Polk S30 vs Polk S35 

Hey, A ton of thanks! I have been looking for same comparison across the internet. It was very nice to see both being compared side by side. Changed my mind and now going with S30

I listened to audio on an audiophile pair of headphones (open back, neutral rating). Importantly I get a hearing test done every two years (for my job purposes), and my hearing is A1 (no issues). After listening and relistening to the S30 and S35, it was immediately evident that the S30 had a fuller, richer textured sound coming from them. The S35 had a more treble signature to it and sounded less rich and much smaller with a more subdued and leaner bass extension. They both visually look attractive, especially the S35, and are probably much more easier to place in a cabinet. Whereas the S30 is a big heavy meaty speaker, finding space for it in the front position is slightly more challenging. The sound dynamics of S30 are more like what you would experience in a cinema setting. They sound forward, large, and much more exciting, although the treble is much less pronounced. The E35 seems to be great with smaller sounds and lots of treble but a much smaller and less dynamic sound that seems more suited to late-night listening. The E30 has another issue though, I noticed that there was distortion when the incoming sound was extremely bass-heavy. The E35 is a great-looking speaker and more practical to install in small spaces, but it just has no excitement or presence. If you want the large cinema experience, the S30 will do a much better job. In my humble opinion, the S30 was the much better speaker for an immersive cinema experience. The E35 more suited to a bedroom environment or if you live in small apartments and you don't want to annoy your neighbors.

Why people are nagging about bass? It's a center speaker, eihter your fronts or sub provide bass enough!

I have the S35 paired with the S60’s and HTS12. I went with the S35 because of the size constraints. When I get a new 77” OLED in 2 years to replace my 65” OLED, it will be wall mounted and I will get a new lower entertainment stand so I can fit the S30 but until then I am fully enjoying my S35 and my HT sounds really great. Thanks for the video!

The S35 Center Channel and a pair of S20's complete my from stage and I couldnt be happier!

When the gentleman is comparing the 2 speakers he mentions the s35 twice.

S35 is for better Voice (This is for what a center is there). S30 has just a bit better bass. But If you have a 2/5/7.1 Setup, bass is not the work of a center, fot that you have a subwoofer. So S30 if you just want to use it solo, like a "soundbar" for looking trash tv. And S35 if you want to get the best for your surround setup.

HUGE difference! I wish they made a center with four 5 1/4s!

I went with the s35 for the slim profile and for one other reason you didn't mention, a wider soundstage. If the few traditional center channel speakers I've tried, they all seemed narrow, in a tunnel almost. Good review overall. I love this series Polk made!

i got the s35 on black friday for 50% off. I haven't hooked it up yet. But i know peeps say the s30 has more bass. but i THINK nearly everyone high passes the center channels anyway at around 80hz. so i think the low frequency response is irrelevant.

I have S35 its good 👍

I think I'm going with the Polk S35 because I have the polk powered 12" sub. My current center is the Polk Audio Blackstone TL1 Speaker Center Channel. I don't need the S30 for bass but I need the S35 the get a bigger center stage. I wish you would chop up the video with 5-8 seconds of one then the same time and scene going back and forth. It's better for comparison

Best review on youtube bro. Thank you,

Thank You so much !!

Polk S30 sounds better to me

I see so many people that look at the -3db point of the bass and set the crossover to that. Not a good move. First if your A/V receiver doesn't have individual cross over points probably time to upgrade. Second keep in mind that cross over point is not a hard cutoff, it rolls off. The subs are not going to take over at 39Hz if your mains are rated for 40hz -3db. You need overlap. Personally if the speakers -3db point is 40hz I go with 60Hz crossover and most of the time 80Hz. I have two subs.

more videos please

The Centre speaker is your surround system, so get a good one.

Thank you for the detailed analysis i am considering buying the s30 but the hole in my cabinet is only 19cm high i see on polk they say its 19.05 cm high is there a chance you can measure the height and confirm for me please

Good conclude

S35 its good, ....clarity sounds

Hy nice speaker but it's only center speaker playing or with others speakers

s30 sounds bigger and dialog has more body but csi a6 is better than both at this price

Cheers!

S35 is muddy and will be muddier on Higher volumes and the bass is lacking, because it has a smaller driver and cabinet..

I have a s30 and its amazing

Hi, quick question, can the S35's be used as wall mounted front left & right channels not just center?

Hi,currently running Polk T series setup with denon1600,which is better upgrade among s30&s35.

I have the s35 i mite get another one just to use it for two channel atmos and get a s30 for center. S35 isn’t so loud and the s30 is a perfect fit to finish up my 7.2.2

S35 i think is softer and clearer

I feel the Bass is better in S30..

Which better vocal in normal tv programs s30 or s35.....or not...???

Thanks for the review 😀

how does the signature series sound compared to Klipsch? I can't find a BestBuy with demo.

Can make video with vocal dialogues movie clips...And what is buy price.....

The clarity sounds better on the s35.

Do compared with csi A4

Witch one is better s30 or s35

Get the Polk csia6 by far the best and most powerful Center from Polk

And your av receiver volume level....

Are you playing only center speaker ?

The s30 lot more defined an bass

The s35 sounds more clear for dialog

S35 has better clarity..S30 has better bass...

Sorry but both crap