1. 1
Signature Series Owner’s Manual
S60e, S55e, S50e, S35e, S30e, S20e, S15e, S10e
EXPECT GREAT SOUND
S60e S55e S50e S35e
S30e
S20e S15e S10e
1. 2
Technical Assistance or Service
If anything is missing or damaged, or if your speaker fails to
operate, notify Polk Audio Customer Service immediately at
800-377-7655 (M-F, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EST, US & Canada only).
If, after following the hookup directions, you experience difficulty,
please double-check all wire connections. Should you isolate
the problem to the speaker, contact the authorized Polk Audio
dealer where you made your purchase, or contact Polk Audio
Customer Service 800-377-7655 (M-F, 9 a.m. -5:30 p.m. EST,
US & Canada only) or via email [email protected]. Outside
the US & Canada, please visit www.polkaudio.com for support
contact details.
WARNING: Listen Carefully
Polk Audio loudspeakers and subwoofers are capable of playing
at extremely high volume levels, which could cause serious or
permanent hearing damage. Polk Audio, Inc. accepts no liability
for hearing loss, bodily injury or property damage resulting from
the misuse of its products. Keep these guidelines in mind and
always use your own good judgment when controlling volume:
• Limit prolonged exposure to volumes that exceed 85
decibels (dB). For more about safe volume levels, go to
the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)
guidelines at http://www.osha.gov/.
Product Disposal
Certain international, national and/or local laws and/or regulations
may apply regarding the disposal of this product. For more
information, please contact the retailer where you purchased
this product or the Polk Importer/Distributor in your country.
More information is also available at www.polkaudio.com or by
contacting Polk Audio at 1 Viper Way, Vista, California, 92081,
USA.
Phone: 1-800-377-7655.
This symbol on our electrical products or their
packaging indicates that it is forbidden in Europe to
discard the product in question as domestic waste. In
order to ensure that you dispose of the products correctly,
please dispose of the products according to local laws
and regulations on the disposal of electrical
and electronic equipment. In doing so you are
contributing to the retention of natural resources and to the
promotion of environmental protection by the treatment and
disposal of electronic waste.
Contents
Safety Instructions ................................................................ 3
What’s In The Box ................................................................ 4
How to Connect Your System............................................... 4
Signature Series Speaker Positioning ................................... 5
Specifications ....................................................................... 7
S10e Wall Mount Template ................................................... 75
Expect Great Sound
Thank you for choosing the Polk Signature Series of
loudspeakers. This new line is bold, stylish and quality-built
for performance. The high efficiency Signature Series features
Polk patented Dynamic Balance
®
tuned drivers and tweeters
for clearer highs and more realistic mid-range. Power Port
®
technology creates bigger, more musical, deep bass impact.
The Polk Signature Series is equipped with an expanded array
of high performance state-of-the-art audio technologies that
elevate home theater and music with incredible detail. And
with their American modern styling, each speaker features
gorgeous curves and aggressive accents that fits any décor.
Pure and simple, the Polk Signature Series are American HiFi
engineered and designed with your entertainment in mind
Having built our reputation as “The Speaker Specialists” for
more than 40 years, we take pride in our superior sound
and build quality, which features many patented and award-
winning audio innovations. For the people of Polk, building
audio products is not just a job—it’s a passion. And if you’re
going to remember one thing, remember this: We live by the
truest principle of what audio should deliver—great sound at
an affordable price for everyone!
Signature Series
1. 3
Safety Instructions
This product was designed and manufactured to meet strict quality
and safety standards. Please note the following installation and
operation precautions:
1. Read Instructions. All the safety and operating instructions
should be read before the system is operated.
2. Retain Instructions. The safety and operating instructions
should be retained for future reference.
3. Heed Warnings. All warnings on the products and in the
operating instructions should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions. All operating and use instructions should
be followed.
5. Damage Requiring Service. Unplug this product from the
amplifier or receiver and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel under the following conditions:
a. If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into
the product.
b. If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
c. If the product does not operate normally by following the
operating instructions. Adjust only those controls that are
covered by the operating instructions, as an improper
adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will
often require extensive work by a qualified technician to
restore the product to its normal operation.
d. If the product has been dropped or the cabinet has
been damaged.
e. When the product exhibits a distinct change in
performance this indicates a need for service.
6. Carts and Stands. The products should be used only with
a cart or stand that is recommended by the manufacturer.
An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care.
Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause
the appliance and cart combination to overturn. Use caution
when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury
from tip-over.
7. Correct Use. This product is not intended for use outdoors.
8. Register Your Product. Registering your product is the best
way to ensure we can contact you regarding safety notices.
Safe Limits of Operation
Polk Audio specifies the recommended amplification range for
each of its passive (non-amplified) loudspeakers. Typically that
specification will be expressed as a range of power such as
20-200 Watts (per channel). It is important to understand what
those numbers mean when choosing a receiver or amplifier for
your Polk loudspeakers. The lower number indicates the lowest
continuous rated power that will yield acceptable performance in
a typical listening environment. The higher number indicates the
highest per channel power that should be used with your Polk
speakers. That number should not be confused with a “Power
Handling” specification, and it does not imply that the speaker will
safely handle that full amount of power on a long-term basis. We
specify a wide range of power ratings because not all electronics
manufacturers use the same method for rating power. In fact, high
quality lower-rated amplifiers sound better and play louder than low
quality units with higher power rating.
Similarly, we recommend using amplifiers and receivers with rated
power above the Power Handling limits of our speakers because
having extra power available for short term peaks is conducive to
better sound quality, maximum dynamic range and effortless high
volume output. But we strongly urge you not to use the full power
of your amplifier or receiver for daily listening.
