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Deal.ai › Polk Audio › In-Wall Speakers
Polk Audio
Polk Audio RC85i

Polk Audio RC85i

Best price now

$299.00at PARTS EXPRESSChecked Nov 10

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

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Price facts

  • Last seen at $299.00 at PARTS EXPRESS on Nov 10.

Our take on the Polk Audio RC85i

The RC85i is Polk's 8-inch two-way in-wall speaker, sold as a pair. It uses a coaxial layout with a 1-inch dome tweeter set into the woofer, which keeps the sound coming from one point and makes placement less fussy. It handles up to 100 W per channel at 8 ohms and reaches down to 50 Hz, so it works without a subwoofer for music and light TV use. It suits people building a clean, wire-only stereo or surround setup; against box speakers at the same level it gives up some bass depth and imaging precision, and it has no Bluetooth, app or streaming features of its own.

Best forLiving rooms and dens where you want speakers out of sightStereo music listening with an amplifier or receiverRear and side channels in a surround systemNew construction or remodels with wall cavities open
Pros
  • 8-inch woofer gives more low-end than most in-wall speakers
  • Coaxial tweeter and woofer aim sound from one point
  • 8-ohm load is easy on most receivers and amps
  • Paintable white grille blends into the wall
  • Sold as a pair, ready for one stereo zone
Cons
  • Needs an amplifier or receiver; no built-in amplification
  • No Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay or app control
  • Bass rolls off below 50 Hz, so deep low end needs a subwoofer
  • Cutting and wiring into drywall is a real installation job
  • Tweeter level is fixed, with no tone adjustment on the speaker

Polk Audio RC85i prices at every store

  • PARTS EXPRESSNew

    In stock

    $299.00Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit PARTS EXPRESS

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Polk Audio RC85i price history

Lowest price we've seen: $299.00 on Nov 10 at PARTS EXPRESS. Tracked across 1 store since Nov 10.

What reviewers say

Owners of Polk's in-wall line generally praise the RC85i for full, room-filling sound that disappears into the wall, and installers like the simple mounting. Criticism centers on modest deep bass and on the plain, no-frills feature set.

What people mention
  • Sound qualityPraisedOwners describe clear, balanced sound that fills a room from an invisible source.
  • BassMixedThe 8-inch woofer gives usable low end, but owners say deep bass needs a subwoofer.
  • InstallationPraisedBuyers report straightforward mounting with standard cutouts and clamps.
  • FeaturesCriticisedReviewers note the lack of Bluetooth, app control and any tone adjustment.
  • AppearancePraisedThe white grille can be painted and blends into the wall.

Specifications

Connections
Speaker ConnectionSource
Bluetooth
NoSource
Color
WhiteSource
App Control
NoSource
Frequency Response (min) (Hz)

Questions and answers

Do I need an amplifier for the RC85i?
Yes. These are passive speakers, so you need a stereo amplifier or AV receiver rated for 8 ohms. There is no built-in amplification or wireless streaming.
Can the RC85i be used without a subwoofer?
For music and most TV watching, yes. Its response reaches down to 50 Hz, which covers most content, but movie soundtracks and bass-heavy music will want a subwoofer.
How many speakers come in the box?
One box contains a pair, so you get two speakers and two grilles. That covers one stereo zone or one pair of surround channels.
Can I paint the grilles?
Yes. The white grilles are paintable, so you can match them to your wall. Remove them before painting and use light coats so the perforations stay open.
Is the RC85i good for surround sound?
It works well as side or rear channels in a surround setup, and Polk does not list it as suited for height or Atmos channels. Use it at ear level or slightly above.
What size hole does it need?
It is built around an 8-inch woofer and mounts in a standard in-wall cutout with clamp tabs. Check Polk's cutout dimensions for your wall before cutting.
Where is the Polk Audio RC85i cheapest?
At PARTS EXPRESS, for $299.00, as of our latest check.

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50.0Source
Suited for Height Channels
NoSource
Chromecast for Audio
NoSource
No. of Speakers (pcs)
2Source
Speaker Output (max peak) (W)
100.0Source
Signal Separation
2-WaySource
AirPlay
NoSource
Spotify Connect
NoSource
Impedance (max) (ohm)
8.0Source
AirPlay 2
NoSource
Speaker Construction
CoaxialSource
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