In this review, we will be comparing R100 and TSi100, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Polk Audio
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk R100 and Polk TSi100 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Polk R100 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter
- 5.25" Polypropylene Turbine Cone Woofer
- 58-39k Hz Frequency Response
- 86 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-150watts
- Weight:5.55kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 326.0" x 6-9/16" x 10-3/16"( 326.0 x 167.0 x 259.0mm )
Polk TSi100 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Dome Tweeter
- 5.25" Organic Fiber Woofer
- 61-24k Hz Frequency Response
- 89 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-100watts
- Weight:4.53kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 279.4" x 7.0" x 10.1"( 279.4 x 177.8 x 259.0mm )
What size room are the Polk R100 and Polk TSi100 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Polk R100 |
Polk TSi100 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Polk R100 and Polk TSi100 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both R100 and TSi100 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Polk R100 |
Polk TSi100 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
R100 features a 1" Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Turbine Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz. On the other hand, the TSi100 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Organic Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
R100 has a frequency range of 58-39k Hz whereas TSi100 has a frequency range of 61-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the R100 can go slightly deeper then the TSi100's min frequency of 61Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
R100 and TSi100 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. R100 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the TSi100's is at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Polk TSi100 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk R100, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using
an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the
max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
R100 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas TSi100 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the R100.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
R100 features Pair of 5-way Binding Posts - Gold-Plated type posts and TSi100 has a Pair of 5-way Binding Posts - Gold-Plated type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Polk R100's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both R100 and TSi100 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Polk R100 Port
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Polk R100's and Polk TSi100's external dimensions. Polk R100 has external dimensions of 326.0 x 167.0 x 259.0mm ( 12-13/16 x 6-9/16 x 10-3/16inch) whereas Polk TSi100 has external dimensions of 279.4 x 177.8 x 259.0mm ( 11.0 x 7.0 x 10.1inch) .
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk R100 and Polk TSi100 in scale.
Comparison image of Polk R100 and Polk TSi100 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Polk R100 is approximately 432.5cm2 / 67.0inch2 and base area of the Polk TSi100 is approximately 460.5cm2 / 71.4inch2. The R100 requires 6% less surface area than the TSi100 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Polk R100 and Polk TSi100 on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Polk R100 weighs 5.55kg / 12.2lbs and the Polk TSi100 weighs 4.53kg / 10lbs. This makes the R100 23% heavier than the TSi100.
Here is a comparison of how R100 and TSi100's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk R100?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R100:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 GrillesOwners ManualOnline Registration
What's in the Box of Polk TSi100?
Here are the items that come with the TSi100:
2 Black bookshelf speakers Detachable cloth grille (installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Owner's Manual Wall-Mount template Online registration sheet Polk Audio product brochure
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
58 Hz
vs
61 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
39k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
432cm2
vs
460cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Price per pair* |
149USD
vs
649USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Polk Audio Reserve R100 |
Polk Audio TSi100 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-150 watts |
20-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.6 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
58-39k Hz |
61-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene Turbine Cone |
Organic Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Pinnacle Ring Radiator |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2700Hz |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
279.4mm (11") |
279.4mm (11") |
| Width |
167.0mm (6.6") |
177.8mm (7") |
| Depth |
259.0mm (10.2") |
259.0mm (10.2") |
| Weight |
5.55kg (12.2lbs) |
4.53kg (10lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black, Walnut, White |
Black, Cherry |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
Keyhole |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
16-30" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |