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You don’t need to be an audiophile to appreciate the sound of a quality speaker. In fact, most people are looking for ways to start building their home entertainment surround sound or even just add on to existing speakers.
Polk has an amazing range of speakers to suit all needs. We are going to look at two, in particular, the Polk S50 vs S55. We will cover aspects like their design, sound quality, and technology. Once we have finished, we will include a comparison chart for quick viewing and some pros and cons.
On the technical side of things, there are quite a few similarities between the Polk S50 and the Polk S55, so we will start here.
Polk S50 vs S55 – Similarities
Quick Glance
All of the similarities and differences between the Polk S50 and the Polk S55 can be found side by side below.
Speaker Type and Design
The Polk S50 and the Polk S55 are full-range passive floor-standing loudspeakers. They have the iconic Polk curved edges for a stylish design. The grilles are anti-diffraction and can be removed thanks to magnetic attachments.
Power Port Technology
With Polk’s patterned Power Port Technology, the Polk S50 and the Polk S55 have a superior ‘heart-thumping’ bass sound. This is due to the small ports at the base of the speakers.
Tweeter
Speakers can have a tweeter from 0.75-inch to 1.5-inches, however, the standard size is 1 inch. The Polk S50 and the Polk S55 have 1-inch high-resolution terylene tweeters.
Crossover
Speakers rely on the crossover to convert sound information into high, low, and often mid frequencies. The Polk S50 and the Polk S55 precision crossovers with 2.5KHz frequencies.
Nominal Impedance
Not everybody considers this feature as relative to the quality of sound produced but more to the compatibility and efficient use of power. The Polk S50 and the Polk S55 are rated at 8 ohms.
Binding Posts
The Polk S50 and the Polk S55 have dual gold-plated 5-way binding posts. These binding posts enable a better connection for the speakers to receive information and power.
Warranty
The 5-year limited warranty that comes with the Polk S50 and the Polk S55 is very generous and a sign of the faith that Polk has in its products.
There are still some differences between the Polk S50 and the Polk S55 which is what will determine our overall decision.
Read next – Polk S30 vs S35: Which Center Channel Speaker is Better?
Differences Between Polk S50 and Polk S55
Appearance
Both of these floor-standing loudspeakers are black with 4 metal feet. The only thing that will tell them apart is their size.
Polk S50
This speaker measures 37.4 x 7.5 x 10.9 inches and weighs 32 pounds.
Polk S55
Depending on your setup, you might find the size a little too much. It is 41.5 x 8.5 x 12.5 inches and weighs 44 pounds.
The Winner Is- The Polk S50
Read next – Polk CS10 vs T30: Which Central Speakers Are Better?
Drivers
It is commonly agreed that the larger the driver, the better the bass sound, though effective crossovers can help.
Polk S50
It comes with 2 5.25-inch dynamic balance mica-reinforces polypropylene drivers.
Polk S55
The design and materials are the same, but the two drivers are 6.5 inches.
The Winner Is- The Polk S55
Read next – Polk S10 vs S15: What Are the Differences Between These 2 Speakers?
Frequency Range
It would be hard to find someone who would be able to detect the difference in the frequency range, but we like to be thorough. To put this in context, the average human ear has a frequency range of 20Hz to 20KHz.
Polk S50
The frequency range is from 33Hz to 40KHz.
Polk S55
With a difference in just one number, the range is from 32Hz to 40KHz.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Maximum Power
As long as you have excellent quality speakers that are efficient, the higher the wattage the more volume you can achieve.
Polk S50
The maximum wattage for this speaker is 150W.
Polk S55
With a maximum wattage of 200W, you will be able to get more volume before you start to notice any distortion.
The Winner Is- The Polk S55
Read next – Sony SSCS3 vs Polk Audio T50: Which Floor Standing Speakers are Better?
Pros and Cons
To help with the decision, we have considered some of the pros and cons of the Polk S50 and the Polk S55.
Polk S50
Pros:
- They look sleek, modern, and combine well with most other speakers
- Nice crisp sounds
- It’s a little bit cheaper
Cons:
- You may need to connect to a subwoofer to really get the bass you are looking for
Polk S55
Pros:
- You really notice the extra power
- Better sound quality with highs, mids, and lows
- Amazing value for the end results
Cons:
- A few people have received speakers with small damages
The Final Verdict
With regards to style, the Polk S50 and the Polk S55 are both stunning speakers with and without the grille. They are large, and the Polk S55 was larger than expected even knowing the dimensions but considering the sound they produce, it was worth it. Remember that you do need to keep a space between the wall and the speaker for the best sound.
The overall winner today was the Polk S55. A lot of the specifications were the same and it was a very close call, but we did notice more power with the sounds for all types of music and the bass was that little bit richer. When watching movies, the clarity of the voices was perfect. Though you won’t go wrong with the Polk S50, the Polk S55 is worth the extra money.