Polk Audio Bookshelf Speakers
- These are apparently “perfect for small room or multi-room applications” which seem like two opposite things, but hey, we’re not the speaker guys.
- Features a 5.25-inch dynamic balance mineral filled polymer composite cone driver, although we have no idea what ‘mineral’ they filled the driver with. We’re hoping for magnesium but will settle for sodium if need be.
- Frequency response is 60Hz - 24kHz.
- Was going to make a joke on the previous feature saying, “Sorry [insert number]Hz frequency, but your texts will remain forever ‘read’ but never responded to.” The problem is, I literally know nothing about frequency response, so I’d probably put in the wrong number of Hz and mess it up.
- Anyway, Polk is good, and these are good. The price point is nice too.
- Model: AM1575-B|4. Fine, it was AM1575 before, but what is it now, Polk??
For The Love Of The Price
Look at the many 4 and 5 star Amazon reviews for these Polk Bookshelf Speakers and you’ll see, over and over, some iteration of the phrase “for the price.” Everyone wants you to know that these speakers are great relative to their low cost. This might seem like a backhanded compliment, but we like to think of it more as a statement about expectations: these Polk speakers underpromise and overdeliver.
This, of course, sets us up perfectly for what we always do, which is offer the product for way cheaper than elsewhere. Because, think about it: if these speakers were ‘good for the price’ before, what are they now that we’ve applied our shrink ray to their already reasonable price tag? Are they excellent speakers for the price? Are they a stupidly good value? An idiotically easy choice for audiophiles on a budget everywhere?
And the cool thing is, no matter how good we tell you they are, your expectations remain tethered to the price. It’s just human nature. That’s why you enjoy the two simple beers and a tasty appetizer for less than fifteen bucks at happy hour, but judge the twenty dollar meat and cheese plate paired with a forty dollar bottle of wine. Or why the second round pick who turns into a serviceable rotation player feels like a steal, while the non-transcendent number one overall feels like a bust.
It almost makes us wonder how far can we push this. Like, how much can we inflate your expectations for these speakers without it backfiring?
Let’s try this: think of the restaurant approach. The food is obviously the most important thing. It’s the central product, and if it’s lackluster, your opinion of the restaurant will suffer. But it’s not really the only thing you go out for. You consider the ambiance, the mood, the layout, the service, and of course, the cost. In other words, you’re getting not just food but an experience. If you find the right combination of good food, a warm inviting environment, and reasonable cost, that’s bound to become one of your favorite restaurants.
Likewise, if you find a place selling good speakers at a great price, with a wonderful community, a unique sales model, and just absolutely mind-blowing copy, might you call this…
THE BEST SPEAKER BUYING EXPERIENCE EVER?
Okay, so maybe we pushed it a little too far.
