Speakers · Mid-range
Polk Audio Reserve R700
A three-way tower that measured within roughly plus or minus 2 dB on-axis at Erin's Audio Corner with real bass extension to about 40 Hz, so it can play full range in a medium room. It shares drivers with Polk's flagship Legend series at a fraction of the price.
- 3-way tower, dual 8" woofers + 6.5" mid
- 1" Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter
- 88 dB sensitivity, 8 ohm nominal
- 38 Hz (-3 dB), ported
Erin's Audio Corner measured it within roughly plus or minus 2 dB on axis with a well behaved directivity index and bass to about 40 Hz anechoic, which is what a front pair needs to play full range in a medium room. The dedicated midrange keeps the 8 in woofers out of the vocal band, so dialogue through the towers stays clean at volume. Audioholics called the Reserve line a clear step up from the Signature series.
Watch out: Impedance dips into the 3 ohm range, so pair it with a receiver rated for 4 ohm loads or add an external amp.
Pros
- Measured flat on axis with clean off-axis behavior
- Genuine 40 Hz bass without a sub for music
- Same tweeter and cones as the Legend series
Cons
- Low impedance dips tax budget receivers
- Sold per speaker, so budget for two
- Needs about two feet from the front wall
Specifications
| Type | 3-way floorstanding tower (sold per speaker) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 2 x 8 in Turbine Cone woofers, 6.5 in Turbine Cone midrange, 1 in Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 88 dB (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 8 ohm compatible, dips to about 3.5 ohm |
| Frequency response | 38 Hz to 40 kHz (-3 dB) |
| Recommended power | 30 to 300 W |
| Finish | Black, walnut brown, or white |
Specs come from manufacturer documentation and published reviews; check the retailer listing for the current revision.