Vanishing Series In-Ceiling Surround Speakers: The Polk Audio
Vanishing Series 80F/X-RT in-ceiling surround speakers feature a
precision-engineered, minimally flanged design. Polk's exclusive Sheer-Grille
protrudes only 7mm from its surroundings,
and installs virtually flush in
your ceiling. Mounting the speakers is simple with a one-cut, drop-in installation and
the rotating cam stabilizing system. The speakers provide superior
high-performance sound from their 8" woofers and dual 0.75" tweeters.
There are two speakers, one left and one right, included in the box.
Driver Technology
Infinite Enclosure Design
Connections
Mounting Options
Driver Technology
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-wall loudspeaker.
Woofer: The 80F/X-RT in-ceiling surround speakers employ an
8" Dynamic Balance
mineral composite polypropylene cone woofer with a rubber surround for a smooth, consistent frequency
response. The driver features a lightweight, strong composite basket
that works in conjunction with Klippel Optimization to keep moving parts in rigid
alignment while further damping performance-robbing resonances.
Silk Dome Tweeter: The speakers employ two 0.75" Dynamic
Balance silk polymer composite dome tweeters
for crisp, clear imaging. The tweeters are angled so that they are firing away
from each other for a more diffuse soundfield.
Wall Distance Switch: These in-ceiling speakers perform
better when placed more than 2' away from side walls. If mounting limitations
prevent mounting at 2' feet or more from the side wall, the close proximity of
the wall can cause increased response between 50 and 200 Hz. This can make the
speakers sound "boomy." To prevent this, the speakers have a "Wall Distance"
switch that allows you to indicate the distance from the wall at less than 2' (<
2') or more than 2' (> 2'). The switch flattens the response to eliminate "boominess"
without sacrificing deep bass response.
Timbre-Matched: The Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-ceiling
surround speakers
are timbre-matched to Polk Audio's high-performance RTi bookshelf and
floor-standing loudspeakers. This allows you to match them to an existing Polk
Audio home theater speaker system and enjoy 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 speakers is 35Hz to 27kHz, and the -3dB frequency
response is 50 to 25kHz.
Infinite Enclosure Design
Infinite Baffle Tuning: Infinite Baffle Tuning uses the
virtual enclosure of the in-wall space for deep bass response and superior
overall sound.
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 or wall. Brushes or
rollers should not be used to paint the grille, as this will clog the perf holes.
Connections
Gold-Plated Spring-Loaded Posts: Each 80F/X-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.
Mounting Options
Applications: You can use the Polk Audio Vanishing Series
in-ceiling surround speakers for the rear channels in a 5.1- or 7.1-channel
surround configuration. In a 5.1-channel system, the speakers should be mounted
to the sides of the seating positions. When two additional in-ceiling speakers
are installed, they should be mounted at the back of the room.
Left/Right Orientation: The 80F/X-RT speakers have a
left/right orientation, and each is clearly marked on the serial number label.
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.
Installation: The 80F/X-RT can be installed in new or existing
construction:
- Existing Construction: In existing ceilings, use the
included cardboard template for one-cut, drop-in simplicity.
- New Construction: Pre-construction brackets (sold separately) are
available for new-build or open-wall retro-fitting.
Dimensions:
| In-Ceiling Dimensions |
Model # 80F/X-RT |
| Overall Dimensions (with grille) |
Diameter = 11.125" |
| Cutout Dimensions |
Diameter = 9.375" |
| Product Depth |
Depth = 5.25" |
| Mounting Depth (using 1/2"
drywall) |
Depth = 4.75" |