opinions on polk blackstone 350 s ?

I'm looking at these as well. Would be using with a Denon AVR-1913 and would pair with either the Polk PSW125, the Polk PSW505 or the Klipsh Rw-12d. Mine would be a 7.1 set up with the TL350s as L/C/R and front height L/R (I have a pair of in-ceiling Polk RCi60s for rear surround).

I'd love to hear some owners reviews. I've read some commercial reviews from Sound & Vision and Home Theater Sound. Those are very positive, and I've yet to read a negative professional review of these speakers.

But, like the OP, what I'd really to hear would be some AVS forum user reviews. So if you've heard these, any feedback would be much appreciated!

I think that the 3-inch drivers of the Polk set you mentioned are far too small to produce decent sound levels for home theater.

IMO you would be far better off with the Martin-Logan MLT-2 system which sells for under $400 complete with a fairly decent subwoofer.

You might want to upgrade the subwoofer later, depending on room size and how much volume you want, but the four ML main speakers have 4.5-inch drivers which will give you much more sound; a better system in all respects IMO.

For a relatively low-priced receiver, I would recommend the Harmon-Kardon AVR 1700. Amazon is selling it for $278.

$299.99 at Newegg plus a $25 coupon code. Not too bad TBH

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882981013&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Home+Audio+Speakers-_-N82E16882981013&gclid=CI3zze3ug7UCFQsGnQodtgMA1w

The Klipsch RW12-D is the best sub in that group, by far.

I suggest that you start with a pair of the Polk Monitor 40 or R300 front speakers and a Polk CS20 and add additional speakers to that.



Edited by commsysman - 1/25/13 at 8:04am

Wow; that is quite a deal!

Have you actually heard the Polk TL350s or are you opining based on the specs? From everything I've read, they sound really good and put out very good soudn levels for home theater. But I haven't actually heard them and don't know if I'll have an opportunity to. That's why I'm looking for some first hand reviews. I need something small and unobjectionable to my better half, so the TL350s look interesting to me.

I have an opportunity to get the TL350s and the Klipsh sub for about $825, which seems like a decent deal.

Then again, the $275 for the MLT-2 system sounds like a great deal if that system is actually decent. Have you had a chance to listen to the MLT-2s?

Thanks for the help!

The MLT-2 is very good. Two of my friends have them, and they sound better than any other "box' system I have ever heard.

My experience with the Polks is limited, but my impression was not that good. The speakers became very strained and distorted when the volume was cranked up at all. The laws of physics still apply, and those are very small speakers. The amount of air they can move is small. They don't like it when they are pushed.

If you get the Martin'Logan system, it will sound good by itself.

If you spend another $200 for a Polk PSW505 subwoofer, you will make a significant improvement on that, and your total cost is well under $600.

If you have $825 to spend, there are certainly several better options than the Polk system.

For example, a Cambridge system consisting of a pair of S30 speakers, a pair of S20 speakers, and an S50 center would cost less than $600, and for $200 add a Polk PSW505 sub, and you will have a system WAY WAY better than even the Martin-Logan system.
Edited by commsysman - 1/25/13 at 9:59am

The Polk Blackston TL350 is a great speaker set.
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/review-polk-audio-blackstone-tl350

I would take them over the Martin Logans anyday

And you are certainly welcome to spend your money anyway you see fit.

Do yourself a favor and next time you talk **** about a speaker GOOGLE it and educate yourself

Yes the ML are a better deal but your information on the TL350's is wrong:rolleyes:

Ok, I pulled the trigger. Ordered a new but open-box Polk TL350 set and a Klipsh Rw-12d subwoofer. Total outlay = $824.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to have them up and running for a bit. I move into my new place (hopefully) the second week in February. But I'll be sure to come back and post my first hand impressions in case you're still considering your options then.

I purchased a set of the Polk TL350's along with a polk psw125 and a denon 1713 receiver. They are in a room that is 12x26 and the sound is incredible.
I originally was going to go with some floor speakers but I am glad that I went with the satellites. Even when I crank the volume up there is
zero distortion. Best investment I ever made.