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Polk Audio RC85i In-wall speakers

Item # 107RC85I

These budget-friendly in-wall speakers are a terrific choice for your custom-installed home theater or stereo system.

These budget-friendly in-wall speakers are a terrific choice for your custom-installed home theater or stereo system.

35 questions - 61 answers

Item # 107RC85I

Low stock
$279.00 -$19.53 Outlet savings
$259.47 pair

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About the Polk Audio RC85i

Kramer Crane

Versatile performance for music and movies

The value-packed RC85is are ideal for the left, right, and surround channels of an in-wall home theater. They're also great for a music system without any visual clutter. Each RC85i is equipped with an 8" woofer and a swiveling 1" tweeter. Together they deliver full, clear sound for movies, music, sports, and video games. 

Versatile performance for music and movies

The value-packed RC85is are ideal for the left, right, and surround channels of an in-wall home theater. They're also great for a music system without any visual clutter. Each RC85i is equipped with an 8" woofer and a swiveling 1" tweeter. Together they deliver full, clear sound for movies, music, sports, and video games. 

DIY installation 

Here's a tip I learned when installing my own in-wall speakers. If you're placing the RC85is six feet or higher on your wall, turn them upside down so that the tweeter is at the bottom. Then, aim the tweeter towards your seat. You'll get better high-frequency detail since the tweeter is closer to ear level. 

If this is a do-it-yourself installation, check out our guide to installing in-ceiling speakers, along with our selection of in-wall speaker wire. Optional pre-construction brackets are recommended for new construction. Free lifetime technical support is provided with every Crutchfield purchase.

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Product highlights:

  • ideal for stereo music or the left and right front or surround channels of a home theater
  • 8" woofer and 1" swivel-mount tweeter
  • frequency response: 50-20,000 Hz (-3 dB)
  • impedance: 8 ohms
  • sensitivity: 90 dB
  • recommended amplification: 20 to 100 watts
  • outside dimensions: 10-1/16W" x 14-1/8"H
  • cutout dimensions: 8-11/16"W x 12-3/4"H
  • mounting depth: 3-1/2"
  • includes paintable white matte grilles
  • warranty: lifetime
  • MFR # AW0085-B

What's in the box:

  • 2 White in-wall speakers
  • 2 White grilles
  • 1 Cardboard Mounting Template
  • Owner's Manual
  • Online registration sheet
  • Product Registration Card

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Customer reviews for Polk Audio RC85i

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4.5 out of 5 stars
195 reviews

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More details on the Polk Audio RC85i

Stacey B.

Features & specs

Features
Quantity in Package Pair
Tweeter Soft-Dome
Aimable Tweeter Yes
Woofer Composition Polypropylene
Woofer Surround Rubber
Connector Type Spring clip
Bi-Amp Inputs No
Built-in Back-box No
Moisture Resistance
Indoor (Moisture-resistant) Yes
Outdoor (Partial Exposure) No
Outdoor (Full Exposure) No
Specs
Tweeter Size 1
Midrange Size N/A
Woofer Size 8
Speaker Shape Rectangle
Cutout Width 8.6875
Cutout Height 12.75
Mounting Depth 3.5
Power Range (Watts) 20-100
Sensitivity 90 dB
Impedance (Ohms) 8
Frequency Response 50-20kHz
Parts Warranty Lifetime
Labor Warranty Lifetime

Product Research

Features

Dynamic Balance Technology: Dynamic Balance drivers are used for wide, smooth response and low distortion.

Woofers: Each speaker features an 8" Dynamic Balance, mineral-filled polypropylene woofer for clean midrange and deep, accurate bass. For a smoother response and improved durability, each woofer uses a rubber surround.

Tweeters: Each speaker uses a 1" Dynamic Balance, metalized soft dome tweeter in a ball-and-socket swivel mount. The aimable tweeters give you direct high-frequency control, resulting in excellent imaging even for off-axis listening positions.

Infinite Baffle Tuning: Infinite Baffle Tuning uses the virtual enclosure of in-wall space for superior bass response.

Moisture-resistant: Durable, moisture-resistant materials allow you to install the speakers in bathrooms, kitchens, even under the eaves of an enclosed porch. (The speaker is not recommended for exposed outdoor use.)

