Polk Audio has been manufacturing loudspeakers for over 45 years, and the California-based company continues to plow ahead with innovative technology that is both forward-thinking but also respectful of the company’s past. Those of us old enough to remember the aggressive marketing campaigns of the 1980s featuring Matthew Polk, have reason to smile with the announcement of the new Legend flagship series that features Polk’s SDA-PRO technology. Polk Audio was founded by Matthew Polk, George Klopfer and Sandy Gross in 1972 – all students at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Sandy Gross went on to found Definitive Technology, and GoldenEar Technology.
The Legend series is comprised of six models available in two real-wood finishes, including two bookshelf speakers, one center speaker, an Atmos height module, and two tower speakers. Leading the flagship loudspeaker line is the company’s L800 “True Stereo” floor-standing speaker featuring Polk Audio’s next generation Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA-PRO) technology.
The Legend series’ L800 tower speaker employs the latest generation of Polk Audio’s celebrated SDA technology, which Matthew Polk invented and debuted in the early 1980’s. The SDA design minimizes an audio phenomenon known as interaural crosstalk (IAC), which is found in all conventional speakers. Interaural crosstalk is natural distortion found in passive stereo loudspeakers resulting from speakers’ channels crossing before they reach the listener’s ears.
The Legend series models feature the following advancements in Polk’s SDA technology.
From the press release:
“Ring Radiator Tweeters: Decades of tweeter innovation, design and prototyping led to the development of the new 1-inch high definition Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter. Developed by Polk Audio, it delivers ultra-clear, crisp highs without unwanted coloration or distortions. The Pinnacle tweeter features a finely tuned waveguide, which dramatically improves the dispersion of high frequency energy ensuring a broad “sweet spot,” while the critically damped rear-chamber helps defeat unwanted resonances. Hi-Res certified, the Pinnacle Tweeter is designed for today’s two-channel music listening as well as multi-channel 3D audio found in music, movies, sports, and video games soundtracks.
Turbine Cones: Polk developed the new Turbine cone specifically for the Legend series to ensure the natural reproduction of the mid-range—the frequency range human ears are most sensitive towards. The Turbine cone combines Polk’s proprietary foam core and the molded Turbine geometry, which dramatically increases stiffness and damping without adding mass, resulting in a smooth, detailed mid-range and effortless bass.
Enhanced Power Port Design: Extending the low-end, the upgraded Power Port technology produces less port noise and more bass than traditionally ported loudspeakers. Polk Audio improved the traditional Power Port design by smoothing out the port flare, which offers a smoother transition into the listening area and adds multiple dBs of bass response.
Advanced Cabinet Construction: The intensively engineered cabinet designs add rigid bracing and structure to control vibration and eliminate unwanted audible distortion.”
Ideal for Immersive Home Theater Systems & Two-Channel Listening
The Legend Series is composed of the L100 5.25” bookshelf speakers, L200 6.5” bookshelf speakers, L400 center channel speaker, L600 tower speakers, L800 SDA tower speakers, and L900 Height/Elevation module, all of which can be used for home theater and two-channel listening applications. The line is fully compatible with today’s home theater audio formats including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X.
The Legend Series stereo products will be available October 1, 2019. The L800 SDA tower will be available November 3, 2019 at select Polk Audio dealers.
L100 bookshelf speakers (5.25”) $1,199 / pair
L200 bookshelf speakers (6.5”) $1,799 / pair
L400 center channel $1,799
L600 tower speakers $1,999 / each
L800 SDA tower speakers $2,999 / each
L900 Height / Elevation (Atmos) module $599 / pair
For more information: https://www.polkaudio.com
