Polk 80 FX/RT

Vanishing Series In-Ceiling Surround Speakers: The Polk Audio Vanishing Series 80F/X-RT in-ceiling surround speakers feature a precision-engineered, minimally flanged design. Polk’s exclusive Sheer-Grille protrudes only 7mm from its surroundings, and installs virtually flush in your ceiling. Mounting the speakers is simple with a one-cut, drop-in installation and the rotating cam stabilizing system. The speakers provide superior high-performance sound from their 8″ woofers and dual 0.75″ tweeters. There are two speakers, one left and one right, included in the box.

Driver Technology

Dynamic Balance Technology: Laser-imaging technology allows Polk Audio engineers to see the entire vibrating surface of a driver and tweeter. This allows the engineers to actually see performance-robbing distortion develop on the speaker cone. Using this data, they can determine the Dynamic Balance of their high-tech materials, and alter the geometry and construction of the speaker to effectively tune out the offending resonance. Exclusive Dynamic Balance Composite Material Technology delivers sound that is effortlessly clean and clear, even at lifelike volume levels.

Klippel Optimized Motor Structures: The Klippel Distortion Analyzer allows Polk engineers to optimize each driver’s motor structure, voice coil alignment and suspension to insure smooth, unimpeded movement even at extreme listening levels. This is especially important in the shallow depth area afforded an in-wall loudspeaker.

Woofer: The 80F/X-RT in-ceiling surround speakers employ an 8″ Dynamic Balance mineral composite polypropylene cone woofer with a rubber surround for a smooth, consistent frequency response. The driver features a lightweight, strong composite basket that works in conjunction with Klippel Optimization to keep moving parts in rigid alignment while further damping performance-robbing resonances.

Silk Dome Tweeter: The speakers employ two 0.75″ Dynamic Balance silk polymer composite dome tweeters for crisp, clear imaging. The tweeters are angled so that they are firing away from each other for a more diffuse soundfield.

Wall Distance Switch: These in-ceiling speakers perform better when placed more than 2′ away from side walls. If mounting limitations prevent mounting at 2′ feet or more from the side wall, the close proximity of the wall can cause increased response between 50 and 200 Hz. This can make the speakers sound «boomy.» To prevent this, the speakers have a «Wall Distance» switch that allows you to indicate the distance from the wall at less than 2′ (< 2′) or more than 2′ (> 2′). The switch flattens the response to eliminate «boominess» without sacrificing deep bass response.

Timbre-Matched: The Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-ceiling surround speakers are timbre-matched to Polk Audio’s high-performance RTi bookshelf and floor-standing loudspeakers. This allows you to match them to an existing Polk Audio home theater speaker system and enjoy seamless blending from speaker to speaker. Timbre-matched speaker components will insure the same true response throughout your system.

Frequency Response: The overall frequency response of the in-ceiling speakers is 35Hz to 27kHz, and the -3dB frequency response is 50 to 25kHz.

Infinite Enclosure Design

Infinite Baffle Tuning: Infinite Baffle Tuning uses the virtual enclosure of the in-wall space for deep bass response and superior overall sound.

Wafer-Thin Sheer-Grille: The Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-ceiling speakers feature Polk’s exclusive wafer-thin Sheer-Grille, a magnetically-secured grille that protrudes only 7mm from its surroundings. The Sheer-Grille can be painted to match your décor, making it virtually indistinguishable from its surroundings. The Sheer-Grille has nearly transparent, ultra-small perfs, and are acoustically inert, for dynamic, unimpeded sound and more uniform coverage, even in larger rooms.

Note: When painting the grille, it is highly recommend that you use a can of spray paint matched to the color of the surrounding ceiling or wall. Brushes or rollers should not be used to paint the grille, as this will clog the perf holes.

Connections

Gold-Plated Spring-Loaded Posts: Each 80F/X-RT has a gold-plated pair of spring-loaded binding posts that can accept up to 12-gauge wire, single banana plugs, or pin connectors.

Mounting Options

Applications: You can use the Polk Audio Vanishing Series in-ceiling surround speakers for the rear channels in a 5.1- or 7.1-channel surround configuration. In a 5.1-channel system, the speakers should be mounted to the sides of the seating positions. When two additional in-ceiling speakers are installed, they should be mounted at the back of the room.

Note: Because of how the tweeters are angled and configured, the 80F/X-RT is not well suited as an in-ceiling Dolby Atmos or DTS:X speaker

Left/Right Orientation: The 80F/X-RT speakers have a left/right orientation, and each is clearly marked on the serial number label.

Rotating Cam System: The speaker utilizes a rotating cam system to ensure a secure, vibration-free installation. There are four rotating cams to hold the speaker securely to the ceiling.

Installation: The 80F/X-RT can be installed in new or existing construction:

• Existing Construction: In existing ceilings, use the included cardboard template for one-cut, drop-in simplicity.
• New Construction: Pre-construction brackets (sold separately) are available for new-build or open-wall retro-fitting.

Dimensions: