Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Polk Audio TSi100 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker with 5-1/4" Driver

Top positive review

If you want great, natural sound, get these!

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2011

These speakers look amazing and sound even better! I think the wood grain ones look better, but the black ones matched the rest of my Polk speakers and the furniture in my room.

The looks:
The top is a nice shiny piano black. The speakers are slightly larger than the average bookshelf, They are definitely deeper than most speakers this size, but height and width is normal. They really do look nice and are decently heavy. The rest of the speaker is typical wood grain black but they are nice and thick.

The features:
It has a nice wall mount bracket with rubber bumpers towards the bottom that keeps the speaker away from the wall a bit and straight. The bracket is metal and very secure. You can use banana plugs on the screw in posts, just remove the covers from the top of the posts.

And most importantly, the sound:
My first impression was, "wow". I just got these, so they are still breaking in. But these speakers have a very natural sound to them. I absolutely love the sound of these TSi 100 speakers. very clear and crisp and surprising bass for a bookshelf. These blow away the Fluance AV-HTB Towers (which I returned) and the Sony SS-MF550H tower speakers they replaced. If you have more money, I would maybe suggest the TSi 200 speakers for more bass (especially if you have no subwoofer) but these work great as mains for my 7.1 system. My setup:

Polk Audio TSi 100 (these): Main speakers
Polk Audio CS10: Center
Polk Audio R15: Side surrounds
Polk Audio RM6751: Rear Surround
BIC America V1020 10" down-firing subwoofer

These are hooked up to an Onkyo SR-706 receiver and the speakers are placed 6' apart at ear level on either side of my 40" Samsung LCD. The room is 10x12' and I sit on the bed on the middle of the room. the side surrounds are 5' away at ear level at my listening position and the rear surrounds are 6' apart at ear level and I tried making it so they are perfectly even with the mains. To get the best sound, generally you want speakers to be at ear level or slightly below (thought some speakers sound better with toe in, or other alignments).

In stereo mode, I put on Journey's "Separate Ways" and the keyboards, guitar, and vocals were unbelievably natural and clear. The stereo imaging of these speakers is exceptional. The fact these speakers had no break in time is amazing and it will only get better from here. They are not as bright as the R15's (though the character may change once they are broken in) but they sound better overall and have a very natural sound. Everything sounds as it should! I think the R15;s sound amazing too but definitely think these sound more natural.

In 7.1 (Dolby Prologic IIx) mode, I played it again and wow...the system as a whole sounds amazing! But these speakers capture every sound and wow, so natural. I like listening to music in 7.1 surround (little odd to some maybe, but that's my preference.)

Keeping it in 7.1, I played VNV Nation "Solitary" and wow...these speakers make the song sound way better than my former Sony/Fluance setup. I expected them to, but these are some of the most natural sounding speakers I have ever heard. My friend has $500/each Klipsch speakers and I would not trade his speakers for mine! These speakers are a steal for this price!

Acoustic, Rock, Slow, Electronic, video games, and movies; these speakers do it all. These are some of my favorite speakers and pretty unbeatable in this price range. I have heard Sony, Klipsch, Onkyo, Bose, Infinity, Fluance, and Apherion audio. The only ones I would prefer to these are the Apherions but they are much more money and not that much better. The Klipsch are too bright (sound good but too bright after a while) and all others did not sound as good.

The bottom line? Buy these now if you want some amazing speakers for a decent price. There are better speakers, but you will spend a lot more for them. For a bigger room, you may want to go with TSi towers (300, 400, etc.) but with a subwoofer, these have a lot of bass for a medium sized speaker.

I hope this review was helpful, I will update this in about a week or two, then they have had more of a chance to break in.

23 people found this helpful

Top critical review

Critical reviews›

Ralph

room style can affact a lot.

Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2022

i had these initially with a single polk psw-10 sub with various micro-compononts (ayima ao7, t8 and some bellari sound enhancement devices and was...dissatisfied. these were in an 1000 sq basement with concrete walls (though with a bit of acoustic foam) and just they just had a 'missing middle' that left voice out and just bled amplified instruments all over the place and a terrible -coughy- rear bass port and seemingly hissy highs. i didnt want to buy another pair of speakers so the tweaks began. first, plug up the rear port...if polk calls it called a tuned port i would dispute the claim (see photo). to me it seemed to cough out bass...ugh. i then got a second sub, these speakers really need at least one sub and the psw-10 is reasonable....i set the crossover on the sub at about 120hz. i got some cheap 18" tempered glass and metal stands and placed them on my subs with the tsi-100s on top of the stands and toed them out just a bit in an attempt to just make a 3-way-ish speaker. once i got the subwoofer volume in a good universal level they have started to really shine in my particular location....padded floor, 1000 sq ft basement with concrete walls (a house not a sanitarium). tom-tom ish percussion is beginning to bloom with crispness and chordy electric guitar plays well now with other demanding frequencies....sax and bass clarinet on coltrane's india is close to stage-like. they can be a good value but room style is a persistent factor and to me at least one sub is necessary for proper sound and the built in tsi port needs muting.

574 total ratings, 373 with reviews

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From the United States

Rick S

If you want great, natural sound, get these!

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2011

Verified Purchase

23 people found this helpful

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Wayne R. Crauder

Good value

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2023

Verified Purchase

I use these with an amp for music. I know the sound is limited on the low evd as expected in this price and size. The strong point is placement is not critical. Mane ported speakers get a bass boom near the wall and lose some of the soundstage and imaging. These do not and are just right for an apartment room. The actually sound better with the grill on which is unusual but great if you have kids who like to poke thing. I have them on stands. Due to the wave guide thing in the grill, these actually are better when set lower than normal. Which makes them a true bookshelf speaker that sounds good in a bookshelf. I might suggest a sub to go with them for music. These are all about value and convenience. The sound for the price is very good and stays good no matter where you put them.

One person found this helpful

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Comdet

Great as front speakers with Polk S35 center; outstanding value; solid build quality

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2021

Verified Purchase

I'm very pleased with these speakers. I'm using them as the front speakers in a 7.1 setup with a Polk S35 as the center speaker (and older KEF speakers as the surrounds and subwoofer). Could not be more pleased with the performance. They are crisp and clean, but have enough bass that, along with the S35, a sub is not critical (but is valuable to have for best performance). The build quality is excellent, and the size is nice and compact.

I tried the ES15 and ES20 and, while they are technically better, these Tsi100 provide me with 95% of the performance but at a much nicer price and a more compact size. It integrates very well with the ES35 center even though it's a different Polk speaker line. I'm using an Onkyo receiver.

Very pleased with all aspects of these speakers -- a solid 5 stars.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Absolutely Phenomenal

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2012

Verified Purchase

I got an Onkyo S3400 all-in-one 5.1 home theater system with a receiver and everything as a gift. I don't have room for the rear speakers so I figured I should get some decent bookshelf speakers to replace my L&R channels. Polk's center channels are too large for my current setup, so really the only thing to upgrade were the left and right channels.

I could not be more pleased. These bad boys sound EXTREMELY crisp, even at high volumes. The best part is the clarity--you don't need to blow out your eardrums just to hear all the fidelity of the music! I also have to say, after taking the front grilles off, these guys look so much cooler. I LOVE watching the woofers wobble back and forth when I throw on a bass-heavy song. They don't have a ton of bass, at least not the kind of bass that creates an atmosphere, or a presence - that's what the subwoofer is for. My crossover frequency is at 150Hz, the max my unpowered subwoofer can do.

I feel like I'm hearing new depth in all my music. I have some decent headphones (Sennheiser HD280s) that I use with a portable Fiio E5 amp, but for some reason my stereo system sounds so much better. Perhaps it's because I'm not restricted by a cable.

The quality of these speakers really blows me away. Even after having them for 3 weeks, my ears are drowned in pleasure every time I throw some music on. It probably limits my productivity. I can really get into the music with these guys. If you had any doubts, cast them aside. These are the perfect balance of size, sound, and cost.

