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Polk Audio Reserve R900 vs Polk R300 Comparison

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Polk Audio Reserve R900

Passive Surround | 70-32k Hz

Polk Audio Reserve R900
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Polk R300

Passive Center Channel | 65-38k Hz

Polk Audio Reserve R300
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Polk Audio Reserve R900 Polk Audio Reserve R...
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Polk R300 Polk R300
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Polk Audio Reserve R...
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Polk R300
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Polk Audio Reserve R900 vs Polk R300 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Polk Audio. Polk Audio Reserve R900 is a Surround speaker whereas the R300 is a Center Channel speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Polk Audio Reserve R900 and Polk R300 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Polk Audio Reserve R900 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 0.75" Ring Radiator Tweeter
  • 4" Woofer
  • 70-32k Hz Frequency Response
  • 85.5 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Weight:kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 6-1/4" x 6-9/16" x 12-5/8"

Polk R300 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter
  • 2 x 5.25" Polypropylene Turbine Cone Woofer
  • 65-38k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86.5 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:30-200watts
  • Weight:7.64kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 6-13/16" x 19-1/16" x 8-15/16" ( 174.0 x 485.0 x 228.0mm )

Reserve R900 and R300 are members of Polk Audio's Reserve series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

Polk Audio Reserve Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Polk R700
  
Floor-standing 38-38k Hz 88 dB8Ω 2 x 8"
Polk R600
  
Floor-standing 43-38k Hz 87.5 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
Polk R500
  
Floor-standing 49-38k Hz 87 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
Polk R200
  
Bookshelf 51-38k Hz 86 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
Polk R100
  
Bookshelf 58-39k Hz 86 dB8Ω 1 x 5.25"
Polk R400
  
Center Channel 48-39K Hz 89 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
Polk R300
Center Channel 65-38k Hz 86.5 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
Polk R200 50th AE
  
Bookshelf 51-38k Hz 86 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
Polk Audio Reserve R350
  
Center Channel 75-35k Hz 87 dB8Ω 4 x 4"
Polk Audio Reserve R900
Surround 70-32k Hz 85.5 dB8Ω 1 x 4"

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Polk Audio Reserve R900 and Polk R300 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 Reserve R900 and R300 are 2-way speakers.

Driver Polk Audio Reserve R900 Polk R300
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 0.75-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 4-inch 2 x 5.25-inch

Reserve R900 features a 0.75" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 4" Woofer . On the other hand, the R300 features a 1" Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Polypropylene Turbine Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.

Frequency Response

Reserve R900 has a frequency range of 70-32k Hz whereas R300 has a frequency range of 65-38k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the R300 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Reserve R900's min frequency of 70Hz.

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 Surround class in our database.

Low Frequency

Surround Speakers

Reserve R900
R300
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Surround Speakers

Polk Audio Reserve R900
Polk R300
Min
Average
Max

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

Reserve R900 and R300 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Reserve R900 sensitivity is rated at 85.5 dB and the R300's is at 86.5 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Polk R300 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk Audio Reserve R900, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Surround Speakers

Reserve R900
R300
Min
Average
Max

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Reserve R900 features Binding post type posts and R300 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Polk R300Binding post Terminals
Polk R300's Binding post terminals

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 Audio Reserve R900's and Polk R300's external dimensions. Polk Audio Reserve R900 has external dimensions of ( ) whereas Polk R300 has external dimensions of 174.0 x 485.0 x 228.0mm ( 6-13/16 x 19-1/16 x 8-15/16inch) .

Polk R300 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 485mm wider, 174mm taller and 228mm deeper than Polk Audio Reserve R900.

What's in the Box of Polk R300?

Here are the items that come with the R300:
  • Center-channel loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • Owners Manual
  • Online Registration


Reasons to choose Polk Audio Reserve R900 over Polk Audio Reserve R300
High Frequency Response 32000k Hz vs 38k Hz Generates higher frequency
Height 0mm vs 174mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 0cm2 vs 1105cm2 Takes less floor space

Reasons to choose Polk Audio Reserve R300 over Polk Audio Reserve R900

Sensitivity 87 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 4 inches Larger woofer
Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
Low Frequency Response 65 Hz vs 70 Hz Generates deeper bass
Price per pair* 449USD vs 599USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Polk Audio Reserve R900 vs Polk R300 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Polk Audio Reserve R900 Polk Audio Reserve R300
Brand Polk Audio Polk Audio
Speaker Type Surround speaker Center channel speaker
Sensitivity 85.5 dB 86.5 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Impedance n/a 3.8 ohms
Frequency Response 70-32k Hz 65-38k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 2
Woofer Size 4" 5.25"
Woofer Composition Polypropylene Turbine Cone
Woofer Surround Material n/a Rubber
Tweeter Size 0.75" 1"
Tweeter Type Ring Radiator Pinnacle Ring Radiator
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Crossover Frequency n/a 2200Hz
Firing Direction n/a rear
Physical Specs
Height mm (0") 174.0mm (6.9")
Width mm (0") 485.0mm (19.1")
Depth mm (0") 228.0mm (9")
Weight n/a 7.64kg (16.8lbs)
Enclosure Acoustic Suspension
Finish MDF/Vinyl n/a
Available Colors Black Black, Walnut
Grille n/a Yes
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs n/a No
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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