Installation: Each speaker requires a cutout 8.6875" wide and 12.75" high with a mounting depth of 3.5". Once the holes are cut, each speaker can be dropped in and the Rotating Cams can be tightened, allowing you to secure each speaker to the drywall without any extra assembly (the Rotating Cams protrude out 0.625" from the cutout opening). If you will not be mounting these speakers in drywall, make sure the wall or ceiling material can safely support the weight of the speakers before installation; each speaker weighs approximately 5.5 pounds.

Paintable: The grille and flange can be painted, allowing these speakers to match any decor.

Frequency Response:

  • Overall: 30 Hz-20 kHz
  • -3 dB Limit: 50 Hz-20 kHz

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Customer Q&A

35 questions already asked

Q
Where can I get replacement grills? Thank you
steve  Sep 16, 2023
1 answer
A
Greetings Steve. Thank you for your question. Crutchfield does not see replacement grilles for these. Best I can tell you is try calling Polk Audio at 800-377-7655.
hogan  Sep 16, 2023 (Staff)
Q
Can I pair these with Denon AVR-S570BT Receiver OR YAMAHA RX-V385 Receiver? Please suggest an apt receiver in affordable range.
laks_here  Jul 11, 2023
1 answer
A
Greetings, and thank you for your question. Honestly these Polk speakers can work with most any receiver or amplifier in the 20-100 watt range. Of course the closer you can get to the 100 watts, the better the speakers will sound, and have better detail.
hogan  Jul 12, 2023 (Staff)
Q
Just purchased a home with 2 speakers pre-installed and 4 additional circular speakers in the walls and ceiling. How do I connect to these? There was nothing left in regards to a remote or information on the system setup.
andre  Feb 11, 2023
1 answer
A
If you have pre-existing in-wall or in-ceiling speakers you will need an amplifier to power them, Andre. Depending on the layout of your speakers physically and whether you are using them for home theater or 2-channel music will determine the type of amplifier that is best for you. For home theater consider the 7-channel Denon AVR-X2700H in the first link below. This would allow you to drive all your current speakers and add a center channel for great home theater performance. If your speakers are in different rooms and strictly for music, you will want to use the Sonos Amp in the Second link below to drive 2-4 speakers each. They are stackable and link to your Wi-fi so you can use as many as you need! https://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AVX2700/Denon-AVR-X2700H.html https://www.crutchfield.com/p_616AMP/Sonos-Amp.html
bo  Feb 11, 2023 (Staff)
Q
Can I paint the grills with spray paint?
logan  Feb 09, 2023
1 answer
A
Yes. The grilles are paintable.
zachary  Feb 10, 2023 (Staff)
Q
My home is pre-wired with 5 locations (3 front, 2 rear). Can these be used and what setup would you recommend?
scott  Oct 25, 2022
1 answer
A
The RC85i could be used as surround speakers in 5 locations as described. Keep in mind, however, that these speakers are sold in pairs of two, which means you'd have to buy 3 sets to get enough speakers for a 5-channel application. For further help with selecting speakers for your home audio applications, please reach out to our advisors via chat or phone at 1-800-324-9695.
zachary  Oct 26, 2022 (Staff)
Q
I have 11" between studs in the location I want to mount these speakers. Will they fit that space? Can you confirm wall/cam mounts don't swing out more than an inch? Thx
michael  Oct 03, 2022
1 answer
A
Greetings Michael, and thank you for your question. I checked with this same question a bit back with Polk Audio. They say the clamps need 1-2 inches. If all you have is an inch, they will still clamp.
hogan  Oct 03, 2022 (Staff)
Q
Several years ago I purchased 4 RC65 s and recently a capacitor blew up what must I do to start the warranty process? r RC 65
steve  Aug 28, 2022
1 answer
A
So that's easy if you got the speakers from us Steve. If you did we will have a record of the purchase, whenever that was. We can start the replacement process there! I did not see any order info come up on your email attached to this question, so we may have to look you up with the shipping address for that order or some other way, etc. Give our Customer Service portal a call at 1-800-955-9091 and we can help get you started!
bo  Aug 28, 2022 (Staff)
Q
How precise does my cutout need to be? Will the clips still hold if the cutout is 1/16" wider, and 1/8" taller?
david  Dec 13, 2021
3 answers
A
had some size issues compared to the template. Didn't relate to any issues with the installation or function.