EDIT: Was gonna write a review to say how amazing these sound after 8 months and found out I already wrote one! Everything sounds fantastic on these speakers. Throw a subwoofer into the mix and you have an extremely immersive experience. I cannot get enough of them. The highs are so crisp. I'm listening to Infected Mushroom right now -- I highly recommend something like this for these speakers. Stuff like pop, rap, or rock don't do them justice. Find some trance or dance music. That's where these really shine. The soundstage is engaging, like you're in the song. It doesn't sound like it's in front of you, or around you -- you're IN the song.

You deserve these speakers.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Hugh Oliver

They Sound More Expensive than They Cost

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2022

Verified Purchase

Recently, one of my Polk Rti4 speakers developed a bad tweeter. I decided to take a chance on the Tsi100s because they are considered the middle of the Polk speaker line, whereas the Rti are or were supposed to be one down from the top of the line. Imagine my surprise when I found that the Tsi speakers are actually nearly as present, more detailed, and just as realistic in their sound quality as my 11-year-old Rti4 system. I can only assume that Polk has upgraded their entire speaker line and that is why the Tsi100 sound so good.

A word of advice: Give the speakers about 10 hours of break-in time. They do initially sound bright and
metallic, but after a 10-hour use period they sound really good.

I have these paired with a Polk PSW10 subwoofer, which is a must in order to have a full balance to the
sound. With the PSW10, organ recordings sound excellent, bass drum in Stravinsky's Firebird has
depth and punch, and the low bass content in Donald Fagen's Kamakiriad is most satisfying.

These speakers sound like a more expensive product and I recommend them. A good buy, especially if you are on a budget. You will not regret it.

3-22-23 update:
Speakers still fine and still regarded as a good buy.
They are sensitive to placement.
I've noticed that by moving them to within 18 inches from a wall the mids and lows are both improved.

8 people found this helpful

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L.G. Pioneer

Best For The $$$ Bookshelf Speaker Sold Today

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2017

Verified Purchase

I just purchased my fourth and fifth pairs of these speakers. You can't beat them for the price and quality. I have a surround system and I found that if you double up on them, they gain a marvelous extended quality. By saying double up I mean connecting 2 of them in parallel and using 2 of them as one speaker. I connect a 1,000uF capacitor between them to maintain the 6 ohm impedance of one speaker for the amp. The capacitor is invisible and has no effect on the frequency response.

I use 2 of these TSi100 speakers in parallel for the left front channel, 2 more together for the right front channel, and 2 more together for the center channel for total balance. Yes they sound much better than a typical center channel speaker. The ones for the left and right are stacked one on top of the other, and the center channel ones are laying side by side. With all 3, the bottoms are butted together. It greatly improves the stereo imaging effect by providing a taller projected pattern of sound from each speaker. Instead of a sound pattern from an 11 inch box, I get a larger sound pattern and higher SPL from 22 inch boxes.

The 4th and 5th pair I just purchased will be for the left and right 5.1 side surround channels. These will also be stacked and connected together. All 5 channels are matched (Stacked) speakers.

If anyone is curious, I round out the Polk Speaker array with the Polk PSW-10 Subwoofer. Another excellent product from Polk. The room is only 20' x 20' so the 10 inch Sub is a great choice.

By the way, I read a few reviews of the TSi100 that were not very favorable. But from what they said, they were expecting way too much. Some of the reviews said the speaker had low bass response. Guys, it is a 5.25 inch woofer in a shoe-box. Did you really think they would pound the house? If you want bass, get a subwoofer. Sub woofers are why smaller speakers can sound better with less distortion at higher volumes. Low frequency bass in a speaker can distort the rest of the sound it produces. Removing the deep low bass frequencies from a speaker, allows the speaker to produce cleaner sound and much less distortion across the spectrum.

47 people found this helpful

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AntiBanany

Modification for use in garage - works great!

Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022

Verified Purchase

Great sounding speakers! I have owned many pairs of Polk speakers of all sizes over many years, and I'm always amazed at the sound quality and the value of their products. This time, I needed new speakers in my garage. These are bass reflex speakers that have the port in the back. Many small speakers do this to get more bass out of them. Now a box with a hole in it is basically a birdhouse. Being in a garage, there are protected from temperature extremes and from the weather, but not from critters. Where I live, there are sometimes spiders, wasps, scorpions, dirt-daubers and sometimes even geckos in the garage that might find an ideal home in these speakers! So I looked around on Amazon and found some 2" round screen covers for PVC pipes. They fit the holes perfectly, and even had to be tapped in a little with a rubber mallet. They still sound great and I don't think the screens inhibit the air flow enough to change the sound at all. Works great for me, and I hope it will for you, too. Link below. Enjoy!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DX4B2Y2?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

16 people found this helpful

Helpful

waypastfast

Great sounding hundred dollar speakers.

