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Polk Audio 90-RT in-ceiling speaker

Item # 10790RT

You may never see your speakers again...

You may never see your speakers again...

8 questions - 20 answers

Item # 10790RT

In stock
$299.00 each

Other options

About the Polk Audio 90-RT

You may never see your speakers again...
... but you'll know they're up there the moment you fire up tunes from your favorite artist. Polk's Vanishing Series 90-RT speakers stand out audibly — not visually. Your favorite rooms don't have to remain silent, just because you can't or don't want to put free-standing speakers there.

You may never see your speakers again...
... but you'll know they're up there the moment you fire up tunes from your favorite artist. Polk's Vanishing Series 90-RT speakers stand out audibly — not visually. Your favorite rooms don't have to remain silent, just because you can't or don't want to put free-standing speakers there.

Polk's clever design yields big bass from a smaller space
Polk ingenuity fills their Vanishing Series speakers to overflowing with clear, full-range sound. Each model has three drivers — a tweeter, a midrange and a woofer — packed into a smaller than average space. Dual port bandpass technology ensures that you'll get deeper sound with a compact speaker. Their paintable, seamless-profile magnetic grilles make it simple for these speakers to fit perfectly into your surroundings.

Might as well invite the whole speaker family over
Get two 90-RTs to listen to music in the den, or add more for a great sounding home theater. They're also a pretty close sonic match to Polk's renowned free-standing RTi speakers. Any way you choose, you'll get harmonious results.

An optional in-ceiling bracket is recommended for installing the 90-RT speaker in a home with new construction.

Got wire?
Most speakers don't include any. Learn more about in-wall wiring.
Shop our selection of in-wall speaker wire.

Product highlights:

  • sold individually
  • frequency response 43-25,000 Hz (-3dB)
  • three-way speaker design includes:
    • 3/4" silk/polymer dome tweeter
    • 3-1/4" midrange speaker
    • 6" x 9" Dynamic Balance® woofer
  • dual-port bandpass enclosure for better bass response
  • handles up to 125 watts RMS
  • sensitivity 90 dB
  • 8-ohm impedance
  • paintable Sheer-Grille™ for stealth installation
  • cutout diameter: 8-3/16"
  • overall diameter: 9-5/8"
  • mounting depth: 9-1/2"
  • warranty: lifetime
  • MFR # AW1190-A

What's in the box:

  • In-ceiling speaker
  • White metal grille
  • Mounting template
  • Owner's Manual
  • Sheer-Grille Painting instructions
  • Online Registration Card
  • Polk Audio product brochure

Customer reviews for Polk Audio 90-RT

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4.5 out of 5 stars
36 reviews

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More details on the Polk Audio 90-RT

Stacey B.

Features & specs

Features
Quantity in Package Single
Tweeter Soft-Dome
Aimable Tweeter No
Woofer Composition Polypropylene
Woofer Surround Rubber
Connector Type Spring post
Bi-Amp Inputs No
Built-in Back-box No
Moisture Resistance
Indoor (Moisture-resistant) No
Outdoor (Partial Exposure) No
Outdoor (Full Exposure) No
Specs
Tweeter Size 0.75
Midrange Size 3.25
Speaker Shape Round
Woofer Size 6 x 9
Cutout Width 8.1875
Cutout Height 8.1875
Mounting Depth 9.5
Power Range (Watts) 10-125
Sensitivity 90 dB
Impedance (Ohms) 8
Frequency Response 43-25kHz
Parts Warranty Lifetime
Labor Warranty Lifetime

Product Research

Features

Dynamic Balance Technology: Laser-imaging technology allows Polk Audio engineers to see the entire vibrating surface of a driver and tweeter. This allows the engineers to actually see performance-robbing distortion develop on the speaker cone. Using this data, they can determine the Dynamic Balance of their high-tech materials, and alter the geometry and construction of the speaker to effectively tune out the offending resonance. Exclusive Dynamic Balance Composite Material Technology delivers sound that is effortlessly clean and clear, even at lifelike volume levels.

Klippel Optimized Motor Structures: The Klippel Distortion Analyzer allows Polk engineers to optimize each driver's motor structure, voice coil alignment and suspension to insure smooth, unimpeded movement even at extreme listening levels. This is especially important in the shallow depth area afforded an in-ceiling loudspeaker.

