Polk XT15 Monitor Compact Bookshelf Speakers Owner’s Manual

Polk XT15 Monitor Compact Bookshelf Speakers

Expect Great Sound

Thank you for choosing the Polk Monitor XT™ Loudspeakers. This new line is bold, stylish and quality built for performance. These high-efficiency speakers feature Polk’s patented Dynamic Balance® tuned drivers and tweeters for clearer highs and a more realistic mid range. The Polk Monitor XT speakers were designed to sound great and also look great; with the subtle accents, this product can live in any decor. Pure and simple, the Polk Monitor XT speakers are the true definition of “Expect Great Sound”.

Having built our reputation as “The Speaker Specialists” for more than 45 years, we take pride in our superior sound and build quality, which features many patented and award-winning audio innovations. For the people of Polk, building audio products is not just a job—it’s a passion. And if you’re going to remember one thing, remember this: We live by the truest principle of what audio should deliver—great sound at an affordable price for everyone!

Technical Assistance or Service
If your product was damaged during shipping, please contact the authorized Polk Audio retailer where you purchased your product.
For technical support, FAQs, and repair information, visit http://polk.custhelp.com. For a complete list of contact information, visit https://www.polkaudio.com/contact-us. Support email addresses and phone numbers vary based on the region where you purchased your product.

WARNING: Listen Carefully Polk Audio loudspeakers are capable of playing at extremely high volume levels, which could cause serious or permanent hearing damage. Polk Audio accepts no liability for hearing loss, bodily injury, or property damage resulting from the misuse of  its products. Keep these guidelines in mind and always use good judgment when controlling volume:

• Limit prolonged exposure to volume levels that exceed 85 decibels (dB). For more information about safe volume  levels, take a look at the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) guidelines at http://www.osha.gov/.

Product Disposal
Certain international, national and/or local laws and/or regulations may apply regarding the disposal of this product. For more information, please contact the retailer where you purchased this product or the Polk importer/distributor in your country. More information is also available at www.polkaudio.com or by contacting Polk Audio at 5541 Fermi Court, Carlsbad, California, 92008, USA. Phone: 1-800-377-7655.

This symbol on our electrical products or their packaging indicates that it is prohibited in Europe to discard this product(s) as domestic waste. In order to ensure that you dispose of the product(s) correctly, please dispose of the product(s) according to local laws and regulations on the disposal of electrical and electronic equipment.
In doing so, you are contributing to the retention of natural resources and to the promotion of environmental protection by the treatment and disposal of electronic waste.

Care and Cleaning
The only thing you should ever need to do to your speakers is dust them occasionally. Never apply any abrasive or solvent based cleaner or any harsh detergent. You can clean the grilles with the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner.

EU Declaration of Conformity

Hereby, Sound United, LLC declares that our product
complies with the following EU/EC Directives:

• EMC:2014/30/EU
• LVD:2014/35/EU
• RoHS: 2011/65/EU and amendment Directive (EU) 2015/863
• ErP: EC regulation 1275/2008 and its framework directive 2009/125/EC including amendment 801/2013

EU Contact:
Sound United Europe A division of D&M Europe B.V.
Beemdstraat 11, 5653 MA, Eindhoven The Netherlands

UKCA Declaration of Conformity

Hereby, Sound United, LLC declares that our product complies with the following UK regulations:

• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
• Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016
• The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012
• Eco design for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010

UK Importer:
D&M Audiovisual Ltd.
Cells 1 & 2 Kopshop, 6 Old London Road
Kingston Upon Thames KT2 6QF UK

Adding Adhesive-Backed Rubber Feet

To keep your Polk speakers firmly in place and prevent damage to floors or furniture, it’s a smart idea to attach the included adhesive-backed rubber feet to the bottom of your speaker.

Note :

• XT15 / XT20 / XT30 / XT35: You must install the rubber feet before using the product.
• XT60 / XT70 / XT90: Rubber feet come pre-installed.

How to Connect Your System
To get the best sound quality, it’s important to wire your speakers correctly.
How to Use Binding Post Connectors Loosen hex nut and insert bare speaker wire through hole.
Tighten hex nut down to make connection.

Note: Do not insert insulated section of wire into hole (you will not get a connection).

Basic Speaker Hookup
Make sure that the red (+) and black (-) connectors on your  amplifier or receiver connect to the red (+) and black (-) connectors on your speakers. If your speakers sound “thin,” with little bass and little or no center image, odds are that one of the speaker wires is connected backwards. Double check all connections.

