 30 - Bookshelf
Product Type:
Bookshelf
Dimensions (WxDxH):
7 in x 8.4 in x 11 in
Weight:
9 lbs
System Components:
2 speakers
Speaker Type:
2-way
Recommended Amplifier Power:
20 - 100 Watt
Response Bandwidth:
55 - 25000 Hz
Input Impedance:
8 Ohm
Connectivity Technology:
Wired
Speaker System Details:
2 x Right/left channel speaker - 55 - 25000 Hz - 8 Ohm
Color:
Black
Remote Control:
Included
Battery:
None
Manufacturer Warranty:
5 years warranty