Polk R500 Floorstanding Tower Speaker Operational Manual
- June 3, 2024
- polk
Table of Contents
Polk R500 Floorstanding Tower Speaker
Specifications
- TWEETER: 1 in (25 mm) Pinnacle ring radiator
- MID-RANGE/MID-BASS: Two 5-1/4 in (133 mm) Turbine cones
- OVERALL FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 32 Hz–50 kHz
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE (-3 DB LIMITS): 49 Hz–38 kHz
- RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER POWER: 25–200W
- AMPLIFIER OUTPUT COMPATIBILITY: 8Ω / 6Ω / 4Ω
- MINIMUM IMPEDANCE: 9Ω
- SENSITIVITY (2.83V/1M): 87 dB
- TWEETER/MID-RANGE: 2500 Hz
- PRODUCT DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) (greatest overall depth, grille): 1 x 41.1 x 13.7 in / 255.4 x 1044.5 x 348.8 mm
- PRODUCT WEIGHT: 0 lbs./17.7 kg
- SHIPPING WEIGHT: 6 lbs./22.5 kg
Introduction
The innovative 1″ Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter and dual 5.25″ Turbine Cone Woofers in the Polk Reserve R500 Tower Speaker produce ultra-clear, crisp highs, smooth, detailed middle, and rich, effortless bass.
The R500 provides unmatched audio clarity and clean and dramatic high- frequency response with Hi-Res Audio Certification, Dolby Atmos, and IMAX Enhanced. High-resolution audio formats including DSD, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, and MQA are supported.
Expect Great Sound — The Polk Reserve Story
Thank you for purchasing the Polk Reserve Series loudspeakers! Modern styling combined with Polk’s premium Pinnacle tweeter and Turbine mid-range driver deliver high-resolution detail and imaging. With our detailed, deep effortless bass, you will enjoy a whole new listening experience. Pure and minimalist, the Polk Reserve Series is engineered and designed with your entertainment in mind.
Having built a reputation as the makers of great sound for more than 45 years, Polk Audio takes pride in superior sound and build quality, which feature many patented and award-winning audio innovations. For Polk, building audio products isn’t just a job – it’s a passion – to deliver great sound that is accessible 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 your 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, Inc. 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
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.
CAUTION
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER- SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
- Read these instructions.
- Keep these instructions.
- Heed all warnings.
- Follow all instructions.
- Do not use this apparatus near water.
- Clean only with dry cloth.
- Do not block any ventilation openings.
Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
- Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
- Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
- Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
Notes On Use
WARNINGS
- Avoid high temperatures. Allow for sufficient heat dispersion when installed in a rack.
- Keep the unit free from moisture, water, and dust.
- Do not obstruct the ventilation holes.
- Do not let foreign objects into the unit.
- Do not let insecticides, benzene, and thinner come in contact with the unit.
- Never disassemble or modify the unit in any way.
- Ventilation should not be impeded by covering the ventilation openings with items, such as newspapers, tablecloths or curtains.
- Naked flame sources such as lighted candles should not be placed on the unit.
- Do not expose the unit to dripping or splashing fluids.
- Do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the unit.
CAUTION:
Use caution when unpacking speaker. Tweeter has a pointed tip and may cause injury. Replace speaker grille when not in use.
A Note About Recycling:
This product’s packaging materials are recyclable and can be reused. Please dispose of any materials in accordance with the local recycling regulations.
When discarding the unit, comply with local rules or regulations.
EU Declaration of Conformity
Hereby, [Sound United, LLC] declares that our product is in compliance with following EU/EC Directives. The full text of the EU declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address:
<EU/EC Directives>
RoHS: 2011/65/EU, and amendment directive (EU) 2015/863 EU declaration of conformity URL:
https://www.polkaudio.com/declarations-of-conformity”
Sound United, LLC
5541 Fermi Court
Carlsbad, CA 92008
EU contact: Sound United Europe, A division of D&M Europe B.V. Beemdstraat 11, 5653 MA Eindhoven, The Netherlands
What’s in the Box
Each box contains:
- Loudspeaker(s)
- Owner’s Manual
- Registration Card
- Magnetic grilles
(Speaker cable not included)
How to Connect Your System
To get the best sound quality, it’s important to wire your speakers correctly.
Wire Preparation
Follow the hookup directions included with your receiver/amplifier. Strip 0.5” (12.7mm) of insulation from each of the two conductors of the wire to expose the bare metal and twist each of the individual conductors into single un- frayed strands. Note that one of the terminals on the rear of each speaker is marked red (+) and the other is black (–). Make sure that you connect the wire from the positive (+) terminal of your amplifier or receiver to the red (+) terminal on your speaker and the wire from the negative (–) terminal of your amplifier or receiver to the black (–) terminal on your speaker. Most wire has some indicator (such as color-coding, ribbing or writing) on one of the two conductors to help you maintain consistency.
