1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Polk Audio Reserve Series R500 Tower Speaker. This high-performance floorstanding loudspeaker is designed to deliver exceptional audio quality for both music and home theater systems. Featuring a 1-inch Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter and dual 5.25-inch Turbine Cone Woofers, the R500 is Hi-Res Audio Certified and supports Dolby Atmos and IMAX Enhanced technologies for an immersive listening experience.
This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, and maintaining your R500 speaker to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
2. What's in the Box
Carefully unpack your Polk Audio Reserve Series R500 Tower Speaker and ensure all components are present:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker (1 unit)
- Outrigger feet (4, pre-installed)
- Spike feet (4, pre-installed)
- Rubber feet (4, pre-installed)
- Grille Hex-key (1)
If any items are missing or damaged, please contact your authorized Polk Audio dealer or customer support.
3. Setup
3.1 Placement
Proper speaker placement is crucial for optimal sound performance. Consider the following guidelines:
- Stereo Setup: Place the R500 speakers equidistant from your primary listening position, forming an equilateral triangle.
- Home Theater Setup: The R500 can be used as front left/right, side surround, or rear surround speakers. Ensure they are positioned to create a balanced sound field.
- Distance from Walls: Experiment with placing speakers a few inches to a few feet from walls to optimize bass response and imaging.
- Adjustable Feet: The pre-installed outrigger feet provide stability. Use the included spike feet for carpeted floors or rubber feet for hard surfaces (wood, tile, laminate) to minimize vibrations and improve sound clarity. Adjust the feet to level the speaker.
3.2 Connections
The R500 features premium, large 5-way binding posts for secure and loss-less connection to your amplifier or receiver.
- Ensure your amplifier/receiver is turned off before making any connections.
- Connect the positive (+) terminal (red) on your amplifier to the positive (+) terminal (red) on the R500 speaker.
- Connect the negative (-) terminal (black) on your amplifier to the negative (-) terminal (black) on the R500 speaker.
- Use high-quality speaker wire for best performance.
3.3 System Configuration
The R500 is compatible with various home theater and stereo configurations. For a complete surround sound system, consider adding other Polk Reserve Series speakers (sold separately):
- Center Channel: R300, R350, or R400 for clear dialogue.
- Bookshelf/Surround: R100 or R200 for immersive effects.
- Height Module: R900 for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X overhead sound.
3.4 Video Demonstrations
Watch these official videos for more insights into the Polk Reserve Series R500's features and technologies:
Video 1: Polk Turbine Cone Woofer. This video provides a detailed look at the Turbine Cone Woofer technology, explaining its role in delivering clear and detailed midrange audio.
Video 2: Polk Reserve Tower Speaker Overview. An overview of the Polk Reserve Tower Speakers, highlighting their design and audio capabilities.
Video 3: Polk Power Port Technology. This video explains Polk's patented X-Port Technology with Eigentone Filter (ETF), which ensures tight, distortion-free bass.
Video 4: Polk Pinnacle Ring Tweeter. A closer look at the Pinnacle Ring Tweeter, detailing how it delivers dynamic high-frequency response and clarity.
4. Operating
Once properly set up, operating your Polk Audio R500 speakers is straightforward. The speakers are passive and require an external amplifier or receiver for power.
- Power On/Off: Control power through your connected amplifier/receiver.
- Volume Control: Adjust volume using your amplifier/receiver's controls.
- Source Selection: Select your audio source (e.g., music player, TV, gaming console) via your amplifier/receiver.
- Audio Formats: The R500 supports Hi-Res Audio formats like DSD, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, and MQA, allowing you to experience superior audio performance.
5. Maintenance
To keep your R500 speakers in optimal condition, follow these maintenance tips:
- Cleaning the Cabinet: Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the speaker cabinet. Avoid abrasive cleaners or solvents.
- Cleaning Grilles: The acoustically inert anti-diffraction magnetic grilles can be gently removed for cleaning. Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust.
- Driver Care: Avoid touching the speaker drivers (tweeter and woofers) directly, as this can cause damage.
- Placement: Keep speakers away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and excessive moisture.
6. Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with your R500 speakers, refer to the following common troubleshooting steps:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No Sound | Loose speaker wire connections, incorrect source selection, amplifier/receiver off. | Check all speaker wire connections at both the speaker and amplifier. Ensure the correct input source is selected on your amplifier/receiver. Verify amplifier/receiver is powered on. |
| Distorted Sound | Overdriven amplifier, damaged speaker wire, incorrect impedance setting. | Reduce volume. Inspect speaker wires for fraying or damage. Ensure your amplifier is compatible with 8 Ohm speakers. |
| Unbalanced Sound (one speaker louder/quieter) | Incorrect balance settings on amplifier, loose connection on one speaker. | Check balance settings on your amplifier/receiver. Verify connections for both speakers are secure. |
If the issue persists after trying these steps, contact Polk Audio customer support or your dealer.
7. Specifications
Detailed technical specifications for the Polk Audio Reserve Series R500 Tower Speaker:
- Model Name: R500
- Mounting Type: Floor Standing
- Material: Wood
- Speaker Type: Surround Sound
- Special Feature: Hi Res Audio
- Recommended Uses: For Gaming Consoles, For Music Players, For Surround Sound Systems, For Televisions
- Compatible Devices: Home Theater
- Unit Count: 1.0 Count
- Surround Sound Channel Configuration: 5.0
- Color: Black
- Product Dimensions (D x W x H): 13.7" x 10.1" x 41.1"
- Item Weight: 39 Pounds
- Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Speaker Maximum Output Power: 200 Watts
- Frequency Response: 50 KHz
- Connectivity Technology: Nickel-plated 5-Way Binding Post
- Audio Output Mode: Surround
- Woofer Diameter: 5.25 Inches (Turbine Cone)
- Tweeter Diameter: 1 Inches (Pinnacle Ring Radiator)
- UPC: 747192132064
- Item Model Number: 300033-01-00-005
8. Warranty and Support
The Polk Audio Reserve Series R500 Tower Speaker comes with a Limited Warranty. For specific warranty terms, registration, and customer support, please visit the official Polk Audio website or contact your local authorized dealer. Keep your proof of purchase for warranty claims.
