Polk R400 Large Center Channel Loudspeaker User Guide

Polk R400 Large Center Channel Loudspeaker

Specifications

• TWEETER: 1 in (25 mm) Pinnacle ring radiator
• MID-RANGE/MID-BASS: Two 6.5 in (165 mm) Turbine cones
• OVERALL FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 36 Hz–50 kHz
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE (-3 DB LIMITS): 48 Hz–38 kHz
• RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER POWER: 20–200W
• AMPLIFIER OUTPUT COMPATIBILITY: 8Ω / 6Ω / 4Ω
• MINIMUM IMPEDANCE: 1Ω
• SENSITIVITY (2.83V/1M): 89 dB SPL
• TWEETER/MID-RANGE: 2500 Hz
• PRODUCT DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) (greatest overall depth, grille): 2 x 7.8 x 13.8 in / 615 x 196.6 x 350 mm
• PRODUCT WEIGHT: 8 lbs. /14.9 kg
• SHIPPING WEIGHT: 5 lbs. /17.9 kg

Introduction

The innovative 1″ Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter and two 6.5″ Turbine Cone Drivers in the Polk Reserve R400 Center Channel Loudspeaker produce ultra- clear, crisp highs, smooth, detailed middle, and easy bass.

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

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.

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

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings.

Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
10. 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.
11. 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:

1. Loudspeaker(s)
2. Owner’s Manual
3. Registration Card
4. 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:

1. The speaker will be inclined to settle on three of the four spikes leaving one spike slightly off the floor.
2. Determine which spike needs to be adjusted.
3. Use the included Allen wrench to turn the spike clockwise to lower it and counterclockwise to raise it.
4. As the spike contacts the floor, it will become more difficult to turn. At that point the speaker should be stabilized.
5. 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

Can the Polk r400 and in-ceiling surrounds be powered by the marantz nr1711 at 50 watts?****

The Marantz NR1711 is capable and will work well with this system’s design. With a sensitivity rating of 89db, the Polk Audio R400 center channels suggested amplification ranges from 20 to 200W. These requirements are well within the scope of the Marantz NR1711’s capabilities.

Will these fit in a cabinet?****

As a sealed enclosure that could function best in a cabinet, take into account the R300 center channel. There are two rear firing X-Ports on our R400. The R400 will function in a cabinet, albeit the bass may be amplified. To aid in the playback response, the majority of contemporary receivers will let you to choose a preferred crossover point.

Can any speaker be used for the center channel?****

For your center channel speaker, you may utilize any speaker (apart from a subwoofer), but preferably you should pick one with a horizontal cabinet form rather than a vertical or square one.

What distinguishes center speakers from soundbars?****

A single mono center channel is included in the center speakers.

Using just the central speaker is it possible?****

The center channel speaker offers excellent music on its own and does an admirable job of performance.

Should I play music through the center speaker?****

A center channel speaker is often not required if you are solely configuring your system for music.

Are the two bookshelf speakers reproducing the center channel correctly?****

Generally speaking, using two bookshelf speakers as the center channel is a bad choice since nulls might result in audio cancellation.

Is it possible to utilize the center speaker as a subwoofer?****

Mounting the center speaker directly on top of a well-designed subwoofer shouldn’t be a problem (the cabinet shouldn’t tremble or sway noticeably even at the greatest output).

Which central speaker—the one above or below the TV—is preferred?****

The main speaker should frequently be placed immediately beneath the TV. In order to imitate TV sound as accurately as possible, this should be at or near ear level.

Does the front speaker need to be louder than the middle one?****

No, the middle shouldn’t be louder than the fronts when everything is set up properly. The center is not louder as a result of the setup’s numbers.

How can I select the appropriate center speaker?****

Always seek out center channel speakers with a “three-way design” with a tweeter and midrange that are vertically aligned.

Why do the center channel speakers have two woofers?****

Because the center speakers have two woofers, the tweeter may be placed in the middle rather than on one side, which would again restrict the left-right soundstage.

Does the center speaker play music?****

If you are merely setting up your system for music, a center channel speaker is typically not necessary.

Can you just use the central speaker?****

Excellent sound may still be produced when the center channel speaker is utilised on its own.

Is the dialogue speaker in the center?****

The majority of people are aware that the center speaker repeats dialogue in movies.

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