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Started By
Message
Polk Audio RC80i vs Klipsch CDT-5800-C II
Posted on 8/17/18 at 10:04 am
Posted on 8/17/18 at 10:04 am
As you may have seen in my other thread, I'm putting some ceiling speakers into my new porch that I'm building. I already have some Klipsch AW-650s that will be mounted on the shed in the back corner of the lot and facing towards the yard/house.
I am debating between getting the Klipsch CDT-5800-C II and Polk Audio RC80i. They're both 8" 2-way speakers. While both are technically inside speakers, the Polks are rated for moisture/damp/wet areas.
Polk:
$150
Total Frequency Response 35Hz - 20kHz
Upper -3dB Limit 20Hz
Lower -3dB Limit 50Hz
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Efficiency 90 dB
Recommended Amplifier Power 20 - 100 Watts per channel
Klipsch:
$300
Frequency Response 49Hz-23KHz ± 3dB
Sensitivity 95dB @ 2.83V / 1m
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms compatible
Crossover Frequency 2230Hz
Power Handling 50W RMS / 200W Peak
Recommended Amplifier Power 100 W
Obviously, the Klipsch would accoustically match my existing speakers better. But the Polks appear to be better suited for outside and are cheaper.
Thoughts?
I am debating between getting the Klipsch CDT-5800-C II and Polk Audio RC80i. They're both 8" 2-way speakers. While both are technically inside speakers, the Polks are rated for moisture/damp/wet areas.
Polk:
$150
Total Frequency Response 35Hz - 20kHz
Upper -3dB Limit 20Hz
Lower -3dB Limit 50Hz
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Efficiency 90 dB
Recommended Amplifier Power 20 - 100 Watts per channel
Klipsch:
$300
Frequency Response 49Hz-23KHz ± 3dB
Sensitivity 95dB @ 2.83V / 1m
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms compatible
Crossover Frequency 2230Hz
Power Handling 50W RMS / 200W Peak
Recommended Amplifier Power 100 W
Obviously, the Klipsch would accoustically match my existing speakers better. But the Polks appear to be better suited for outside and are cheaper.
Thoughts?
4
Posted on 8/17/18 at 1:22 pm to Neauxla
quote:
Frequency Response 49Hz-23KHz ± 3dB Sensitivity 95dB @ 2.83V / 1m Nominal Impedance 8 ohms compatible Crossover Frequency 2230Hz Power Handling 50W RMS / 200W Peak Recommended Amplifier Power 100 W
These specs seem to contradict themselves.
Sensitivity is a rating of how “efficient” a speaker is...ie, how loud a sound it can make on a given amount of power (measured by playing a 1kHz sine wave at 1 watt of power and measured 1 meter away from speaker)
A normal cone speaker ranges around 90dB, but horns (of which such a driver put Klipsch on the map), are very efficient, usually having an efficiency rating of 95dB to over 101dB or higher (at 8ohms).
The ones above show a 95dB sensitivity, and should be easily driven with a minimum of 30 watts...100w suggestion is very high power for such a speaker, horn or not.
Posted on 8/17/18 at 1:28 pm to Neauxla
I am using 4 Polk Atrium 8 SDI for outdoors. They have survived the elements and even the hose a couple times without fail. I am powering them with an Emotiva power amp (200w x 4)—-they will absolutely rock n roll if asked to.
Posted on 8/17/18 at 1:33 pm to Marco Esquandolas
quote:
I am using 4 Polk Atrium 8 SDI for outdoors. They have survived the elements and even the hose a couple times without fail. I am powering them with an Emotiva power amp (200w x 4)—-they will absolutely rock n roll if asked to.
That's nice and completely irrelevant to my question. Posted on 8/17/18 at 1:41 pm to Neauxla
Here, let me say it clearly...
since I am using Polk with great success, and even gave some detail about mine (and a pic to show just how exposed to the elements they are) and some numbers I thought were odd about the other ones you were looking at (klipsch), it is inferred that my answer to your query would be “”go with Polk”.
since I am using Polk with great success, and even gave some detail about mine (and a pic to show just how exposed to the elements they are) and some numbers I thought were odd about the other ones you were looking at (klipsch), it is inferred that my answer to your query would be “”go with Polk”.
Posted on 8/17/18 at 1:43 pm to Neauxla
quote:
Obviously, the Klipsch would accoustically match my existing speakers better.
Oudoors in an open area...not gonna matter.
Posted on 8/17/18 at 1:51 pm to Marco Esquandolas
quote:Yeah but your's are outdoor polk speakers, not ceiling speakers. I guess I was more concerned about:
since I am using Polk with great success, and even gave some detail about mine (and a pic to show just how exposed to the elements they are) and some numbers I thought were odd about the other ones you were looking at (klipsch), it is inferred that my answer to your query would be “”go with Polk”.
Will the Klipsh hold up in the outdoors and would I even be able to tell the sound difference between the 2 if I got the Poks since they are are on opposite ends of the yard. But yes, I hear those Polks you have are nice and almost got them instead of my Klipsch AW-650s but I got them at a really good price (Same price as Polks)
Posted on 8/17/18 at 1:57 pm to Neauxla
Does it have to be ceiling mounted? Can you get away with something like I have on my pic?
I ask because I was really surprised after getting my outdoor setup complete at just how full, deep, and loud these Polk 8 SDI can play (given good power).
Mine have been bulletproof.
If not, go with the cheaper...if they crap out in a few years, meh, it’s only $150 and you got a few years out of it.
I ask because I was really surprised after getting my outdoor setup complete at just how full, deep, and loud these Polk 8 SDI can play (given good power).
Mine have been bulletproof.
If not, go with the cheaper...if they crap out in a few years, meh, it’s only $150 and you got a few years out of it.
Posted on 8/17/18 at 2:16 pm to Marco Esquandolas
quote:They don't HAVE to be. I just like the clean look of ceiling speakers. And my deck is about 12' x 25'
Does it have to be ceiling mounted? Can you get away with something like I have on my pic?
Posted on 8/17/18 at 5:02 pm to Neauxla
Listen to Marco. With ceiling speakers you are also going to be bass shallow with no enclosed back. They will probably sound similar in such an open area.
Outdoor speakers aren't going to give you the best sound in general. Marco spent a bunch on his setup inside but used Polk outside which tells you something.
90dB is pretty efficient anyway so either would be fine. You just have to turn one up higher than the other to get the same loudness.
I would just find one that is enclosed, large, efficient, and moisture resistant.
Also matching timbre to other speakers doesn't really matter when it's the rear or outside.
Outdoor speakers aren't going to give you the best sound in general. Marco spent a bunch on his setup inside but used Polk outside which tells you something.
90dB is pretty efficient anyway so either would be fine. You just have to turn one up higher than the other to get the same loudness.
I would just find one that is enclosed, large, efficient, and moisture resistant.
Also matching timbre to other speakers doesn't really matter when it's the rear or outside.
This post was edited on 8/17/18 at 5:14 pm
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