Polk Audio
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Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (May 2007) |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Industry | Loudspeakers, Consumer electronics |
| Website | www.PolkAudio.com |
Polk Audio is a manufacturer of audio products best known for their home and automobile speakers. The company also produces a wide range of other audio products such as amplifiers and FM tuners. The company is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and in 2006, was acquired by Directed Electronics.[1]
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[edit] Background
Polk Audio was founded by Matthew Polk, George Klopfer and Sandy Gross in 1972. Matthew, George and Sandy met each other while attending classes at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. After graduating in 1971, the team collaborated on producing a sound system for a local bluegrass convention. Matthew designed the speaker system while George built the cabinets. After it was discovered the producers of the convention could not afford to pay for the system, George designed a logo for Polk Audio and attached it to the speakers. Sandy was behind the marketing of Polk Audio and also helped create Polk's worldwide dealer network.
After spending a short period of time dabbling in Pro Audio, Polk Audio turned its attention to high end home audio. With the release of the first successful model in 1974, the Monitor 7, Polk Audio started to become a recognized name in audiophile circles. Polk used a two way configuration on the vast majority of its speakers like the popular Monitor 10 and Monitor 12, typically with high performance 6.5" mid/bass drivers with rubber surrounds and passive radiators. The Monitor 12 was quite capable for its day, having bass response to 18 Hz, a free-air mounted tweeter and 500 watt RMS power handling. Later high-end Polk models used large arrays of these drivers and special cross-connections between channel speakers that would in effect send an out of phase (opposite) signal to the other speaker. This would in theory cancel the sound except for some of on far outside of the primary channel, which gave the illusion of a vast sound stage. The industry went a different direction by putting sound stage enhancement into the electronics, then came surround sound dolby 5.1, leaving the concept behind. Polk has also ventured into automobile speakers. [2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Phillips, Wes, Polk Audio Acquired by Directed Electronics, http://www.stereophile.com/news/082706polk/, retrieved 2007-05-05
- ^ Polk, Matthew, Soundstage! Interview with Matthew Polk, http://www.soundstage.com/interviews/matthew_polk.htm, retrieved 2008-01-12
[edit] External links
- Polk Audio - official Web site
- Polk Audio - Australian Web Site
- I-Sonic Entertainment System - Polk Audio HD Radio and Audio System
- PolkSDA.com - A fan site listing many vintage models
- Lasareath.com - 20 Year old Polk SDA SRS 1.2TL's rebuilt to new Condition.
- Polk SRS 1.2TL's in Action - Lasareath's Polk SRS 1.2TL's in Action
- polk-audio-sda-srs-one-point-two-t-l.com - Lasareath's other Polk Audio Site :)