Full-Range 3-Way Driver Array: The Vanishing Series 90-RT in-ceiling loudspeaker employs a new innovative patent-pending design from Polk that's like having a full-range, full-size speaker in a small inset lighting fixture. To do this, Polk designed a deep well and mounted a 'Cassini Oval' woofer above & behind the main driver array. By adding a woofer for low frequency response, the midrange & tweeter is freed up to provide more efficient detail. This innovative deep diagonal positioning allows the 90-RT cutout to be just 9" in diameter. This full-range 3-way driver array results in the kind of broad coverage and big performance usually achieved only with bigger box speakers. The 90-RT in-ceiling loudspeaker features the following three drivers.

  • Tweeter: One 0.75" Dynamic Balance silk/polymer dome tweeter
  • Midrange: One 3.25" Dynamic Balance mineral filled polypropylene cone.
  • Woofer: One 6"x9" Dynamic Balance 'Cassini Oval' mineral filled polypropylene woofer.

Reflective Room (Tweeter) Compensation Control: An easily accessible Reflective Room (Tweeter) Compensation switch allows you to make detailed adjustments to optimize the sound for any installation. The switch can be used to digitally compensate for harsh reflective surfaces. The switch doesn't merely reduce high frequencies, it actually allows you to "notch-out" a specific area of the spectrum (3,500-6,000Hz) where room acoustics most often interfere with performance. The switch has two settings:

  • Reflective Setting: If your listening room is very reflective, with smooth sheetrock walls, hardwood floors, and non-cushioned furniture, the sound will be overly "bright" and unnatural. Selecting the "Reflective" setting compensates for the effect of reflectivity in a hard room. Tweeter attenuation flattens room response, without hindering higher frequency response, for warmer, more realistic sound and more accurate imaging.
  • Normal Setting: If your room is not reflective, with curtains, artwork, lots of cushioned furniture and carpeting, sound will be absorbed by the room, resulting in more realistic reproduction and more accurate imaging. In this case, select the Normal setting.

Timbre-Matched: The Polk Audio Vanishing Series RT in-ceiling loudspeakers have been timbre-matched with Polk's RTi Series loudspeakers. Timbre-matching with the same internal components, and the same lightweight polymer composite cone material, insures utterly seamless blending from speaker to speaker. Timbre-matched speaker components will insure the same true response throughout your system.

Frequency Response: The overall frequency response of the in-ceiling speaker is 30Hz to 27kHz, and the -3dB frequency response is 43 to 25kHz.

Dual Bandpass Ports: The Vanishing Series in-ceiling speaker employs dual Bandpass Bass Ports, smoothly funneling the angled woofer's detailed low-frequencies down around the midrange and tweeter array. The port design eliminates "chuffing", so the small, practically invisible in-ceiling speakers achieve superior full-range blending and broad coverage with surprisingly deep bass.

15° Angled Baffle: A 15° angled baffle allows you to direct the mids & highs for the particular application; simply by rotate the speaker in the desired directions and tighten down the rotating cams.

Wafer-Thin Sheer-Grille: The Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-ceiling speakers feature Polk's exclusive wafer-thin Sheer-Grille, a magnetically secured grille that protrudes only 7mm from its surroundings. The Sheer-Grille can be painted to match your décor, making it virtually indistinguishable from its surroundings. The Sheer-Grille has nearly transparent, ultra-small perfs, and are acoustically inert, for dynamic, unimpeded sound and more uniform coverage, even in larger rooms.

Note: When painting the grille, it is highly recommend that you use a can of spray paint matched to the color of the surrounding ceiling. Brushes or rollers should not be used to paint the grille, as this will clog the perf holes.

Gold-Plated Spring-Loaded Posts: The 90-RT has a gold-plated pair of spring-loaded binding posts that can accept up to 12-gauge wire, single banana plugs, or pin connectors.

Applications: You can use the Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-ceiling loudspeaker as in-ceiling rear surrounds or overhead channels to complete an RTi Series speaker system, or for superior dynamics in practically invisible multi-zone music systems.

Rotating Cam System: The speaker utilizes a rotating cam system to ensure a secure, vibration-free installation. There are four rotating cams to hold the speaker securely to the ceiling. The 90-RT can be installed in new or existing construction. In existing ceilings, use the included cardboard template for one-cut, drop-in simplicity. Pre-construction brackets (107PBLTC60, sold separately) are available for new-build or open-ceiling retro-fitting.

Overall Dimensions (with grille) Diameter = 9.625"
Depth = 9.625"
Cutout Dimensions Diameter = 8.1875"
Total Mounting Depth Depth = 9.5"
Mounting Depth (using 1/2 drywall) Depth = 9.375"

Note: There is an eyebolt on the back of the speaker that can be used for an extra measure of installations security.