harold  Dec 14, 2021
A
The clips swing out beyond the total width of the speakers. So as long as you are talking about 1/16" and 1/8" wider/taller than the hole you are supposed to cut in the drywall, you should be fine.
patrick  Dec 14, 2021
A
That will work no problem.
andrew  Dec 13, 2021
Q
Can these be mounted in a regular 2x4 wall or is the depth too much?
levi  Sep 02, 2021
3 answers
A
Yes... I have these mounted within my 2x4 walls which are 16" on center. Even if you are mounting next to a stud it is not a problem as the clamps will catch on at least three corners.
jonathon m  Sep 02, 2021
A
They will fit fine in a regular 2 x 4 wall - i used 5 of them for my surround system with a Yamaha NS-SW300 sub and it sounds awesome. I did cut the insulation (thin the depth) where the speakers are, so if this is an outside wall you may want to reconsider. Mine are in a basement and the insulation isn't really a factor. The ability to angle the tweeter is awesome. i didn't think i would use it, but angling them towards or away from the target listening area makes a huge difference for the surround.
jeffrey  Sep 02, 2021
A
Yes, designed to mount in standard 2x4 wall
david  Sep 02, 2021
Q
The pre-construction brackets for these have for some reason been discontinued. Does anybody know of a replacement product?
david  Aug 11, 2021
1 answer
A
At the time of this reply, we do not have any preconstruction brackets from other brands that will work with these speakers. This may change in the future and I recommend contacting an advisor by calling 1-800-324-9695 to check
jason  Aug 14, 2021 (Staff)
Q
What gauge of wire would I use for these speakers?
jose  Jun 24, 2021
2 answers
A
I used 14 gauge
bruce  Jun 25, 2021
A
I used 18.
douglas  Jun 24, 2021
Q
What is the Watts for the RC 85i Woofers?
godson  Jun 12, 2021
1 answer
A
We do not have the watt rating for only the woofers in these speakers and can only confirm that with the woofer and tweeter both wired together, they handle up to 100 watts RMS. We recommend contacting Polk's support by calling 800-377-7655 to check if they have the specs for only the woofer
jason  Jun 26, 2021 (Staff)
Q
Can I use these with a sonos amp and app on my phone?
scott  Mar 03, 2021
1 answer
A
Absolutely!! But beware because Sonos products are like chocolates, you can't stop at just one!
steve  Mar 05, 2021
Q
I have sprayed foam insulation in my walls. Some customers say to have insulation behind the speaker for better sound, but Polk tech says to have 1 cubic foot of air for better sound....does anyone have a suggestion for how much insulation I should chisel out?
robert  Dec 10, 2020
1 answer
A
I have fiberglass insulation in the walls with mine. They sound good. I would probably consider the Polk recommendation and the need for thermal insulation though. If you are in a moderate climate or on an interior wall, then remover more, if not, start with what you need to fit the speaker. Its not too hard to pull it out and remove some more.
daniel  Dec 11, 2020
Q
Im looking to mount speakers into 55 gallon whiskey barrels in a brewery restaurant. They would be about 3 feet off the floor. What speakers do you recommend for this project? I will have to make some kind of sealant for the mount as it is concave shaped. Would ceiling speakers work?
mattm  Oct 02, 2020
2 answers
A
We have not received any answers from other customers on your question. I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They should be able to help answer your question.
thomas  Oct 21, 2020 (Staff)
A
I'm not sure I would mount any speaker that low to the floor except maybe outdoor?.. but if you have to I'd say the round in-ceiling with adjustable tweeters would be easiest to install.
michael  Oct 20, 2020
Q
I've got the Polk Signature Series as my center and front left/right. moving the system to my basement, i can't use my signature series bookshelf speakers as my surrounds. could i use these and hook them into the same receiver?
christopher  Aug 27, 2020
1 answer
A
These will work fine in that application. You'll need to run the speaker wire through the wall. I ran the wire on mine to a wall plate inside the cabinet where I keep the amp so everything is clean. These are a little more sensitive than the Signature bookshelf speakers so they are louder with the same amount of power, but the sound signature is voiced to blend with other Polk speakers. Really, they are quite neutral and blend well with several speakers from several brands that I have paired with them.
daniel  Aug 28, 2020
Q
Can I use these as rear speakers with the RM8 front speakers?
