Polk Audio Legend Series L100 Bookshelf Speaker Review

ReviewLoudspeaker

Mar 24

Polk Audio Legend Series L100 Bookshelf Speaker Review

Polk Audio’s Legend Series of loudspeakers is the brand’s flagship lineup consisting of four loudspeakers; two bookshelf models and two tower speakers. This Polk Audio Legend Series L100 Bookshelf Speaker review details everything you need to know before making your buying decision.

The Polk Legend Sound on a Budget

The flagship L800, which I reviewed a few weeks ago retails for $6,000 a pair, which is rather costly for any loudspeaker, let alone one from Polk Audio. Thankfully the smaller bookshelf speaker, the L100 at $1,200 a pair is here for those wanting a bit of that Legend sound but on more of a budget.

A Two-Way Bookshelf Speaker

The L100 is a two-way bookshelf speaker that utilizes the same one-inch tweeter and five and a quarter inch mid/bass driver found in the must costlier L800. The L100 even has the same cabinet construction and finish options as the L800. Everything all the way down to the binding posts is the same. The L100 does lack the L800’s SDA-PRO technology, which in my tests was a bit of a mixed bag, so its absence on the L100 may be more of a good thing for listeners than bad.

On its own merits the L100 is a very capable two-way bookshelf loudspeaker. It possesses a largely uncolored sound that favors neutrality over possessing any outright character of its own. It has surprising bass response for a speaker of its size and when positioned properly can cast a soundstage that is quite impressive.

The caveats that I have with the L100 are this; like its big brother, the L800, it too is power hungry and requires a capable amplifier in order to sound its best. It also doesn’t have the widest dispersion, meaning careful setup and placement is required in order to get proper center imaging and lastly, among its competition, there are other options out there that can do what the L100 does for a little less money.

All things considered though, and among its stablemates, the L100 IS the better or best buy in Polk’s Legend Series of loudspeakers. It is. Mate it with a capable subwoofer and the L100 would likely give even the L800 a run of its money in the right setup.

BEFORE YOU GO! BE SURE TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO REVIEW OF THE POLK L100 ABOVE!