Processor Mode for Center Channel Speaker
Note: Set Center Channel Speaker to “small” in your receiver’s Bass Management Settings.
The “bass management” or “speaker configuration” menus of most surround receivers offer the choice of “normal” or “wide” modes for center channel operation. In discrete channel digital  processors, these modes are referred to as “small” and “large.” Normal (small) mode filters bass frequencies from the center channel speaker and sends them instead to the front left and  right main speakers or to the subwoofer output (LFE) jack. Wide(large) mode sends an unfiltered, full-range signal to the center channel speaker. Use the Small (normal) mode for optimum center (and surround) channel performance and reliability.

Speaker Positioning

To maximize the sound quality of your speaker system— whether you’ve purchased XT15 bookshelf speakers, an XT30  center channel speaker, or XT70 tower speakers—correct placement is everything. Take a look at the following examples and give them a try based on the Polk Monitor XT Series speakers you’ve purchased.

Note: Your Polk Monitor XT Series speakers are compatible with 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1 and 9.1 setups (optional subwoofer shown in graphics).

Listening in 5.1 Surround
You can use the Polk Monitor XT Series speakers as rear surround speakers in a Polk Audio home theater system. Ideal rear channel surround speaker placement is on a side wall, slightly behind and above the listening position.

Listening in 3.1 System
Get the most realistic stereo image by placing speakers as far apart as the listeners are sitting from them. If room conditions require that you place the speakers farther apart, you may  choose to angle the speakers toward the middle to support amore solid center image.

Listening in 5.1 Surround—alternate option
Alternate rear channel surround speaker placement for Polk Monitor XT Series speakers. If you cannot place rear surrounds on the side walls, position them on the rear wall above the listening position.

Listening in 7.1 Surround
Enjoy added depth to your surround sound experience with four rear surround speakers instead of two.

| Monitor XT Bookshelf Speakers| Monitor XT Center Channel Speakers
---|---|---
Specifications| XT15| XT20| XT30| XT35
Speaker type| Standmount (pair)| Standmount (pair)| Compact Center Channel| Center Channel (L/C/R)
Tweeter| 1″ Terylene Dome| 1″ Terylene Dome| 1″ Terylene Dome| 1″ Terylene Dome
Mid-range/mid-bass| | | |
Woofers| 5¼” custom paper| 6½” custom paper| Two 5¼” custom paper| Four 3” custom paper
Passive radiators| N/A| N/A| N/A| N/A
Overall frequency response| 48 Hz–40 kHz| 38 Hz–40 kHz| 55 Hz–40 kHz| 57 Hz–40 kHz
Frequency response| | | |
(-3 dB limits)| | | |
Recommended amplifier power| 30–150 W| 30–200 W| 30–200 W| 25–200 W
Amplifier output compatibility| 4W| 4W| 4W| 4W
Minimum Impedance (ohms)| 4.1W| 4.3W| 4.1W| 4.2W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)| 86 dB| 87 dB| 89 dB| 87 dB
Crossover Frequency| | | |
Tweeter/mid-range| 2200 Hz| 3200 Hz| 2500 Hz| 2500 Hz
Mid-range/mid-bass| | | |
Dimensions and Weight Attributes| | | |
Product dimensions                               6.50 x 10.6 x 7.18in| 7.50 x 18.0 x 10.99in.| 19.9 x 6.50 x 8.13in| 24.4 x 4.15 x 5.55in
(W x H x D)                                       165.1 x 269.2 x 182.4mm| 190.5 x 330.0 x 279.3mm| 482.6 x 165.1 x 206.6mm| 619.7 x 105.4 x 141.0mm
Greatest overall depth (including grille)| | |
Product weight (each)| | |
Cabinetry| | |
Mid-range enclosure type| | |
Mid-bass/woofer enclosure type| | |
Available finishes                                       Matte Black| Matte Black| Matte Black| Matte Black
Feet                                                   Yes, supplied in box| Yes, supplied in box| Yes, supplied in box| Yes, supplied in box
Wall-mountable?                                              No| No| No| Yes
Binding posts                                       Nickel-plated 5-way| Nickel-plated 5-way| Nickel-plated 5-way| Nickel-plated 5-way
binding posts| binding posts| binding posts| binding posts
Accessories| | | |
Designed for XT90 speaker| N/A| Yes| N/A| N/A
Certifications (non-safety and regulatory)| | | |
Hi-res certified| Yes| Yes| Yes| Yes
| | | |
| Monitor XT Floor standing Speakers| Monitor XT Height Module Speaker|
---|---|---|---
Specifications| XT60| XT70| XT90
Speaker type| Floor standing Loudspeaker| Floor standing Loudspeaker| Height Module (pair)
Tweeter| 1″ Terylene Dome| 1″ Terylene Dome| N/A
Mid-range/mid-bass| | |
Woofers| 6!” custom paper| Two 6!” custom paper| 4” custom paper
Passive radiators| Two 6!” PRs| Two 8” PRs| N/A
Overall frequency response| 38 Hz–40 kHz| 35 Hz–40 kHz| 94 Hz–22 kHz
Frequency response (-3 dB limits)| 43 Hz–26 kHz| 41 Hz–26 kHz| 164 Hz–17 kHz
Recommended amplifier power| 25–200 W| 25–200 W| 30–100 W
Amplifier output compatibility| 4W| 4W| 4W
Minimum impedance| 4.4W| 4.4W| 4.4W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)| 86 dB| 89 dB| 89 dB
Crossover Frequency
Tweeter/mid-range| 2200 Hz| 2700 Hz| 2700 Hz
Mid-range/mid-bass| | |
Dimensions and Weight Attributes
Product dimensions (W x H x D)| 7.50 x 36.4 x 9.09in 190.5 x 925.0 x 230.8mm| 9.25 x 40.4 x 12.5in. 235 x 1026.6 x 317.9mm| 7.50 x 5.64 x 8.38in 190.5 x 143.2 x 212.9mm
Greatest overall depth (including grille)| | |
Product weight (each)| | |
Cabinetry
Product dimensions (W x H x D)| 7.50 x 36.4 x 9.09in 190.5 x 925.0 x 230.8mm| 9.25 x 40.4 x 12.5in. 235 x 1026.6 x 317.9mm| 7.50 x 5.64 x 8.38in 190.5 x 143.2 x 212.9mm
Greatest overall depth (including grille)| | |
Product weight (each)| | |
Cabinetry
Mid-range enclosure type| | |
Mid-bass/woofer enclosure type| | |
Available finishes| Matte Black| Matte Black| Matte Black
Feet| Rubber pads| Rubber pad| Rubber pads
Wall-mountable?| No| No| Yes
Binding posts| Nickel-plated 5-way binding posts| Nickel-plated 5-way binding posts| Nickel-plated 5-way binding posts
Accessories
Designed for XT90 speaker| Yes| Yes| N/A
Certifications (non-safety and regulatory)
Hi-res certified| Yes| Yes| No