mark  Aug 23, 2020
1 answer
A
I have these as rear speakers and they work great.
john s.  Aug 23, 2020
Q
might install Polk AB700 in-wall speakers in car. Great quality speaker, priced right... paid for. How would they perform if installed somewhere like the hatchback panel of 2013 Ford Focus Hatchback, Probably with the factory stereo (not a Sony factory receiver)? thanks, Mark
markbarnardboi  Dec 19, 2019
1 answer
A
Hi Mark, thank you for your question. We would not recommend using these speakers as an addition to a car audio system. These are 8ohm speakers, and a factory head unit will not be able to supply power to these, you would also run into an issue with air space for the speakers to properly function. We would not be able to offer any advice other than this, Mark. Polk Audio does make car audio gear, so if you would like to discuss options for upgrades for your vehicle, please chat with us online or by phone at 1-800-324-9695.
jessica  Jan 03, 2020 (Staff)
Q
I'm looking for speakers with wires that have to be clipped. Stereo is at least 30 years old?
amack  May 15, 2019
1 answer
A
If you mean that you strip off the insulation so that you have bare wires, then these speakers will work.
jim d  May 15, 2019
Q
I'm looking to use these as front L and R. For my application I can't have an in-wall center channel speaker. Which Polk out-of-wall centers are these timbre matched to? I'm looking at the CSi A4 especially.
ryan  Jun 19, 2017
1 answer
A
I used these for just that purpose ... installed and operational in 20 minutes. For the price point they deliver great performance. In full disclosure these were added to an existing surround sound system.
jesse  Jun 19, 2017
Q
Can these speakers be mounted for outside use?
tyrel  May 28, 2017
1 answer
A
I would not mount these outside, they are made to be mounted in an interior wall or ceiling.
james  May 29, 2017
Q
I would like to mount these as my front channel. Is anyone using the same for the rear channel and or are you using a different speaker?
emilio  May 15, 2017
3 answers
A
I use a number of these as my front channel connected to my Sonos Connect Amps, they work great. Added a Polk Sub to a couple of the rooms and they work good as well. Good product for the price.
dan  May 16, 2017
A
I am using six RC85i and one 255C-RT for my 7.1 system and they are fantastic.
nicholas  May 16, 2017
A
I have six of these in my 7.1 system (2 front, 2 surround, 2 rear surround). They sound fantastic.
chad  May 16, 2017
Q
Can they be mounted upside down or horizontal?
steven  Feb 25, 2017
4 answers
A
I don't see why not. I actually thought of doing this with my two pair, as I mounted them a bit too high in the wall.
christopher  Feb 26, 2017
A
Yes. There's a template that you use to cut the hole, you can place them any direction you want. We have 2 vertical and 2 horizontal. They sound great! Hope that helps.
terry  Feb 25, 2017
A
I don't see anything that would prevent you from mounting them in any orientation.
scott  Feb 25, 2017
A
I believe they can be mounted in any direction. I mounted mine vertically and they work great.
tom  Feb 25, 2017
Q
Can these speakers be used in the ceiling?
tim  Nov 05, 2016
2 answers
A
I'm pretty sure. They are held in place by pivoting flange tabs, a bit like on screen window frames, and assuming your studs are 16" on center, the drywall should take the weight. We mounted ours in the ceiling with the caveat that they are in a sloped portion. If you get into the physics then a bit of the weight is distributed differently but even so, you should be fine. Really nice speakers btw.
erik  Nov 05, 2016
A
I have these mounted in my ceiling and they sound great. They are amazing speakers for the price.
jesse  Nov 05, 2016
Q
Is it advisable to mount these in a wood paneled wall or does it need to be in regular drywall? (Think thin plywood 1960's style paneling.)
brian  Oct 27, 2016
1 answer
A
Excellent sound very happy with them, however because of the woofer keep in mind Vibration... i had to be sure the speaker was securely installed(i have drywall) if your panel is thin it may vibrate causing poor sound. if panel is secured well so as not to rattle when speaker is on(woofer fully working). it should be OK. I did put Spray-on insulation on the wall behind the speaker, that seemed to help sound as well. "Speaker Vibration/Rattling" may or may-not be a concern in your installation. Hope you enjoy them i sure do :-) Aloha
mark  Oct 28, 2016
Q
According to Polk, the best match for an in wall center channel is the SC-C which Crutchfield does not offer. From what I've read the 255c-Rt isn't timbre matched to the RC series. Will this work or is there a better option?
