Polk Tsi400 Floorstanding Speaker

The answer to that question is.....
It depends. In the Polk TSi line there are three models the TSi300, TSi400 and the TSi500. The polk tsi400 is the middle child of this particular speaker line. As such it provides a nice balance between the Polk TSi300 and the Polk TSi500. The TSi300 only has (2) 5¼" drivers and 1" silk dome tweeter. For most applications this is sufficient however, if you require better bass response the TSi300 may not cut it. The TSi500 actually has (4) 6.5" drivers and 1" silk dome tweeter. The additional driver gives the TSi500 the best bass response in the line, but this comes at a higher price tag.

If you're primarily going to be using the speakers in a home theater setup, then you will more than likely be using a subwoofer to provide the extra bass response that you need. As such, the Polk TSi 400 Floorstanding Speaker is a great compromise. It gives just enough bass response without breaking the bank. If you plan on using these speakers in a 2 speaker setup (stereo) then the Polk TSi500 Floorstanding Speakers may be a better choice for you.

Purchase polk tsi400 Floorstanding Speaker

The TSi400 vs TSi500

Lets be honest, floorstanding speakers can be ugly. They're big and bulky and some quite frankly just don't look good. This is not the case with the Cherry Polk TSi400 speakers. (which are also available in black). The TSi400's are comprised of 3/4" MDF wood. Lesser speakers often use particle board which often degrades the sound the speakers produce. These speakers come with a piano finish top plate, pewter accents, removable grill (so you can marvel at the the 5 1/4" drivers) and a lustrous cherry wood grain or black finish. Long story short, these speakers will look great with nearly any entertainment center.

• Mid/Woofer: 3 - 5.25" Diameter (13.34cm), Bi-Laminate Organic Fiber cone


• Tweeter: 1 - 1" Diameter (2.54cm), Silk Dome Dynamic Balance


• 20-200 w/channel


• Frequency Response: 34-25KHz


• Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms


• Sensitivity: 91 dB


• Inputs: Dual 5 way binding posts


• Dimensions: 38.88" x 14.25" x 7"

Polk adheres to the philosophy that bigger isn't always better. Instead of using huge drivers to power the Polk Audio TSi 400, Polk decided to utilize multiple smaller 5 3/4" drivers. The benefit to this is the small drivers often allow for greater sound detail as opposed to larger drivers and usually give greater sound dispersion. Another benefit to utilizing smaller drivers is it allows the speakers themselves to be smaller and more slender. After all, when you're watching your favorite movie in your home theater you want the focus to be on the screen and not on the ginormous speakers sitting next to the screen. The bottom line is if you're in the market for a great floorstanding speaker then the Polk TSi400 speaker is a great choice.

"The Polk TSi400 provides a nice dose of refinement to go with its balanced sound and good looks, and brings a lot of value to the listener in the process. It builds on the strengths of the TSi300, throwing on some more bass but not losing the 300's terrific midrange speed and transparency."
Hometheaterreview.com Complete Review

Polk actually makes two surround speakers for the TSi line: The TSi 100 and the TSi 200. The main difference between the two is that the 200s have (2) 5 1/4" drivers while the 100s have only one. Both speakers have excellent sound quality, but because of the extra driver the TSi 200s seem to have a little more oomph. The 200s are also capable of handling up to 150 watts of power.

So which one would be best for you? Really it depends on how much power you're going to be pushing to the speakers and how large the room is that you're going to use them in. If you have a large room, then the 200s would be the best choice for you. A smaller room and the 100s would be more than adequate. Neither speaker produces a great amount of bass, so you should still plan on pairing these with a good subwoofer like the Polk PSW 110.

Purchase Polk Cherry TSi 100 Speaker Pair

Purchase Polk Cherry TSi 200 Speaker Pair