The Polk Legend L600 (see image) is a bit more compact, and the Polk Legend L800 is a lot more powerful and immersive.
If you’re looking for a premium high-end tower speaker system that gives you audiophile-grade sound quality, luxury aesthetics aimed at music-lovers and home theater enthusiasts serious about their equipment, the Polk Legend L600 and L800 are worth taking a look at.
In summary, Polk Audio’s all-new Legend series of premium floor-standing tower speakers are the result of almost half a century of experience from their engineers who have managed to bring heavy-duty bass and pristine audio sans additional subwoofers. Both Polk Legend L600 and L800 offer fantastic sound and design that add genuine value to your listening pleasure. They are also large and heavy (the Polk Legend L800 considerably more so) and are aimed at the affluent consumer with a budget to spare. The Polk Legend L800 is the more expensive of the two by almost double.
Let’s go have a closer look.
Sound
Let me tell you something right off the bat.
Room acoustics, particularly room dimensions and speaker positioning, will have an immense effect on sound quality.
The impact of the combination of these two is actually so strong that in most cases, it doesn't even make sense to utter a single word on sound quality without speaking of them.
This is why I'd hiiiiiiighly recommend you to check out this simple, 2D, online speaker placement calculator.
It's GOOOOLLLDDDDD. I've had an Acoustics & Audio PhD build this tool specifically for this purpose:
Default values:
- Ceiling height: 106 inches or 8 feet 10 inches or 2.70 meters
- Most standard ceiling height
- Listener's height: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Average height of a sitting person
Central heights of speakers (measured from the ground) and examples to them:
- Soundbars: 30 inches or 2 feet 6 inches or 0.75 meters
- 8", 10" or 12" Subwoofers: 8 inches or 0.20 meters
- 360 degree speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Horizontal speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Floor standing speakers: 20 inches or 1 feet 8 inches or 0.50 meters
- Bookshelf speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
- Center speakers: 32 inches or 2 feet 8 inches or 0.80 meters
Side note: This tool can and will return inaccurate results for small, portable Bluetooth speakers such as JBL's Go Series. It will, however, deliver just fine for more powerful, packed bluetooth speakers such as this one.
ASAP Science made a video on the loudest and quietest rooms in the world. A mind blowing example of the importance of acoustics (time adjusted video).
Other parameters such as the age/materials of the building, the furniture & carpets in place, etc can and will, of course, have an effect on room acoustics, too. But much less.
Also...
Did you know you could also virtually hear any speaker online?
Crutchfield had recently created a tool that virtually simulates the sounds of many different speakers; such as those of SVS, Klipsch, KEF and B&W. Nothing will, of course, beat hearing the speakers in reality. But I'd still recommend you to give it a shot.
While you're at it, blast my Hidden Electronic Gems list to test them:
Anyways...
Polk Audio's commitment to innovation has led to its patented technologies like the SDS-SRS (Signature Reference System) and SRT (Signature Reference Theater).
Their latest top-of-the-line system, SDA-Pro, is featured on the Polk Legend L800, giving it a clear edge over the Legend L600, which seems aimed at a more conventional, stereo approach. This doesn't imply any slack in the actual quality of the Polk Legends L600’s sound as such. Still, the Polk Legend L800 definitely produces a more 'multi-dimensional' sound that feels like a more immersive experience.
It also comes with considerably more power to spare as well. So it's easy to see the vast difference in price between these two siblings.
That being said, the overall sound quality on both speakers sets a bar of sorts, especially in the bass ranges, where the combination of sheer power and clarity in these lower frequencies is extremely impressive.
Design
With wood-veneer finishes, these speakers definitely exude quality and exquisite finish. The overall aesthetic is classic-meets futuristic, which fits well in most living rooms. That being said, the Polk Legend L600 and L800 both raise doubts about their bulk and weight. These might be a deal (and back)-breaker for some.
Both towers also come with top-mounted, removable panels replaceable with the optional L900 height module speaker. Priced at $599 a pair, they go a long way in enhancing Atmos/DTS:X playback. A feature that definitely gives these an edge over their competition. Additionally, the interchangeable rubber feet and spikes help with stability once set up.
Color Options
- The Polk Legend L600 is available in black and ash grey
- The Polk Legend L800 is available in all black and brown
Dimensions
Polk Legend L600
- Height: 46.69" (118.59 cm)
- Width: 12.96" (32.92 cm)
- Depth: 15.9" (40.39 cm)
Polk Legend L800
- Height: 48.6" (123.45 cm)
- Width: 17.94" (45.56 cm)
- Depth: 17.38" (44.14 cm)
Weight
- Polk Legend L600: 77.8 lbs (35.29 kg)
- Polk Legend L800: 118 lbs (53.5 kg)
You can also answer a few questions to determine which Polk product is right for you.
Specs
Polk Legend L600
- Total Frequency Response: 28 Hz → 50,000 Hz
- Nominal Impedance Range: 3.3 ohms → 4 ohms
- Sensitivity (1 watt @ 1 meter): 86 dB
- Lower and Upper -3dB Limits: 34 Hz → 38,000 Hz
- Type: 3-way Orth Crossover
- Peak Power Handling: 300 watts
- Midrange Woofer Crossover Frequency: 410 Hz
- Tweeter Midrange Crossover Frequency: 2900 Hz
- Power Handling (per channel): 30 watts → 300 watts
- A/V Receiver Crossover Settings: Large (0 Hz)
Polk Audio's latest top-of-the-line system, SDA-Pro, is featured on the Polk Legend L800 (see image), giving it a clear edge over the Legend L600, which seems aimed at a more conventional, stereo approach.
Polk Legend L800
- Total Frequency Response: 24 Hz → 50,000 Hz
- Nominal Impedance Range: 2.8 ohms → 4 ohms
- Sensitivity (1 watt @ 1 meter): 87 dB
- Lower and Upper -3dB Limits: 32 Hz → 38,000 Hz
- Type: 3-way Orth Crossover (x2)
- Midrange Woofer Crossover Frequency: 370 Hz
- Tweeter Midrange Crossover Frequency: 2800 Hz
- Power Handling per channel: 25 watts → 300 watts
- A/V Receiver Crossover Settings: Large (0 Hz)
- Peak Power Handling: 300 watts
- Recommended Amplifier Power Per Channel: 25 watts → 300 watts
Connectivity
Both come with similar connectivity options and need to be connected to your devices through an amplifier. They also offer the unique possibility of ‘bi-amping,’ a practice where you use two amplifiers for increased power and clarity.
Price
At the time of this article, the Polk Legend L600 is priced at $1,749, and the Polk Legend L800 is priced at $2,999 per speaker. (Please check your local dealers for details).
Verdict
This is how the Polk Legend L600 and L800 stack up against each other:
- Design: Tie. But the Polk Legend L800 looks was more space age
- Sound: The Polk Legend L800 wins
- Connectivity: Tie
- Price: The Polk Legend L600 wins. But also offers considerably less power.
In conclusion, both speakers are worth your investment. But make no mistake, this is for serious audiophiles only. The Polk Legend L600 is a bit more compact, and the Polk Legend L800 is a lot more powerful and immersive.