Outdoor Speaker Test: Polk, PSB, Axiom

Any thoughts on outdoor speakers you want to share? I just got a shipment of new Polk and PSB and have them sitting on the patio for side by side comparison. I plan to keep the better of the two and return the other.

Polk Audio Atrium 7
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/atrium/#manuals

PSB CS1000
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/...tdoor-Speakers

The outdoor music setup includes:

Yamaha RX-V3900 140wpc supplying the power, HP Media Center PC playing lossless music with Windows Media Player, and Acer netbook - strictly for remote control use (AV Receiver volume and desktop controlling Media Center PC).


I also purchased and returned a pair of Axiom Algonquin because they failed miserably in terms of sound quality and build. Their performance was surprising since I had read several positive comments and reviews of the product, and the cost is fairly high for outdoor speakers. I took notes and photos, and will post them later if anyone is interested.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/outdoor_speakers.html

Observations that I noted when examing the build quality of the Axiom Algonquins:

Build quality was far from impressive - "cheap" comes to mind - and undue resonance would seem to be a distinct possibility. The speaker is modeled after the indoor bookshelf, the M3, with what appear to be the same drivers installed in a plastic enclosure. Tapping the cabinet revealed several locations that resounded hollow rather than the desirable dull thud of a thick-walled, very well braced, and insulated enclosure. It appears that the cabinet is comprised of six seperate pieces that are glued together. The grills are attached to the cabinet with cheap plastic male/female inserts rather than the common practice of using a snug fighting rubber post pushed into a rubber lined opening. Small globs and strings of excess glue where the inserts were attached.

After removing the grills, my eyes were immediately drawn to the silver roundhead screws holding the drivers in place. The cross-pointed heads were slightly sheared, apparently from screwdriver slippage during installation, and did not sit flush within the retaining ring. Not pretty to look at, but probably adequate for their purpose, the driver attachment just seemed to be one more indicator of sloppiness in the build quality.

skally,
I've listened to the Polks briefly with a few music selections and checked frequency output for both the Polk and PSB by ear using (no SPL meter) using tones from the website:

http://www.audiocheck.net/soundtests...ones_index.php

Both speakers are capable of low frequencies in the 40Hz region. Getting good bass depth was a concern considering that they won't have any room reinforcement on the patio. Thus far, both speakers seem to be adequate, but the Polk seemed to have a little more output. Have to admit. I screwed up withe PSB's when I first checked them out. The speaker has a vent in the face that I didn't unplug initially.

Those Yamaha's look like a pretty good outdoor, two-way bookshelf design. Without the benefit of listening, they seem to be a solid product. I think speakers offered by manufacturers that are mostly known for their receivers, amps, and players (like Yamaha, Sony, and Pioneer) tend to get a bad rap for their speakers. Pioneer's newer bookshelfs are getting a lot of positive reviews, but I wouldn't doubt they undeservedly get overlooked by a lot of folks. Just my 2 cents.

gtpsuper,

How about the lack of filtering. Axiom tends to omit crossovers, choosing to let the drivers roll-off naturally. I just read (today) the Audioholics review of the Algonquin by Gene Dellasalla. Thanks for clueing me in. My opinion though similar in some respects, was less favorable. Maybe if I had used them indoors with his equipment I would have felt the same way.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/s...-build-quality

Well, I'm not even close to making a decision. This might come down to splitting hairs.

I've never owned any PSB, but have read reviews of the Imagines, Images, and Synchronies. I own a pair of Polk Lsi 9 bookshelfs and they are very good speakers.