These recommendations are for all connections from the amplifier/receiver to each speaker:
Binding Posts
To connect wire to the binding post, unscrew the binding post cap and insert the bare wire into the hole near the base of the binding post. Do not insert the insulated part of the wire into the hole as this will not give you a good connection. Tighten the binding post cap until it seats firmly with the wire, but do not over tighten.
Connectors
You have several options when choosing connectors for your speaker wires, and it’s really a matter of personal preference. Three of the more commonly used are banana plugs, spade lugs and bare wire. If you know where you want to locate your speakers and plan to set up your system and leave them there, then bare wire will work fine. Just make sure there are not stray strands of wire that could come into contact. If you like to experiment with different speaker locations, spade lugs or banana plugs offer more convenient options when it comes to disconnecting and reconnecting wires.
Basic Floor-Standing, Center, Bookshelf, and Height Module 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.
Bi-Wiring (R700 only)
Bi-wiring can provide noticeable improvements in the overall transparency of your loudspeakers. After removing the jumpers, run separate speaker wires to the low and high frequency drivers from a single amplifier (the upper set of binding posts are for the high frequency drivers, the lower set of binding posts are for the low frequency drivers). Connect one set of speaker wires to the upper terminals on each speaker and one set of wires to the lower terminals. Connect the other ends of both wire sets to the same amplifier outputs. See amplifier/AV receiver user manual for configuration instructions (Figure 1).
Bi-Amping (R700 only)
Bi-amping allows you to use separate amplifiers for the high and low frequency sections of your loudspeaker for greater dynamic range and lower distortion. We recommend that your separate amplifiers have identical gain to preserve the speaker’s voicing balance. After removing the jumpers, connect the speaker wires from the high frequency amplifier outputs to the upper set of terminal posts on each speaker. Follow the same procedure for connecting the low frequency amplifier outputs to the lower set of terminals (Figure 2). Remember to maintain correct wiring polarity (+ to +, – to –) in all connections. See amplifier/AV receiver user manual for configuration instructions.
Bass Management
When using your Reserve Series loudspeakers with a receiver or processor employing bass management in a home theater, we recommend the following settings:
R500, R600 and R700: set to “small” when using a subwoofer and set the crossover frequency between 40-80Hz. If no subwoofer is present in the system, set these to “large”.
R100 and R200: set to “small” when using a subwoofer and set the crossover frequency between 50-80Hz.
R300, R350, R400: set to “small” when using a subwoofer and set the crossover frequency between 60-80Hz.
Rubber Feet and Adjustable Floor Spikes
Rubber feet and floor spikes are included with your Reserve floor-standing loudspeakers to anchor and stabilize the speaker on any type of floor. In order to expose the spike, simply pull the rubber feet off. The floor spikes can be adjusted from below and require two hands.
Note: If the speaker is stable on the floor, no adjustment is necessary. If the speaker is unstable, follow these steps:
- The speaker will be inclined to settle on three of the four spikes leaving one spike slightly off the floor.
- Determine which spike needs to be adjusted.
- Use the included Allen wrench to turn the spike clockwise to lower it and counterclockwise to raise it.
- As the spike contacts the floor, it will become more difficult to turn. At that point the speaker should be stabilized.
- Tighten the lock ring to prevent the spike from loosening over time.
Caring for Your Reserve Loudspeakers
Enclosure Finish
Your Reserve loudspeakers are finished with a premium vinyl. To clean the panels, use a soft dry cloth. You may use furniture polish if needed. Never use harsh detergents or cleaning fluids. Note: Do not use any petroleum-based cleaners or solvents on the loudspeaker cabinets.
- Do not use furniture polish on black gloss lacquer.
- Clean black lacquer veneer with a damp cloth.
Dusting the Baffle
Use a can of compressed air for the grille and/or baffle to dust. Use a “computer keyboard” vacuum (only on the grille, not the baffle).
Reserve Series Speaker Positioning
Placement Recommendations for the R300, R350, and R400 Center Channel Speakers
The most popular placement for your center channel speaker is below your TV. You may also place your center channel above your TV should you choose. The R400 center channel is very heavy, and we do not recommend wall mounting it. The R350 supports wall-mount via built-in keyhole slots, or it can be placed on a table or center channel stand. The R350 can also be utilized as the front left and right stage. If you would like to use these as lefts and rights, you will need to mount each R350 speaker vertically and put them on either side of your TV. Use the included wall mount template (R350 only) for assistance mounting the speakers. To maximize the sound quality of your speaker system, correct placement is important.
