Do I need a subwoofer with the ES55?

In a small to medium room, no for most music. For movies or large rooms, a subwoofer adds the deep output the dual 6.5-inch woofers cannot reach.

What receiver power do they need?

At 90 dB sensitivity and 8 ohms nominal, a receiver rated around 50 to 100 watts per channel is plenty. They dip to 4 ohms, so check your amp is stable there.

How do they compare with Polk's Reserve towers?

The Reserve line uses better drivers and a three-way design on some models, giving more midrange clarity. The ES55 costs less and keeps most of the Polk sound signature.

Are they good for stereo music or only home theater?

Both. The neutral tuning and extended treble suit music, and the wide dispersion helps movie soundtracks fill a room.

One floorstanding speaker, a grille, and a base or feet for stability. Speaker wire and amplification are not included.

Can I use them as surround speakers?

They work as surrounds, but their size and cost usually make bookshelf models a better fit for rear channels.

Polk Audio Signature Elite ES55 Hi-Fi Home Theater Floorstanding Speaker

Best price now

$449.00at WalmartChecked Nov 10

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

Polk Audio Signature Elite ES55 Hi-Fi Home Theater Floorstanding Speaker

Best price now

$449.00at WalmartChecked Nov 10

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

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Price facts

Last seen at $449.00 at Walmart on Nov 10.

Our take on the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES55 Hi-Fi Home Theater Floorstanding Speaker

The Polk Audio Signature Elite ES55 is a two-way floorstanding tower speaker with dual 6.5-inch polypropylene woofers and a 1-inch Terylene dome tweeter rated to 40 kHz. Polk's Power Port bass vent and a critically braced cabinet aim to give it deeper, cleaner low end than typical towers in its class. It is efficient at 90 dB and 8 ohms nominal, so most AV receivers drive it easily. It suits movie and music listeners building a full home theater who want a neutral, detailed tower without stepping up to Polk's pricier Reserve line.

Best forHome theater front left and right channelsStereo music listeners who want full-range towersBuyers with a mid-range AV receiverRooms where stand-mounted speakers feel small

Pros

Efficient 90 dB sensitivity works with modest receivers
Tweeter reaches 40 kHz for hi-res audio
Power Port reduces port chuffing and boom
Dual 6.5-inch woofers give solid bass without a subwoofer
Slim 8.5-inch-wide cabinet fits most rooms

Cons

Two-way design crosses low, so midrange detail trails three-way rivals
At 44 lb each, they are heavy to move and place
Bass output is modest for large rooms without a subwoofer
No built-in amplification or room correction

Polk Audio Signature Elite ES55 Hi-Fi Home Theater Floorstanding Speaker prices at every store

WalmartNew
In stockSold by Walts TVReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.
$449.00Free shippingChecked Nov 10
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What reviewers say

Owners and reviewers treat the ES55 as a strong value tower: clear highs, clean bass for the size, and easy amplification. Most criticism centers on midrange refinement and the need for a subwoofer in big rooms.

What people mention

TreblePraisedListeners describe the highs as crisp and detailed, with hi-res material sounding open.
BassMixedThe Power Port gives clean bass for the cabinet size, but owners in large rooms say a subwoofer is still needed.
MidrangeCriticisedSome reviewers find vocals slightly recessed compared with three-way competitors.
AmplificationPraisedThe 90 dB sensitivity means most receivers drive them to loud levels without strain.
BuildPraisedOwners report a sturdy, well-braced cabinet that feels solid for the class.

About the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES55 Hi-Fi Home Theater Floorstanding Speaker

The Polk Audio Signature Elite ES55 is a 2-way floorstanding loudspeaker for home theater and hi-fi music listening. It uses two 6.5" Dynamic Balance polypropylene woofers and a 1" Terylene dome tweeter. The tweeter is Hi-Res Audio Certified and reaches highs of 40kHz and above.

The cabinet is low-resonance and critically braced. A Power Port enhances bass output. The design also includes a Dynamically Balanced acoustic array and precision crossovers.

Type: Floorstanding loudspeaker, 2-way
Woofers: Dual 6.5" Dynamic Balance polypropylene
Tweeter: 1" Terylene dome, Hi-Res Audio Certified
Bass: Power Port enhanced bass
Power output: 20 W RMS, 200 W max peak
Frequency response: 40 Hz to 40,000 Hz
Sensitivity: 90 dB
Impedance: 4 to 8 ohm
Height: 41.5 in
Width: 8.504 in
Depth: 12.5 in
Weight: 44.004 lb
Color: Black
Wireless features: No Bluetooth, AirPlay, AirPlay 2, Chromecast for Audio or Spotify Connect
Smart features

Specifications

color: BlackSource
actual_color: BlackSource
Speaker Output (RMS) (W): 20.0Source
Bluetooth: NoSource
App Control

Questions and answers

Do I need a subwoofer with the ES55?: In a small to medium room, no for most music. For movies or large rooms, a subwoofer adds the deep output the dual 6.5-inch woofers cannot reach.
What receiver power do they need?: At 90 dB sensitivity and 8 ohms nominal, a receiver rated around 50 to 100 watts per channel is plenty. They dip to 4 ohms, so check your amp is stable there.
How do they compare with Polk's Reserve towers?: The Reserve line uses better drivers and a three-way design on some models, giving more midrange clarity. The ES55 costs less and keeps most of the Polk sound signature.
Are they good for stereo music or only home theater?: Both. The neutral tuning and extended treble suit music, and the wide dispersion helps movie soundtracks fill a room.
What is in the box?: One floorstanding speaker, a grille, and a base or feet for stability. Speaker wire and amplification are not included.
Can I use them as surround speakers?: They work as surrounds, but their size and cost usually make bookshelf models a better fit for rear channels.
Where is the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES55 Hi-Fi Home Theater Floorstanding Speaker cheapest?: At Walmart, for $449.00, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES55 Hi-Fi Home Theater Floorstanding Speaker?: Rated 5 out of 5 from 1 ratings.