matt  Nov 12, 2015
1 answer
A
I have in wall and in ceiling speakers (Frt, Sur, SR) 3 besides my center and subwoofers. Still Polk, 10" sub by TV, 12" sub in rear of room. I have a CSi A6 on the built in shelf above my TV. Had it for 4 years and always sounded great.
lawrence  Nov 12, 2015
Q
can rc85i be mounted in celling ?
charles  Sep 07, 2015
5 answers
A
In my application, I placed them in the wall. I see no reason why they wouldn't work as long as the ceiling is finished. They do have some weight to them.
justin  Sep 09, 2015
A
Yes, I have two pairs in my house, one pair is wall mounted and the other is ceiling mounted. both pairs sound great!!!
lawrence  Sep 08, 2015
A
It's pretty large and I think it would look awkward. I would stick with round speakers for ceilings myself.
matthew  Sep 08, 2015
A
Yes, that's what I did. And, they sound great.
james n  Sep 08, 2015
A
Yes, I use these for my ceiling install. Pretty simple installation.
laurance  Sep 08, 2015
Q
Is there an angled bezel available which would allow the speaker to be angled as opposed to lying flat?
gary  Mar 18, 2015
2 answers
A
The bezel/trim is a part of the speaker and covers the rough opening in the wall when the speaker is installed. I don't think the bezel can be removed as it's all a one-piece design. You may be better off getting on-wall speakers which would allow you to angle them.
knick tran,  Mar 18, 2015
A
No such bezel is included with the speakers. I am not aware of anything like that being available. However, it would be easy to fashion such a bezel with a jigsaw or table saw.
gary j  Mar 18, 2015
Q
Could I use this as a center channel speaker?
brad  Jan 26, 2015
3 answers
A
Sorry, I really do not know. I am very pleased with the speakers as left and right front channel, but I have a different front channel speaker. Gary
gary  Jan 27, 2015
A
I am not using this for the center channel. I am using MC85
ravi  Jan 27, 2015
A
You could. I think it is a little heavy on the woofer. You might want more mid and tweeter focused. It is a great sounding speaker though.
steven r  Jan 27, 2015
Q
Do these speakers have two sets of inputs so I can use them for ambient sound throughout my home and get stereo sound from each speaker?
gilbert  Oct 02, 2014
3 answers
A
Thanks Knick, that was what I needed to know.
gilbert  Oct 18, 2014
A
They just have the typical red & black connectors to connect a speaker wire, so no you cannot get stereo sound from one speaker.
knick tran,  Oct 04, 2014
A
They have standard positive and negative (red and black) terminals for inputs. I'm not sure what you're hoping for. They do not have a built in option to add two audio sources.
casey  Oct 03, 2014
Q
Can I mount these speakers without those cheap plastic brackets, and if so what do you use to attache to the wall studs?
mike  Jul 13, 2014
6 answers
A
I suppose if you had the wall completely open to expose studs, you could make custom brackets to mount speakers to studs. However, you run the risk of damaging the speaker housing as they are not very thick. But why would you go thru all this trouble when the built in mounting brackets work great and are very strong and secure.
knick tran,  Jul 18, 2014
A
The plastic brackets are more for placement than anything I think. The screws on the speakers that latch to the back of drywall are enough. I have another pair of speakers that go in the ceiling, much heavier too; they only clamp to the drywall. Which is similar to these wall speakers. You shouldn't need support from the wall studs. I think the weight distribution is assuming your studs are 16" apart though. The closer the studs are together the stronger the drywall will to support weight. The standard 16" spacing for the studs is plenty strong.
steven r  Jul 14, 2014
A
I used the plastic brackets and mounted the directly to the drywall and not to the wall studs. They have been in place since being installed and we've had no issues.
gregory  Jul 14, 2014
A
These are made to attach to drywall. You'd have to rig them up to attach to studs. They're plenty secure and don't rattle when attacked to drywall with clips. They're highly rated when attached as prescribed to drywall. Be sure to put some insulation behind them to improve sound quality.
casey  Jul 13, 2014
A
The plastic tabs are plenty to firmly secure the speakers to drywall. I do not know of any way to secure them to wall studs.
gary j  Jul 13, 2014
A
They attached in Sheetrock .. Not studs
timothy  Jul 13, 2014
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