Warning: The logo for the R350 speaker is magnetically attached and can be moved from the center channel position to the left or right end of the grille when used as a left or right front speaker. Use caution when removing the logo, as it can be a choking hazard.
Note: Your Reserve Series speakers are compatible with basic/advanced 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1 and 9.1 surround setups (optional subwoofer shown in graphic) and all Atmos setups (ex. 5.1.2, 5.1.4, 7.1.4, 7.1.6).
Listening in 5.2 Surround
You can use the Reserve Series speakers as rear surround speakers in a Polk Audio home theater surround system. Ideal rear channel surround speaker placement is along a side wall, slightly behind and above the listening position.
Note: If you cannot place rear surrounds along the side walls, position them along 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.
Caring for Your Reserve Loudspeakers
Enclosure Finish
Your Reserve loudspeakers are finished with a premium vinyl. To clean the panels, use a soft dry cloth. You may use furniture polish if needed. Never use harsh detergents or cleaning fluids.
Note: Do not use any petroleum-based cleaners or solvents on the loudspeaker cabinets.
- Do not use furniture polish on black gloss lacquer.
- Clean black lacquer veneer with a damp cloth.
Dusting the Baffle
Use a can of compressed air for the grille and/or baffle to dust. Use a “computer keyboard” vacuum (only on the grille, not the baffle).
Limited 5-Year Warranty
Polk Audio, Inc. warrants to the original purchaser only that this Polk Audio Loudspeaker Product (the “Product”) will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five (5) years from the date of original retail purchase from a Polk Audio Authorized Dealer. However, this Warranty will automatically terminate prior to the expiration of the five (5) years if the original retail purchaser sells or otherwise transfers the Product to any other party. The original retail purchaser shall hereinafter be referred to as “you.” To allow Polk Audio
to offer the best possible warranty service, please fill out the Product Registration Card(s) and send it to the Factory, at the address provided on the Product Cards(s) within ten (10) days of the date of purchase.
Defective Products must be shipped, together with proof of purchase, prepaid insured to the Polk Audio Authorized Dealer from whom you purchased the Product, or an authorized service center. 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 Audio Authorized Dealer it is determined that the unit was defective in materials or workmanship at any time during this Warranty period, Polk Audio or the Polk Audio 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 Audio. 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 Audio. This warranty shall terminate if 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, Inc. 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, Inc. or a Polk Audio 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 the United States of America, its possessions, and U.S. and NATO armed forces exchanges and audio clubs. The Warranty terms and conditions applicable to Products purchased in other countries are available from the Polk Audio Authorized Distributors in such countries.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does it have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi?****
Speakers of the Reserve Series R500 are connected and passive. Neither a built-in amplifier nor Bluetooth or Wi-Fi compatibility is present.
Are floorstanding speakers good?****
Your sound system may be quickly improved with a good floorstanding speaker.
Do I need a subwoofer with floorstanding speakers?****
Most tower speakers do not require a subwoofer since they create adequate bass on their own.
Do floorstanding speakers sound better than bookshelf?****
Floor-standing speakers often produce the best sound, but most people don’t have the space for them.
How long will tower speakers last?****
High-quality speakers generally survive up to 40–50 years before displaying any indications of degradation, depending on the materials they are composed of and the climatic conditions where the equipment is utilized.
Do tower speakers make good surround speakers?****
Tower Speakers Can Be Difficult to Set Up Properly for Surround. Their tweeters are now at or very close to sitting ear height.
Do you need an amplifier for tower speakers?****
You will need an amplifier to power your speakers.
How far should you sit from tower speakers?****
For bookshelf speakers, aim for a distance of 4 feet, while for floor-standing speakers, aim for 8 feet. Too close speakers will cause sounds to muddle and merge together.
Why do expensive speakers sound better?****
Expensive speakers frequently employ more expensive components, but occasionally they’ll create whole new ones. Some individuals, for instance, think that speakers sound better when the music is originating from a single location in space.
Do heavier speakers sound better?****
Yes, little speakers could be more affordable and smaller in size (though not if you choose a high-end new one), but bigger speakers perform better than smaller ones.
Do speakers sound better with age?****
As speakers become classics or antiques, they grow much better with time. Electrical energy is transformed into vibrations in speakers to produce sound, and these vibrations create stress on the speaker’s internal parts.
Is it OK to leave speakers on all the time?****
A powered speaker’s overall lifespan will be shortened if it is left on or powered when not in use.
What do you need to use tower speakers?****
Tower or floor-standing speakers don’t need an amplifier, although employing one with decent speakers will allow for both greater volume and sound quality.
Are speakers better on the floor or on stands?****
DON’T forget that audio speakers work best when placed at ear level. The floor is not the greatest spot for them if you’re a stickler for sound.