Limited 5-Year Warranty

Polk Audio, LLC (hereinafter “Polk” or “Polk Audio”) provides this limited warranty to the original retail purchaser only.
This warranty will terminate automatically prior to its stated expiration if the original retail purchaser sells or transfers the Product to any other party.

Polk Audio warrants to the original retail purchaser only, that the loudspeaker(s), passive crossover component(s) and enclosure (“Product”) will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of five (5) years from the date of original retail purchase from a Polk Audio Authorized Dealer.

To allow Polk to offer the best possible warranty service, please register your new Product online at: www.polkaudio.com/ registration or call Polk customer service at 800-377-7655 in the USA and Canada within ten (10) days of the date of original purchase. Be sure to keep your original purchase receipt.
Defective Products must be shipped, together with proof of purchase, prepaid insured to the Polk Authorized Dealer from whom you purchased the Product, or to the Factory at 5541 Fermi Court; Carlsbad, CA 92008. Products must be shipped in the original shipping container or its equivalent; in any case  the risk of loss or damage in transit is to be borne by you. If upon examination at the factory or Polk Authorized Dealer it is determined that the unit was defective in materials or workmanship at any time during this warranty period, Polk or the Polk Authorized Dealer will, at its option, repair or replace this Product at no additional charge, except as set forth below.
All replaced parts and Products become the property of Polk. Products replaced or repaired under this warranty will be returned to you, within a reasonable time, freight prepaid.

This warranty does not include service or parts to repair damage caused by accident, disaster, misuse, abuse, negligence, inadequate packing or shipping procedures, commercial use, voltage inputs in excess of the rated maximum of the unit, cosmetic appearance of cabinetry not directly attributable to defect in materials or workmanship, or service, repair, or modification of the Product which has not been authorized or approved by Polk. This warranty shall terminate if purchased from an unauthorized dealer or if any of the serial number on the Product has been removed, tampered with or defaced.

This warranty is in lieu of all other expressed warranties. If this Product is defective in materials or workmanship as warranted above, your sole remedy shall be repair or replacement as provided above. In no event will Polk Audio be liable to you for any incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the Product, even if Polk Audio or a Polk Authorized Dealer has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you.

All implied warranties on this Product are limited to the duration of this expressed warranty. Some states do not allow limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you also may have other rights which vary from state to state.

This warranty applies only to Products purchased in Canada, the United States of America, its possessions, and U.S. and NATO armed forces exchanges. Please see the warranty guide specific to Polk Products purchased in countries or territories not referenced herein.

References

• Find Answers
• Find Answers
• Polk Audio® | Great Sound for All
• Home | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Polk Audio® | Great Sound for All
• Polk Audio® | Great Sound for All
• polkaudio.com/registration

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