Two other models that I would love to try and may do so after I choose between the Polk and PSB:

Speakercraft OE-8 One and the OE-8 Three.
http://www.speakercraft.com/products...tdoor-elements

Both models are three-way design with eight inch woofers and 2.5 inch mid. Imp 4ohm. Sensitiviy 89dB. The "One" costs $280 each, utilizes polypro and silk dome drivers and the "Three" costs $350 each with aluminum drivers. It would be nice have that huge, numbing bass output that a few of the albums in my collection offer. Neither, the Polk or PSB are capable of that kind of output. I own an aged pair of Bose 301 speakers, circa early 90's, that I auditioned on the patio. The bass output from David Bowie's "Earthling" album cranked on high volume was super impressive. Think LFE in the living room and that's no exaggeration. I have a few classical albums that would benefit from that kind of output. Only thing is, those low impedance/sensitive speakers might kill my Yamaha.

I'm trying a new method of comparison today. I have the Polk on the left and the PSB on the right and alternate between the two using the balance control on the media player. Of course, this is rudimentary and doesn't address loudness level matching. The Polk is a little more efficient and, thus, plays a little louder. Decreasing the volume slightly soon after shifting helps a little. Wish I had a remote controlled speaker switch with level matching - that would be very nice.

Thus far, its a toss up between the two. The Polk is the better designed for use of use of a speaker stand. Weatherproofing is better with the Polk, since the PSB has an open bass port on the front. PSB recommends plugging the port in severe weather or installing under eaves.

Sound quality is a toss up. My preference depends on the music selection. The Polk has a brighter upper and mid frequency response. This attribute makes it slightly better with Classical Music. However, it is a little bit harsh with Pop/Rock recordings, particularly the those of lower quality. Not over the top, but not as smooth as the PSB. The sax on my Art Blakey Moanin' album is more life-like with the PSB, but both hold up very well to this poor quality recording.

Either way, they are both keepers and its going to be tough returning either.

I chose the PSB CS1001. The deciding factors were the PSB's slightly deeper bass, greater bass output, more dynamic sound, and less midrange and treble harshness with poor quality recordings.

On the PSB down side, the Polks were more efficient and therefore, played louder at any given volume setting. I didn't think that volume would make any difference in my decision, but discovered that the PSB's had just enough output to deliver acceptable levels with recordings that were recorded with low volume. When playing these soft recordings, I had the volume on the Receiver at the 0db point and the sound was no where near uncomfortable, just hitting the point where the sound is felt as well as heard. Going past that volume level, the speakers and/or Receiver begin distorting. The Polks offered a few decibels more where they were much needed. However, the PSB delivered more bass on those music tracks with thick output in the low frequency range (under 100Hz).

The speakers are resting on metal stands on an open brick patio, about 15 feet from and facing a two-story wall. The listening position is between the speakers and house wall, about eight feet from the speakers. In other words, sound reinforcement is minimal. Perhaps installing them under house soffitts with a closer listening position would improve volume levels. I'm not sure.

Also, the Polk had an affinity with brass instruments that when coupled with the added loudness made it a little more enjoyable with Classical Orchestra music (which often tend to be recorded at lower volumes, but high quality). However, this attribute seemed to magnify treble and midrange problems in poor recordings, which are mainly rock albums and a few jazz recordings. Crashing cymbals and high pitched snare drums and toms were harsher than when played with the PSB. These short-comings are very pronounced at loud volumes, but can be lived with at moderate to low volumes.

Wow, did I write all of that! Anyway, I decided that with my wide range of music preference, I would be better off with the more laid back speaker that offered a slight bit more detail. Though I would love to try the Speakercraft, I had to move on to other things and didn't test them..

Bill p, if you look at my avatar you'll see one of my vices. I regularly spend hours on the patio listening to albums, enjoying a cigar or two and a glass of scotch. Neighbors, no problem. Getting the most enjoyment out of the outdoor speakers (without needing a subwoofer) was highly important. And when the winter weather arrives, I'll move these guys into the heated garage and hook them up to my old Carver Integrated amp. There going to get a lot of attention.

In fact, I have a little regret at the present because I didn't try out the three way Speakercraft with eight inch woofer and all aluminum drivers.

I can see where my observations would be overkill for some potential buyers, but better to have TMI than not enough. Cheerio.

Pruckner,

How are the PSB speakers working for ya?