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Polk Audio 255C-RT

In-wall center channel speaker

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Item# 107255CRT offer details

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Polk Audio

Our take on the Polk Audio 255C-RT

by Marshall Chase

You finally replaced that mammoth tube TV with a flat-panel that hangs on the wall. You created the home theater you've always dreamed of with the wires tucked neatly away. The old center channel speaker that your significant other refers to as "the beast" has no place to go but out. Let the Polk 255C-RT show it the way.

Leaves a big impression on your ears, not on your eyes
This in-wall center channel speaker is built to perform. Potent drivers work with the PowerPort® bass technology to deliver punchy lows. Polk's silk tweeter conveys every breath of dialogue. And it's swivel mounted so you can aim the sound toward your listening position, for better performance. All of this from a center channel speaker that's out of sight, in more ways than one.

Plays well with others
The Polk 255C-RT is voice-matched to Polk's free-standing RTi speakers. It can mingle with matching towers or bookshelves. Or it can join in harmony with other members of the "Vanishing" RT speaker family.

An optional in-wall bracket is recommended for installing the 255C-RT in-wall center channel speaker in a home with new construction.

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

Highlights:

  • frequency response 50-25,000 Hz (-3dB)
  • 1" swivel-mount silk/polymer dome tweeter
  • dual 5-1/4" Dynamic Balance® woofers
  • handles up to 150 watts
  • sensitivity 90 dB
  • 8-ohm impedance
  • timbre matched to Polk RTi series speakers
  • PowerPort® technology for punchier bass
  • tweeter level switch for custom sound
  • paintable Sheer-Grille™ for stealth installation
  • cutout: 13-1/8"W x 7-5/8"H
  • mounting depth: 3-3/8"
  • lifetime warranty
Shop all Polk Audio In-wall Speakers
     

    Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

    Features and Specs

    Features and Specs
    Enclosure Type
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    In-wall
    Video Shielded
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    No
    Tweeter
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    Dome
    Midrange Size
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    ---
    Woofer Size
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    5.25
    Woofer Composition
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    Polymer Composite
    Woofer Surround
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    Rubber
    Power Range (Watts)
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    10-150
    Sensitivity
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    90 dB
    Impedance (Ohms)
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    8
    Frequency Response
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    50-25kHz
    Connector Type
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    Spring post
    Bi-Amp Inputs
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    No
    Parts Warranty
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    Lifetime
    Labor Warranty
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    Lifetime

    Product Research

    Product Research
    What's in the box?

    Download owner's manual

    • In-wall center-channel loudspeaker
    • White metal grille
    • Mounting template
    • Owner's Manual
    • Sheer-Grille Painting instructions
    • Online Registration Card
    • Polk Audio product brochure

    Our Product Research Team

    At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

    Vanishing Series In-Wall Center-Channel Speaker: The Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-wall center-channel loudspeaker (255c-RT) features a precision-engineered minimally flanged design and Polk's exclusive Sheer-Grille, which protrudes only 7mm from its surroundings. Installing virtually-flush in your wall, the Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-wall center-channel loudspeaker offers a one-cut, drop-in installation and rotating cam stabilizing system. The Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-wall center-channel loudspeaker provides superior high-performance sound from its dual 5.25" woofers and aimable 1" tweeter, with Reflective Room (Tweeter) Compensation control.

    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; they can actually see the resonance develop on the speaker cones-resonance that is the root cause of loudspeaker distortion. Being able to see the resonance develop, they then determine the Dynamic Balance of high-tech materials, geometry and construction that together 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 built-in loudspeaker.

    Dual Midranges: The Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-wall center-channel loudspeaker employs two 5.25" Dynamic Balance mineral composite polypropylene cone midrange drivers with rubber surrounds for a smooth, consistent frequency response. Each midrange driver features a lightweight, strong composite basket that work in conjunction with Klippel Optimization to keep moving parts in rigid alignment while further damping performance-robbing resonances.

    Silk Dome Tweeter: The Vanishing Series in-wall center-channel loudspeaker employs a 1" Dynamic Balance silk polymer composite dome tweeter for crisp, clear imaging. The high-performance silk dome tweeter in the Vanishing Series in-wall center-channel loudspeaker features a 15° swivel housing, for more direct high frequency control, excellent off-axis imaging and more placement flexibility.

    Reflective Room (Tweeter) Compensation Control: An easily accessible Reflective Room (Tweeter) Compensation switch allows you to make advanced audio tweaks to optimize the sound for any installation. Use the Reflective Room (Tweeter) Compensation switch to digitally compensate for harsh reflective surfaces. It doesn't merely reduce high frequencies; it actually allows you to "notch-out" a specific area of the spectrum (3500-6000Hz) where room acoustics most often interfere with performance.

