The RM6200's served up the full kinetic bounce of the early Beatles CDs and the lavish sound of the brand-new remastered version of Bridge Over Troubled Water. Simon and Garfunkel's harmonizing was rich and natural, though it's missing some fullness that we hear from larger bookshelf or floor-standing speakers. The package sounds good, but if you really want to party or your room is huge, you will need bigger speakers.
Good vibrations
Chopper, a truly raw and twisted Australian crime flick, sounded especially lucid. These speakers easily portrayed the film's creepy prison atmospheres. The shudderingly deep bass assaults that populate The Haunting DVD showcase the subwoofer's athleticism--this baby boomer has what it takes to deliver visceral home-theater thrills. This subwoofer does more than just play bass; it delivers the texture of the bass.
With a $900 list price, the RM6200 faces stiff competition from Energy Speakers' popular Take 5.2 system, but the Polk package sounds more detailed and alive. We have no problem saying that this is one of the best sub-$1,000 systems we've heard. However, it's worth noting that the RM6200's gutsy sub will be happier in somewhat larger rooms than would most subwoofer/satellite systems. That said, if your room is pretty big--say, more than 250 square feet--you might also consider the next model up in Polk's line, the RM6600. This $1,180 (list price) system is similar but comes with a bigger subwoofer, and the satellites are outfitted with more refined tweeters.
What You'll Pay
- Set Price Alert