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2022

Verified Purchase

Some of the most impressive small bookshelf speakers. I have two sets in my living room and a set in my kitchen. They fill my house with great quality sounds. I also have a Polk Audio PSW10 powered subwoofer that compliments these speakers wonderfully.
Update 5/27/2023: This week I got a set of Polk Audio TSi500 speakers or my living room. I relocated one set of these TSi100 speakers to my workout room, adjacent to my kitchen. And I added another PSW10 powered subwoofer to my kitchen.
For 4 years these TSi100 speakers have been driven hard and have filled my home with great sounds. I recommend these to anyone who would like an economical, great sounding bookshelf speaker.

Helpful

R. Sarma

Phenomenal sound and very pretty!

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2010

Verified Purchase

A few years back I got a Yamaha home theatre in a box with my flat panel TV. Although, generally good, the sound was never great from this system, so in an effort to mitigate this, I rewired the system using good cables. This helped a bit, but the sub-woofer still seemed like the most powerful speaker out of the 5; the front and surround speakers were just too weak, the centre channel was acceptable.

Last month, I was contemplating upgrading my system, when I came across these speakers, after reading up about them, I decided to take the plunge as the price seemed right. The moment I replaced my puny front left and right monitors with these speakers, the difference was like night and day! After a few adjustments on my receiver, these speakers simply blew me away!

The mid and highs are crisp and clear and not tinny at all. The sound-stage is nice and wide and covers all the acoustics very, very well. Also, the sub-woofer suddenly didn't seem over-powering and balanced well with these speakers. Although these speakers have tuned bass ports, don't expect heart-thumping bass from them, although they do complement the sub-woofer well. The speakers seem to sound best when the bass port is placed closer to a wall.

In terms of size, these speakers aren't tiny like the ones you probably got bundled with your home theatre, they're a lot larger with bigger drivers, which is what effectively delivers the better sound.

I saved myself hundreds of dollars by not replacing my system and by just buying these speakers! I recommend these very highly to anyone looking to get better sound from their home theatre without upgrading your whole system.

I also bought the Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker but returned it as it's simply too huge! My current centre speaker works well enough for me. Also, I'm not into surround sound, I use my system mainly for music and was looking to get a better stereo experience and these speakers are great for that.

31 people found this helpful

Helpful

Calher420

Polk Audio, excellent use of dollars!!

Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2012

Verified Purchase

So I've had these speakers for a months now. I wanted to wait and test them so I could leave an accurate review. I'm only running the 2 Polk tsi 100's paired with a Yamaha RX-V471BL 5.1-Channel AV Receiver.

The pros and the cons: You can't beat the sound quality Polk offers for the price. I got these speakers for less than 150. The speakers can go pretty loud before any distortion accurs. And really the only distortion I can hear is some of the bass notes start to hit flat she when you really crank the volume. Everything else continues to come in crystal. Of course believe it or not these little speaker were making my couch quiver against my feet as I watched "Saving Privet Ryan." pretty amazing for speakers in this price range. I've noticed I can hear things in movies I've never noticed. Like the sweat tripping of the chin of the German solider in saving privet ryan as he slowly drives the knife down into the other solider. It's amazing when a flamethrower gets shot and bursts into flame it sounds just like someone threw a match on some gasoline. These speakers come to life.. Best way of putting it. Plan on getting a subwoofer however because like a mentioned these speakers can hit all the base notes. I think a sub would complement them big time! So all in all loves these speakers only reason I give 4 stars is because it annoys me when I hear the speakers go flat on a base not. Keep them at half volume and you won't have any problems. And at half volume you'll be able to hear them anywhere in the house lol. Good product, thanks Polk

2 people found this helpful

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