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Customer Q&A

8 questions already asked

Q
Best distance between a pair of Polk Audio 90-RT in ceiling speakers?
bertrand  Aug 11, 2021
1 answer
A
Really think it depends on your room size and listening position. is this for music only or TV/music use? If you clarify room size and use I think you'll get some opinions
michael  Aug 12, 2021
Q
Can they be installed in a 2x2 drop ceiling. And if so how do you prevent sag from the tile?
matthew  Jul 11, 2021
3 answers
A
The typical drop ceiling tiles do not support the weight of in-ceiling speakers and specially designed tiles are required to install in-ceiling speakers.
jason  Jul 17, 2021 (Staff)
A
There is a looped hook on top of the speaker to attach wire through and that can be attached to anything above the speaker to minimize the weight on your tile as they are pretty heavy. I have mine installed in a drywall ceiling but have not attached to structure yet. knock on wood!
mark  Jul 16, 2021
A
You can purchase straps if it is new construction.
darryl  Jul 15, 2021
Q
How much does one of these weigh?
robert w.  Apr 26, 2021
3 answers
A
9.5 lbs
peter  Apr 28, 2021
A
Specs say 9.5 lbs, make sure you have the height needed as the speaker is 9 1/4 inches high ( just fits a 10" beam)
frank  Apr 28, 2021
A
I didn't get an actual weight myself but they are too heavy for Sheetrock to support alone.
travis  Apr 28, 2021
Q
How can I buy replacement speaker covers / grills?
angel  Apr 18, 2021
1 answer
A
If you purchased the product from Crutchfield, feel free to contact our Tech Support team. They can walk you through the process of getting replacment if they are available. the Tech Support number is printed on your invoice, and is also available under the "My Orders" tab in the "My Account" section of our website. If you did not purchase the unit from Crutchfield, then you may want to contact the manufacturer.
thomas  Apr 28, 2021 (Staff)
Q
Could these be used as left and right fronts?
william joshua  Jan 10, 2021
5 answers
A
Yes you can, I am using it as surround rear but Bruce they would sound good as fronts also.
adrian  Jan 14, 2021
A
I used it as a center speaker in the ceiling
greg  Jan 11, 2021
A
Yes can be used in any position. However keep in mind the tweeter in these is fixed and cannot be aimed.
michael  Jan 10, 2021
A
Left, right and center
augusto  Jan 10, 2021
A
I used them as right and left surrounds - but you could certainly use them as fronts as well. I am thrilled with these.
michael  Jan 10, 2021
Q
Would this be ok to use in a bathroom and in the ceiling of a porch?
scott  May 12, 2018
2 answers
A
Maybe too powerful for a bathroom and I guess a porch roof would be OK as long as there is no exposure to the elements.
john  May 19, 2018
A
They are great speakers, but not sure how well they would work in a high moisture area like a bathroom or out on the porch. I would check with Polk or consider using outdoor speakers.
timothy  May 12, 2018
Q
If I install into a ceiling that has blown in insulation do I need some sort of covering for the back of the speaker?
cheri  Aug 06, 2016
4 answers
A
I installed these speakers in my ceiling prior to having additional insulation blown into the attic, as a precaution I used the box that the speaker came in, cutting out one side of the box then sat it down over the speaker before the additional insulation was blown in, it worked great & has not had been any issue with the performance of the speaker. I am quite impressed with the excellent sound that is delivered from these speakers, I would highly recommend them
jim  Aug 07, 2016
A
I used the box the speaker came in to put over the speaker once I installed it, then put the blown in insulation back on top of it.
walter  Aug 07, 2016
A
No, you don't need a covering for the back of the speaker. You need to make sure you have at least 9-inches of depth opening in the ceilings for installation. I installed four RT-90 speakers in a blown in insulation with vaulted ceilings and it worked well. Just make sure when you cut the hole in the ceilings, push the insulation away with a hand. Good luck!
gurpreet  Aug 07, 2016
A
I highly recommend it my attic insolation it's blown type as well I bought some dust covers for my 90rts and 80fxrt to keep them from dust getting on the components
edgar  Aug 07, 2016
Q
I need in ceiling speakers....what is the main difference between these and the 80F/X-RT other then the frequency response? I will be using these mostly for movies....pairing them up with the 265 Rt's for the fronts and the 255C-RT
jeffrey lee  Oct 28, 2015
1 answer
A
Thanks for your question. For information on comparing two or more models I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They will be able to help determine the differences and help you make the best choice for your system and your budget.
kristina  Oct 30, 2015 (Staff)
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