Table of Contents
It’s not always easy deciding on the best surround system for your home entertainment. It’s not only the quality of the sound you need to consider but also the size of the speakers and the overall look in your room. Polk has an excellent range of speakers coming in all shapes and sizes.
Our focus today will be on the Polk S30 vs S35. We will look at all of their features from the design to the technology. After including a side-by-side chart and some pros and cons, we will choose which is the best speaker.
There are some similarities between the Polk S30 and the Polk S35 and this is where we will start.
Polk S30 vs S35 – Similarities
Quick Glance
The comparison chart below will give you a good recap of the specifications.
Speaker Design
Polk has made sure that the Polk S30 and the Polk S35 have both style and sound quality. They have a curved design, giving them a softer look to others. The grilles are anti-diffraction and have magnets so that you can easily remove them.
Power Port Technology
Power port technology is a patterned technology that comes with both the Polk S30 and the Polk S35. There are small ports at the back of the speakers that allow for enhanced bass.
The Tweeter
The tweeters of the Polk S30 and the Polk S35 are the standard 1-inch size. They are high-resolution terylene tweeters.
Crossover
The crossover is a crucial part of a speaker as it divides the unfiltered audio signals into high and low frequencies. The Polk S30 and the Polk S35 have precision crossovers with a crossover frequency of 2.5KHz.
Nominal Impedance
Most speakers have a nominal impedance of 6 ohms or 8 ohms, some will have 4 ohms. Though many feel this doesn’t reflect the quality of the sound, it does determine how efficiently they use power. The Polk S30 and the Polk S35 use 8 ohms.
Binding Posts
The connectors of the Polk S30 and the Polk S35 are single gold-plated 5-way binding posts. This ensures that both the sound information and the power can effectively pass to the speakers.
Warranty
The Polk S30 and the Polk S35 come with a 5-year limited warranty, which is actually quite impressive compared with many speakers.
There are still quite a few features that the Polk S30 and the Polk S35 don’t have in common. Let’s start with their size.
Differences Between Polk S30 and Polk S35
Appearance
There is an obvious difference in size and even more difference in appearance when the grille is off. That being said, they are both black with curved edges and the Polk logo on the front of the grille.
Polk S30
It measures 7.5 x 20 x 10.6 inches and weighs 20 pounds.
Polk S35
Though longer, it is more compact at 4.1 x 24.4 x 6.1 inches. It also weighs less at 14 pounds.
The Winner Is- The Polk S35
Read next – Polk S50 vs S55: Which Floor Standing Speaker is Better?
Speaker Type
They are both center loudspeakers with just a slight difference.
Polk S30
The center speaker pairs well with the S20 bookshelf speakers but is also compatible with setups from 2.0 to 9.1.
Polk S35
This is a left/center/right speaker. You can combine them with the same range of setups but pair well with the S55 tower speakers.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Read next – Polk T30 vs Polk S30: Which Center Speakers are Better?
Drivers
Here you will find one of the most significant differences and relates to the size of the speakers.
Polk S30
There are two 5.25-inch dynamic balance mica reinforced polypropylene drivers.
Polk S35
Instead of two, you now have six 3-inch dynamic mica reinforced polypropylene drivers.
The Winner Is- The Polk S35
Frequency Range
A good frequency range will bring out the best of the highs and lows, allowing you to experience clearer, crisp vocals as well as the deep bass. The human ear has an average frequency range of 20Hz to 20KHz.
Polk S30
The frequency range is from 53Hz to 40KHz.
Polk S35
You may be able to notice a difference with the lower frequencies with a range from 42Hz to 40KHz.
The Winner Is- The Polk S35
Read next – Polk CS10 vs T30: Which Central Speakers Are Better?
Wall Mounting
If the size is a concern, it does help to know if you can wall-mount your speakers.
Polk S30
There is no option to wall mount this speaker.
Polk S35
With a keyhole slot, you can mount this speaker on the wall, and it looks pretty amazing under your TV.
The Winner Is- The Polk S35
Read next – Polk S10 vs S15: What Are the Differences Between These 2 Speakers?
Pros and Cons
Just before our final verdict, we have included some pros and cons of the Polk S30 and the Polk S35.
Polk S30
Pros:
- Better vocal accuracy
- It’s a little bit cheaper
- Overall amazing sound for movies, music and gaming
Cons:
- It’s quite bulky
Polk S35
Pros:
- It’s a great fit in narrow spaces
- Great boost for left and right speakers
- Integrates very well with other speakers
Cons:
- It will take a while to hear the bass sounds
The Final Verdict
As with many of the Polk speakers, the value for money is exceptional for the Polk S30 and the Polk S35. We loved the design and they looked great as part of our home entertainment system. Your design and setup will make a difference. If you are looking specifically for a center speaker, the S30 will be better because of the larger drivers. That being said, we decided the S35 was the overall winner today. We were very impressed with the sound and we preferred the look of this speaker. The added investment for the Polk S35 was well worth it.