    • Filter 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 "Filter" 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 in-wall center-channel loudspeaker is 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-wall center-channel loudspeaker is 30Hz 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-wall center-channel loudspeaker features 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: We highly recommend you use a can of spray paint matched to the wall color you want the Sheer-Grille to blend with. Never use a brush or roller to paint the grille, as this will clog the perf holes.

    Connections

    Gold-Plated Spring-Loaded Posts: The in-wall center-channel loudspeaker 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-wall center-channel loudspeaker to complete a system of traditional loudspeakers or in-wall speakers, by adding an inconspicuous center-channel speaker.

    Placement: The in-wall center-channel loudspeaker is designed to be installed above or below your flat-panel television. Install the in-wall center-channel loudspeaker as close to ear level as possible. If the speaker needs to be installed lower or high than ear level, then aim the tweeter accordingly.

    Note: Do not block the in-wall center-channel speaker with your TV or furniture, as this will disrupt and muffle the sound.

    Rotating Cam System: The Polk Audio in-wall center-channel loudspeaker utilizes a rotating cam system to ensure a secure, vibration-free installation.

    Installation: The Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-wall center-channel loudspeaker (255c-RT) can be installed in new or existing construction.

    • Existing Construction: In existing walls, use the included cardboard template for one-cut, drop-in simplicity. Achieve secure, vibration-free efficiency with a simple turn of Polk's Rotating Cam system (5 rotating cams).
    • New Construction: Pre-construction brackets (sold separately) are available for new-build or open-wall retro-fitting.

    Dimensions: Crutchfield Measurements.

    In-Wall Center-Channel Dimensions Model # 255c-RT
    Overall Dimensions (with grille) Width = 14.8125"
    Height = 9.3125"
    Cutout Dimensions Width = 13.0625"
    Height = 7.5625"
    Product Depth (including grille & wiring) Depth = 4.125"
    Mounting Depth (using 1/2" drywall) Depth = 3.75"
     

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    Reviews for the Polk Audio 255C-RT

    Average Customer Review:

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    5 out of 5

    Excellent

    Written By JEH, Denver, CO on Friday, May 17, 2013
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    It's a little pricey but well worth it. Installation was a snap and it sounds fantastic.
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    Polk Audio 255C-RT

    Written By Steve, Buda, Texas on Saturday, January 19, 2013
     
    Sounds great, looks fantastic, and Installation was a breeze!
    Pros:
    Sound, installation, appearance
    Cons:
    None
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    3 out of 5

    Polk Audio 255C-RT

    Written By EdP, Alpharetta, GA on Monday, June 06, 2011
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Installation was easy and the template was accurate. Because of the double woofers, I am using this speaker as the center channel in a 5.1 application, and although the specs (and price) are impressive, listening is not a "revelation". The speaker is good - no complaints, its doing what I ask of it; but I haven't experienced anything that "stands out" from this speaker, which makes me wonder if another, less expensive speaker would have done the same job.

    As usual, Crutchfield is great with their customer support, sales staff, and quick shipping!

    31 out of 34 people found this helpful
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    1-3 of 3

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    UL-listed speaker wire is designed to be run through walls and is building code compliant. See all categories & accessories

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    Smart people protect with SquareTrade- The best warranty at the best price

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    100% parts and labor - no deductibles

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    Runs concurrent with manufacturer's warranty

    Rated 5-stars by consumers

    For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the Polk Audio 255C-RT, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/S-x4fEWQCkqQ2/p_107255CRT/Polk-Audio-255C-RT.html ).

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    Compare with other Polk Audio models

    • Polk Audio 255c-LS
    • Advanced driver design for even better frequency response
    • IN STOCK
    • The Polk Audio 255c-LS offers:
      • 1" Dynamic Balance® ring radiator tweeter for extended and accurate high-frequency response
      • dual 5-1/4" Dynamic Balance® woofers
      • frequency response 44-29,000 Hz (-3dB)
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    • Polk Audio 255C-RT
    • dual 5.25" in-wall center speaker
    • 4.5 out of 5: IN STOCK
      • The Polk Audio 255C-RT offers:
        • 1" swivel-mount silk/polymer dome tweeter and dual 5-1/4" woofers
        • frequency response 50-25,000 Hz
        • sound-shaping controls
    • Add To Cart
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    • Polk Audio 255c-LS
    • dual 5.25" in-wall center speaker
    • IN STOCK
      • The Polk Audio 255c-LS offers:
        • 1" ring radiator tweeter and dual 5-1/4" Dynamic Balance® woofers
        • frequency response 44-29,000 Hz
        • sound-shaping controls
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      Polk Audio 255C-RT