Polk Audio RC80i 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair, White)
by Polk Audio
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Polk Audio RC80i 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair, White)
Customer Review: Very impressive speakers
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently completed the install of Polk's RC80i speakers. I purchased them based on the good reviews on this site.
Observations:
The template that comes for cutting the hole in the ceiling drywall was right on. Use the small "inner" circle of the template to trace your cutting line. The outer circle is for masking the speaker grille for painting. Use a drywall jab saw to make your cut, after making sure the attic space is clear of obstacles.Cut on the outside edge of your pencil line, then the speaker will fit the hole perfectly. If you hold a vaccum up near your cutting, the drywall dust will be sucked up and the mess is almost a non-issue.
I built speaker boxes from 1/2" plywood and lined them with acoustical foam and put them in the attic to protect the speakers from the blown-in insulation as well as improve the sound quality.
Removal of the speaker grilles were much easier than I had read in the reviews. Take the speakers out of the shipping box, holding them in your hand, you can flex the edge of the speaker just enough that the grilles will pop right off. However, I left the grille off after installing them in the ceiling until I could check to make sure my tweeter was aimed properly. Removal of the grille once the speakers are installed in the ceiling would not be as easy. Once everything checked out OK, I popped the grilles in place. I painted the grilles to match my ceiling, using a 4" foam roller. Go light with the paint and the small holes in the grille will not clog. A needle can be used to open any holes that do clog. The grilles blend in very well, some people have not even noticed them.
I am very pleased with the sound quality of these speakers. We decided to go with ceiling speakers to free up floor space. We had rear speakers sitting on the floor prior to this. I am amazed at how much more sound we hear from the speakers mounted above and behind us rather than on the floor. We have them located about four feet behind us and about four feet outside our setting area. With the tweeters aimed at the center of our listening zone. It's a great setup.
I would defintiely reccomnd these speakers to anyone wanting a quality speaker for a reasonable price.
Customer Review: Great add to a Home Theater System
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the PA RC80i speakers just about a week ago. I expanded my home theater system over the Holidays with a Blu-Ray DVD and an Onkyo TX-SR606 receiver. With the new capabilities provided by the receiver, I was getting a lot of clipping from my existing JBL 6" speakers that were in the ceiling. I had four of the JBLs (fronts and surround speakers) with a Klipsch center channel and a Yamaha powered subwoofer. I tried to watch the Dark Knight and the clipping in the front speakers (mainly front left) was very distracting. So, I came to Amazon and read all the reviews on alternate ceiling speakers. These rated high so I made my purchase.
Speakers arrived in about 4 days after ordering which was very timely. I only ordered one pair and used them to replace the front speakers. As I already had 6" holes in my ceiling, I took my reciprocal saw and widened it based on the template provided. For those who are wondering about the questions on the templates... the speakers come with a cardboard sheet that has two two perforated circles. the smaller (inside) one is for painting, the outside is for cutting. So, I pulled out the inside piece on the cardboard leaving only the larger circle in the cardboard and outlined from there. When I cut, it was dead on.
Installing both speakers took only about an hour, and that included pulling out the JBLs and the vacuuming up of ceiling debris.
Once they were in, I ran the automatic speaker setup on my Onkyo receiver, then put my Dark Knight BluRay DVD in again. It sounded amazing. These speakers are larger than the ones I had previously (8" vs. 6") and you can tell. They sound much more alive and all the action jumps right out at you. I watched several other movies over the weekend, and really love the Polk Audio speakers!
I would definitely recommend them, and factoring in the price, I doubt they can be beat.
Customer Review: Excellent value
Summary: 5 Stars
As with most Polk products, these speakers are tough to beat for the price. I bought two pair for my 5.1 home theater setup. One pair for the front left and right, and the other for the back left and right. Note that using ceiling speakers for the front surrounds is not ideal. Unfortunately, my home was pre-wired this way with the cables in the ceiling. Bringing them down to the ceiling, cutting dry wall, etc. would have been a big hassle.
My setup:
Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR705
Center speaker - Polk CS2
Sub - Outlaw Audio LFM-2
DVD/CD - Oppo Digital DV-981HD
Your results may vary with different equipment.
Surprisingly, the sound imaging is pretty good even though the front surrounds are in the ceiling. The directional tweeters do help a bit with this. Bass is ok, but you'll want to pair these with a sub for home theater viewing. They also sound great with music. Overall sound is detailed but warm and never harsh with the highs. I cranked the volume beyond ridiculous levels and the sound remained true.
Installation was fairly simple. Use included template to draw circle. Cut hole. Remove grill. Connect speaker to wire, push into hole, then screw down clamps. Reinstall grill.
I did not have problems with taking the grills off or putting them back on like some other reviewers. Maybe Polk fixed the problem? When drawing the circle off the template, you may want to cut a hair outside of the circle. Even then the speaker will fit in snugly. Which is a good thing because that makes it much easier to turn the screws that are attached to the clamps (the clamps that secure it to the ceiling). Otherwise you'll have to hold the speaker and screw at the same time (uh..that's what she said).
Overall, great product for the price.
Customer Review: Better than I expected.
Summary: 5 Stars
I moved from a small row home with a tiny entertainment area to one that was wider, longer and better suited for a home theater. I already owned a 5.1 full sized system with floor speakers for front and back channel matched to a pretty big center speaker. Well the moment my wife started decorating she started saying she didn't want the big speakers taking over the room. I told her that big speakers equalled big sound.
Well we went to Best Buy to shop for a tv when she saw the speakercraft in wall and in ceiling speakers. They sounded so good and looked so cool I wanted them too, but $400 plus apiece I had to research for a alternative solution. Conveniently the non-magnolia (Translation:affordable) ones weren't hooked up for auditioning. So I started researching and reading reviews which led me to these.
I know no one should by speakers without listening to them but so many good reviews gave me great confidence.I called crutchfield and they sealed the deal. I bought 3 pair and used five speakers for five channels and my jbl pb12 for a sub. I must say that I first listened to them using my entry level sony str-dg510 which really didn't impress me. In fact I felt they were terrible sounding. I needed a second receiver since the sony was for my small bedroom anyway.
I bought the pioneer vsx-820-k and immediately saw what these could sound like. Wow!! We've watched Transformers, Monsters and Aliens. The detail and sound-stage are phenomenal. I will say that its much better for movies than music. I have another system for that.
I want people who can't audition them to have confidence that these speakers are quality and sound good. They even look great. Hope my review isas helpful as the ones I've read.
Customer Review: These speakers rock!
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased these speakers online from amazon. Thank GOD the order was stress free, since you can't see who you are dealing with. However reading these comments really help me in deciding to buy these speakers and others products. Now I feel obligated to other potential buyers to pass on a trusted solid opinion. These speakers really kicks hard for the money I paid for them. Unlike when I purchased mines for 113.00/pair they are now 147.00 or so. I am not an audiophile but with these speakers and a top of the line receiver, such as the Pioneer elite or any quality yamaha receiver you should be satisfied. My set-up was in my great room{living room} size 24 x 20 with 13 ft. ceiling. With three running up front, the middle one as my center channel and the two end ones for my front channels and three running in the back as my rear and one yamaha sub. All I can say is WOW!!! I can watch tv or movies all day, also the music isn't bad either out of the set-up. My only regret that I saved 35.00 dollars a pair on 8 other pairs I purchased for other areas throughout my home on another name brand. They are alright but I should have spend that extra 280.00 dollars to get these throughout my home. But when you don't know,you don't know! So I'm writing this comment so the next individual will know, and not go cheap after the wedding.