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The Polk Reserve R400 (see image) is the only one that is IMAX certified.
For those out to buy a center-speaker for your home theater system or just listening pleasure (these are not for studio purposes) under the $1000 mark, do look at the R300, R350, and R400 from the Polk Reserve series.
In summary, the fairly recent Reserve series from Polk is a line of loudspeakers based on some of the salient features from their flagship Legend series, albeit with a more affordable price tag and some unique features of their own. The Reserve R300, R350, and R400 are all center channel speakers from the series. All three sound remarkably balanced and clear and come with a legit high-end look and build. They differ in price and output power in ascending order (the R300 being the most affordable and less powerful of them all and the R400 the priciest and most powerful). All three are certified as Hi-Res. The R400 is the only one that is IMAX certified, though.
Let’s have a closer look.
Design
While the Reserve series doesn’t look as premium-luxury as the Legend series does, its overall appearance is definitely one that says 'high-end' at first glance in a quite surprising manner in this price range.
Those familiar with the Legend series will be no stranger to the turbine cone with the specially shaped fins inside designed to reduce unwanted resonances at higher resonances (the infamous ''break-up'' mode). More on that in the Sound section.
The overall look, though, is that of a solid, hi-fidelity center-speaker system that blends in as well into a posh, plush, leather living room decor as it does in a minimal, sparse aesthetic.
The removable rubber feet are a great addition as well, which help you keep it firm on smoother surfaces.
Color Options
The Polk Reserve R300 and R400 are both available in black and walnut brown. The R350 gives you an additional option of white.
The Polk Reserve R300 and R400 are both available in black and walnut brown. The R350 (see image) gives you an additional option of white.
Dimensions
- Polk Reserve R300: 19 x 6.8 x 8.9" / 482.6 x 172 x 226.5 mm (with Feet)
- Polk Reserve R350: 30 x 5.6 x 7.4" / 762 x 141 x 187.5 mm (with Feet)
- Polk Reserve R400: 24.2 x 7.7 x 13.8" / 615 x 196.6 x 350 mm (with Feet)
Weight
Sound Quality
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...
As aforementioned, the sound on all three speakers is extremely transparent, tight, clear, and focused.
The fins inside the turbine cone mentioned earlier have a lot to do with this. Additionally, the actual material used, which Polk calls foam core polymer, comes with a specific kind of density that adds to the overall stability of the build.
This results in seamless output at high frequencies with no break-up artifacts or unwanted noise even at high levels since the tweeter's bandwidth remains unaffected by any excessive movement from the cone.
Additionally, the intricate engineering of Polk's Power Port 2.0 in combination with the new, patented X-Port provides buttery, clear bass without any chuffing or distortion.
Frequency ranges on all three are broad and impressive (check Specs), making pairing with additional speakers a breeze since you’re not left with any holes in specific frequency ranges, as is often the case with cheaper speakers.
Specs
Polk Reserve R300
- Drivers: 2 x 5.25" / 133.35 mm Polypropylene Cone Woofer 1 x 1" / 25.4 mm Tweeter
- Enclosure Type: Sealed
- Ports: None
- Frequency Response: 65 Hz to 38 kHz (-3 dB)
- Frequency Range: 45 Hz to 50 kHz
Polk Reserve R350
- Drivers: 4 x 4" / 101.6 mm Polypropylene Cone Woofer 1 x 1" / 25.4 mm Tweeter
- Enclosure Type: Sealed.
- Ports: None
- Frequency Response: 75 Hz to 35 kHz (-3 dB)
- Frequency Range: 50 Hz to 50 kHz
Polk Reserve R400
- Drivers: 2 x 6.5" / 165.1 mm Polypropylene Cone Woofer 1 x 1" / 25.4 mm Tweeter
- Enclosure Type: Bass-Reflex
- Ports: 2 x Rear-Firing
- Frequency Response: 48 Hz to 39 kHz (-3 dB)
- Frequency Range: 36 Hz to 50 kHz
Check out the Polk Reserve Series Brochure and Comparison Chart in here.
Depending on your specific needs, space, and the size of the room, choose the Polk Reserve R300 (see image) for more compactness
Certifications
Polk Reserve R300
- Hi-res Certification: Yes
- IMAX Certification: No
Polk Reserve R350
- Hi-res Certification: Yes
- IMAX Certification: No
Polk Reserve R400
- Hi-res Certification: Yes
- IMAX Certification: Yes
Connectivity
All three speakers come with standard connections for setting up with your speaker system or using as standalone. No wireless options are available.
Price
While prices may differ depending on your dealer and location, at the time of this article, the Polk Reserve R300 is priced at $449, R350 at $599, and the R400 also at $649.
Verdict
This is how the Polk R300, Polk R350, and Polk R400 stack up against each other:
- Design: Tie. All three are intricately well-designed.
- Sound: Tie. That being said, the R400 is IMAX certified.
- Connectivity: A clear tie again.
- Price: The Polk R300 wins.
In conclusion, all three speakers are winners. Depending on your specific needs, space, and the size of the room, choose the Polk Reserve R300 for more compactness and the R400 if power and IMAX compatibility is your first priority.