Polk Audio launches the Signature E Series-- an update of the Signature speaker consisting of all the components for a home cinema setup, namely a floor, centre and bookshelf loudspeakers.
The range consists of the S60e, S55e and S50e floor standing tower speakers, the S35e and S30e centre speakers and the S20e, S15e and S10e bookshelf speakers. All carry technologies from top-of-the-line Polk home entertainment speakers, bringing better-performing linear drive units, new crossover topology and improved crossover components. The bass tuning also gets refinement, while the cabinets are carefully crafted and braced.
The top S60e pillar loudspeakers have 2.54cm Terylene high resolution tweeters able to deliver 40kHz, while the S55e and S50e offer the same performance as the S60e suction loudspeaker. The S55e also carries two 6.5-inch midrange drivers, and the S50e has two 5.25-inch drivers. Further features include a four-driver (S60e and S55e) and three-driver (S50e) with tapered crossover frequencies, anti-diffranction grilles and double gold-plated five-way connection points.
The Phantom Reactor retains the same striking design of the Phantom, but within a form factor weighing around 4.5kg. It comes in two versions, with a 900 model offering 900W power and a 600 model with 600W of power. Frequency range reaches from 18Hz to 21kHz. A number of features from other Phantom speakers are included, such as Analog Digital Hybrid amplification, Active Cospherical Engine acoustic design, Speaker Active Matching algorithm and Heart Bass Implosion acoustic process.
The Gen 2i product offering consists of the Pulse Flex 2i, Pulse Mini 2i, Pulse 2i, Pulse Soundbar 2i, Node 2i, Powernode 2i and Vault 2i. All feature designs identical to the previous models, other than a change in grille colour, and feature the BluOS music management system. As such the upgrades are on the inside. For instance, they support 5GHz wifi, Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX HD (resolutions up to 48KHz and 24-bit) and AirPlay 2.
Aimed at customers curious about vinyl but unwilling to invest in a whole stereo system, the DUO is a small turntable with a reduced platter just 25% the diameter of standard turntables. The makers claim the belt drive has a "unique rotational stabilisation" able to reduce vibrations, with a wow and flutter (aka the distortion the turntable generates as it plays the record) of less than 0.9%. Also included are an Audio-Technica AT3600 cartridge and a spring-equipped tonearm able to generate a tracking force of 2.5g.
According to the company, the Klipschorn is the only speaker in the world to be in continuous production for over 70 years, and it has remained relatively unchanged since inception. The new Klipschorn AK6 it features a fully enclosed low frequency horn cabinet, with the enclosure functioning as a corner. A 1-inch titanium tweeter and a 90° x 40° Tractrix horn extend the output of high frequencies beyond 20kHz, and the passive network features AudioQuest internal wiring.
