Overview
Quick Introduction to the Polk RC85i In-Wall Speaker
Polk RC85i InWall-Speaker
Introduction
The PolkRC85i is a highly regarded in-wall speaker renowned for its superior sound quality and seamless integration into your home’s interior design. It features an 8-inch dynamic balance mineral composite polymer cone with a rubber surround that produces a rich, deep bass.
The 1-inch dynamic balance, metalized soft dome tweeter with a swivel mount allows direct high-frequency control, ensuring a wide dispersion of sound for a more realistic effect. The Polk RC85i’s unique selling point is its moisture-resistant materials, making it suitable for damp and humid conditions, such as bathrooms or saunas.
The unit’s paintable, aluminum grilles make it easy to match your decor, thus enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your space. It’s easy to install and comes with rotating cams for secure, vibration-free placement.
Audio Quality
The Polk Audio RC85i is a high-quality passive in-wall speaker that offers exceptional audio quality. It boasts an 8-inch polypropylene woofer and a 1-inch hard-dome tweeter, promising a well-rounded sound experience.
With a frequency response range of 50-20kHz and a sensitivity of 90dB, this speaker ensures a balanced blend of high and low frequencies, resulting in clear, immersive audio. While it’s capable of delivering decent bass depth with a minimum frequency of 50 Hz, you may want to consider supplementing your setup with a subwoofer for a more profound bass impact.
The speaker’s nominal impedance level is 8 ohms, which is standard amongst stereo speakers, making it an easy-to-drive speaker. Overall, the Polk Audio RC85i delivers impressive audio quality, making it a great addition to your sound system.
Design and Installation
The Polk Audio RC85i is a 2-way passive in-wall speaker designed with a 1″ Hard-Dome Tweeter and an 8″ Polypropylene Woofer. It has an impressive frequency response of 50-20kHz, a sensitivity of 90 dB, and a power range of 20-100 watts. The speaker’s dimensions are 12.75″ x 8.6875″ x 3.5″ (or 324.0 x 221.0 x 89.0mm), making it a compact solution for most spaces.
In terms of design, the Polk Audio RC85i sports an in-wall cabinet type and includes white grilles, providing a seamless and stylish look in any decor. Its installation is straightforward, thanks to the accompanying cardboard mounting template and the user manual.
However, it’s worth noting that the speaker relies on spring clip-type connectors and does not support bi-amping or bi-wiring. The package also includes an online registration sheet and product registration card.
Given its power and compact design, the Polk Audio RC85i is an excellent choice for small to mid-size rooms. However, for larger spaces, a subwoofer addition might be necessary to supplement the system for better bass depth. Always consider the acoustics of your room, surface materials, and speaker locations for an optimal listening experience.
For a better understanding check out the YouTube Video published by House Stuff
Polk RC85i Speakers | Installation and Review
Adjustability and Customization
The Polk Audio RC85i offers remarkable adjustability and customization in terms of its audio output. It features a 1″ hard-dome tweeter and 1 x 8″ polypropylene woofer which work together to produce a broad sound spectrum.
The 1″ tweeter is aimable, allowing you to direct high-frequency sounds to your preferred listening area for a more personalized audio experience. Furthermore, the speaker’s frequency response of 50-20kHz permits the listener to adjust the sound to their preference, from deep bass to high treble.
The Polk Audio RC85i effectively delivers a customizable sound experience that can be tailored to the specific acoustics of the room or the personal preference of the listener.
Polk Quality
Polk Audio is renowned for its commitment to superior sound quality that has been fine-tuned over many years. The company’s dedication to impeccable audio performance is evident in their RC85i in-wall speakers, an embodiment of their commitment to “Polk Quality”.
The speakers are crafted with advanced technology to deliver rich, detailed audio. They are equipped with a dynamic balance cone (8-inch) for clear mid and low frequencies, and a 1-inch soft dome tweeter for sharp high notes.
The speakers’ moisture-resistant materials make them suitable for use in bathrooms, saunas, or even under eaves outdoors. With Polk Audio, you are not just investing in a product, but in a legacy of unmatched sound quality and innovation.
Comparison and Alternatives
The Polk Audio RC85i speakers provide an excellent combination of price and performance, making them a smart choice in their segment. These 2-way Passive In-wall speakers feature a 1″ Hard-Dome Tweeter and an 8″ Polypropylene Woofer, delivering impressive audio quality across a frequency range of 50-20kHz.
They have a sensitivity of 90 dB and an impedance level of 8 ohms, making them compatible with a variety of amplifiers. While higher-priced options might offer additional features or enhancements, the Polk Audio RC85i stands out as a high-value choice offering robust performance and durability. For those looking for an alternative with even higher sound quality and innovative design features, consider the Dali Phantom S-180, a game-changer in in-wall speaker technology.
