Polk Audio Signature Elite Speakers Might Be the A/V Bargain of 2021

Polk Audio have been quite aggressive with their Reserve and Legend Series speakers, and news has dropped on a brand new lineup called the Polk Audio Signature Elite speakers.

One of the interesting trends we’ve noticed over the past 18 months during the pandemic has been the movement away from the mid-tier segment of the market by some manufacturers.

There is a renewed focus on ultra high-end or entry-level products and we’re not sure if that’s great for the industry long-term. The middle and entry-level are important to us because that’s where our primary focus sits and where we think the industry will grow.

It’s not that we don’t want to see innovation that often trickles down to more affordable products — the issue is that we’re not seeing it from a lot of brands who apparently think there are 0000s of new customers for $20,000 speakers and $50,000 amplifiers.

Polk Audio, Sonus Faber, and Wharfedale are three brands that seemingly understand that creating excellent entry-level and mid-tier speakers are their best opportunity to build a new base of customers.

Guess what?

It’s working.

End of rant.

Back to the very affordable Polk Audio Signature Elite speakers that look like a great place to start if you’re operating on a tight budget for a two-channel or home theater system.

Polk Audio have announced the launch of the Signature Elite Series, a collection of “Hi-Res Audio Certified” and Dolby Atmos compatible loudspeakers designed to take maximum advantage of modern high resolution source material. Leveraging the latest advances in loudspeaker design developed and refined by Polk Audio engineers over the past fifty years, the Signature Elite Series is a maturation of the award-winning Signature Series introduced in 2016. 

The Polk Audio Signature Elite lineup includes three floor-standing tower speakers, two center channel speakers (slim, and full-sized), two bookshelf models and a wall-mountable surround speaker well suited for height channels in an immersive surround system. All Signature Elite models feature a stunning, modern industrial design available in black, white-washed, or contemporary walnut finishes to perfectly match to any décor. 

“We set out to take a great speaker line and make it even better” said Frank Sterns president of Polk Audio. “Signature Elite builds on the incredibly strong Signature platform and meticulously re-engineers it to maximize high-resolution audio capabilities as well as cinematic experiences for music and movie lovers alike.” Sterns added. 

The Evolution of Signature Elite 

Each Signature Elite model uses advanced driver technology, including Dynamic Balance optimized, mica-fortified, polypropylene woofers and Terylene dome tweeters alongside newly developed precision crossover networks. Additionally, Polk Audio engineers spent a tremendous amount of effort reevaluating and improving the cabinet bracing designs to further eliminate unwanted resonances.

All Signature Elite models feature Polk’s patented Power Port^® technology, which helps smooth air flow from the speaker’s down-firing bass port into the listening area. As a result, port noise is reduced, providing more detailed and extended bass response and a more open airy midrange than competitive designs.

The new Signature Elite design is also more sensitive than the previous Signature Series, making them an ideal match for nearly any amplifier or receiver—whether 4 or 8 ohms. All Signature Elite models are timbre-matched, Hi-Res Audio Certified, accessibly priced and built to exceed Polk’s rigorous quality-testing process. This ensures clear, enveloping presentation of audiophile recordings, gaming content or the latest Dolby Atmos or DTS:X surround soundtracks.

Hi-Res Audio Certified Performance: Signature Elite’s Terylene Dome Tweeter delivers crystal-clear, detailed sound, extending to frequencies of 40kHz and beyond. This makes the Signature Elite series ideal for the enjoyment of streamed music via high resolution streaming music services like Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music HD, Qobuz and Spotify HiFi, and also the soundtracks of Ultra-HD movies.

Custom Mica-Fortified Woofer: Signature Elite loudspeakers use an innovative mica-fortified polypropylene woofer providing clean, clear bass and detailed midrange. Their butyl rubber surround, ceramic motor structure and high-temperature Conex fiber spider culminate in a best-in-class driver offering exceptionally high efficiency, lower distortion, enhanced linearity, and durability.

Patented Power Port^® Technology: Power Portis a Polk-patented design that smoothly transitions the air flow from the speaker’s port into the listening area to eliminate turbulence and distortion for louder, deeper, more musical bass and a more open and transparent midrange.  Power Port typically provides 3dB louder bass output than conventional ported loudspeakers. 

Dynamic Balance Acoustic Array with Phase-Optimized Precision Crossovers: All Polk Signature Elite models use Dynamically Balanced driver designs which are optimized to reduce distortion at the extremes of excursion, resulting in greater impact and lower distortion when playing today’s high resolution source material. These new driver designs are mated to newly refined precision crossover networks to provide a seamless, lifelike soundstage with maximum dynamics for all modern sources. 

Rigidity Equals Purer Sound: Signature Elite loudspeakers feature new stronger, more rigid and acoustically inert Medite MDF enclosures that were refined through numerous revisions, subjected to extensive laser vibrometer testing, and then carefully reinforced to ensure optimal bracing and critical damping. 
Their resulting non-resonant construction has reduced unwanted internal standing waves, minimizing audible coloration versus the previous Signature Elite. Removeable, magnetic anti-diffraction grilles round out the offering to ensure listeners only hear the source material, not the speaker cabinet.  

Legacy and Quality

The Signature Elite Series is the culmination of five decades of unwavering devotion to premium speaker design by Polk engineers in the company’s original facility outside of Baltimore, MD. As a testament to their quality construction, Signature Elite Series has a five-year limited warranty to ensure countless hours of listening pleasure.

Pricing & Availability

The Polk Audio Signature Elite Series is currently available for purchase at PolkAudio.com, Amazon.com and authorized Polk dealers worldwide.

• ES10 Surround/Height Module – $249 Per Pair
• ES15 Compact Bookshelf – $299 Per Pair
• ES20 Bookshelf – $399 Per Pair
• ES30 Center Channel – $299 Each 
• ES35 Center Channel (slim) – $399 Each
• ES50 Tower – $349 Each
• ES55 Tower – $449 Each
• ES60 Tower – $549 Each

Note: The Tower Speakers are priced individually. You’ll need to buy two to get a pair.