The speakers’ in-wall design ensures a seamless integration into your interior decor. Choices in this segment are numerous, but for the combination of price, performance, and build quality, the Polk Audio RC85i is hard to beat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Polk Audio RC85i in-wall speakers deliver an impressive audio experience that meets the standards of both casual listeners and audiophiles. Its rich, immersive sound quality, coupled with the ability to handle a wide range of frequencies, ensures a stellar audio performance that enriches any media content.
The design is in-wall, making it a subtle addition to any room décor, and the moisture-resistant materials make it versatile for use in various environments. With straightforward installation and excellent adjustability, these speakers are user-friendly and customizable to your listening preferences.
Polk Audio’s commitment to high-quality sound and product durability is evident in this model, making it a worthwhile investment for your audio system. Considering all these factors, the Polk Audio RC85i is a highly recommended purchase for those seeking to enhance their home sound experience.
General Specification
| Model | Polk Audio RC85i |
|---|---|
| Type | 2-way Passive In-wall |
| Origin | Polk Audio |
| Intended Use | In-wall speaker for stereo sound system |
| Room Compatibility | Near-field: Average, Small Room: Good, Mid-size Room: Average, Large Room: Poor, Very Large Room: Bad |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB |
| Frequency Response | 50-20kHz |
Adjustability and Installation
| Sound Configurations | 2-way In-wall speaker with a 1″ Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8″ Polypropylene Woofer, Frequency Response: 50-20kHz, Sensitivity: 90 dB, Impedance: 8ohms, Power Range: 20-100watts |
|---|---|
| Tweeter Adjustability | The speaker features a 1″ Hard-Dome Tweeter that is aimable |
| Mounting System | Passive In-wall mounting system. Comes with a cardboard mounting template for easy installation |
| Grilles | Includes 2 white grilles in the box |
| Terminals | The speaker uses spring clip type connectors. Bi-amping and Bi-wiring are not possible |
Speaker Components
| Tweeter | 1″ Hard-Dome Tweeter |
|---|---|
| Woofer | 8″ Polypropylene Woofer |
| Tweeter Orientation | Aimable |
| Tweeter Level Adjustment | N/A |
| Woofer Cone | Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Dome | Hard-Dome |
Additional Features
| Multichannel Application | With an 8″ Polypropylene Woofer, the Polk Audio RC85i speaker can handle a power range of 20-100 watts, making it suitable for multichannel applications. |
|---|---|
| In-Ceiling Application | Its compact dimensions (12.7500″x8.6875″x3.5000″) and in-wall design make it a perfect fit for in-ceiling applications, providing excellent sound distribution. |
| TV Integration | The Polk Audio RC85i’s frequency response of 50-20kHz enables it to integrate smoothly with most TV audio outputs. |
| Dolby Atmos | Equipped with a 1″ Hard-Dome Tweeter, RC85i can reproduce high frequencies necessary for conveying the immersive sound field of Dolby Atmos. |
| DTS: X | RC85i’s wide frequency response and power range make it capable of delivering the multi-dimensional audio of DTS: X. |
What Are The Pros and Cons of Polk RC85i In Wall-Speaker
Pros
- Superior sound quality: The Polk RC85i in-wall speaker delivers high-quality, immersive audio with a well-rounded sound experience.
- Easy installation: The speaker comes with rotating cams for a secure, vibration-free placement and includes a cardboard mounting template and a user manual, easing the installation process.
- Versatile and durable: The speaker’s materials are moisture-resistant, making it suitable for damp and humid conditions like bathrooms or saunas. Its paintable, aluminum grilles allow it to blend seamlessly with your decor.
- Adjustable and customizable: The speaker’s 1-inch dynamic balance, metalized soft dome tweeter with a swivel mount allows direct high-frequency control for a more personalized audio experience.
- Compact design: Its small dimensions make it an excellent choice for small to mid-size rooms.
Cons
- Bass depth: While the speaker is capable of delivering decent bass depth with a minimum frequency of 50 Hz, for a more profound bass impact, you may need to supplement your setup with a subwoofer.
- Limited connections: The speaker relies on spring clip type connectors, and it does not support bi-amping or bi-wiring.
- Space limitations: For larger spaces, the sound coverage may not be sufficient, and additional speakers or a subwoofer may be needed.
- Lack of bi-wiring or bi-amping: The Polk RC85i does not support bi-wiring or bi-amping, limiting some audiophiles who prefer these methods for improved sound quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the Polk RC85i?
Q. What are the unique features of the Polk RC85i speaker?
Q. What is the frequency response of the Polk RC85i?
Q. Is the Polk RC85i suitable for damp and humid conditions?
Q. Does the Polk RC85i require a subwoofer for deeper bass?
Q. What is the impedance level of the Polk RC85i?
Q. How easy is the installation of the Polk RC85i?
Q. Is the Polk RC85i customizable in terms of audio output?
Q. What makes Polk Audio stand out from other brands?
Q. What is the power range of the Polk RC85i?
Where to Buy?
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