Loudspeakers can be damaged when an amplifier, regardless of
its wattage, is made to play at higher listening levels than its power
can clearly produce. Operation at this level can result in very high
levels of audible distortion originating in the amplifier, which can add
a harsh, gritty sound to your listening material. Simply put, avoid
excessive amplifier volume. If you hear distortion—turn the volume
down or risk damaging your speakers. You can damage just about
any speaker, regardless of power rating, if you drive an amplifier to or
beyond the point of distortion. And always make sure the amplifier is
turned off when you’re connecting or disconnecting cables.
1. 4
Binding Posts
To connect wire to the binding post, unscrew the binding post cap
and insert the bare wire into the hole near the base of the binding
post. Do not insert the insulated part of the wire into the hole as
this will not give you a good connection. Tighten the binding post
cap until it seats firmly with the wire, but do not over tighten.
Connectors
You have several options when choosing connectors for your
speaker wires, and it’s really a matter of personal preference.
Three of the more commonly used are banana plugs, spade lugs
and bare wire. If you know where you want to locate your speakers
and plan to set up your system and leave them there, then bare
wire will work fine. Just make sure there are not stray strands of
wire that could come into contact. If you like to experiment with
different speaker locations, spade lugs or banana plugs offer
more convenient options when it comes to disconnecting and
reconnecting wires.
Banana Plugs (US only)
Signature Series binding posts have openings in the ends of their
caps to accept individual and dual banana plugs. To use banana
plugs, carefully pry out the binding post plugs to expose banana
plug holes. The binding posts can accept dual banana plugs.
Basic Tower, Center, Bookshelf and
Satellite Surround Speaker Hookup
(S60e, S55e, S50e, S35e, S30e, S20e, S15e, S10e)
Make sure that the red (+) and black (-) connectors on your
amplifier or receiver connect to the red (+) and black (-) connectors
on your speakers. If your speakers sound “thin,” with little bass
and little or no center image, odds are that one of the speaker
wires is connected backwards. Double check all connections.
What’s In the Box
Each box contains:
1. Loudspeaker(s)
2. Owner’s manual
3. Registration card
4. Adhesive-backed rubber pads (eight for bookshelf speakers or
four for center channel speakers)
5. Wall mount template (for S35e, S15e and S10e only)
(Speaker cable not included)
How to Connect Your System
To get the best sound quality, it’s important to wire your
speakers correctly.
Wire Preparation
Follow the hookup directions included with your receiver/ amplifier.
Strip 1/2” (12.7mm) of insulation from each of the two conductors
of the wire to expose the bare metal and twist each of the individ-
ual conductors into single unfrayed strands. Note that one of the
terminals on the rear of each speaker is red (+) and the other is
black (–). Make certain that you connect the wire from the positive
(+) terminal of your amplifier or receiver to the red (+) terminal on
your speaker and the wire from the negative (–) terminal of your
amplifier or receiver to the black (–) terminal on your speaker. Most
wire has some indicator (such as color-coding, ribbing or writing)
on one of the two conductors to help you maintain consistency.
These recommendations are for all connections from the
amplifier/receiver to each speaker:
Power Amplifier
Runs Gauge mm2
Lengths up to 25' (5 m) 16 or better 1,5 or better
Lengths greater than 25' (5 m)
but less than 50' (15 m)
14 2,5 or better
Lengths greater than 50' (15 m)
but less than 75' (25 m)
12 4,0 or better
Lengths greater than 75' (25 m) 10 6,0 or better
Signature Series
1. 5
Bi-Wiring (S60e, S55e and S50e Towers)
Bi-wiring can provide noticeable improvements in the overall
transparency of your loudspeakers. After removing the jumpers,
run separate speaker wires to the low and high frequency drivers
from a single amplifier (the upper set of binding posts are for the
high frequency drivers, the lower set of binding posts are for the
low frequency drivers). Connect one set of speaker wires to the
upper terminals on each speaker and one set of wires to the lower
terminals. Connect the other ends of both wire sets to the same
amplifier outputs. See Amplifer/AVR’s user manual for
configuration instructions.
Bi-Amping (S60e, S55e, S50e Towers)
Bi-amping allows you to use separate amplifiers for the high and
low frequency sections of your loudspeaker for greater dynamic
range and lower distortion. We recommend that your separate
amplifiers have identical gain to preserve the speaker’s voicing
balance. After removing the jumpers, connect the speaker wires
from the high frequency amplifier outputs to the upper set of
terminal posts on each speaker. Follow the same procedure for
connecting the low frequency amplifier outputs to the lower set of
terminals. Remember to maintain correct wiring polarity
(+ to +, – to –) in all connections. See Amplifer/AVR’s user manual
for configuration instructions.
Placement Recommendations for the S35e and S30e
Center Channel Speaker
The most popular placement for your S35e or S30e center channel
speaker is on a shelf below your flat screen TV (if you have an older
box TV, a popular option is to place your center channel speaker
on top of it, anchoring the dialogue and effects to the screen).
Note: For older TV’s, the S35e and S30e are NOT
magnetically shielded.
Also compatible as a left, center or right speaker (L/C/R), the
S35e center channel speaker includes built in keyhole slots for
easy wall-mounting (see instructions on wall mount template for
more information).
Processor Mode
Note: Set these speakers (S35e, S30e, S20e, S15e, S10e) to
“small” in your receiver’s Bass Management Settings. Set to “large”
for tower speakers (S60e, S55e, S50e).
The “bass management” or “speaker configuration” menus of most
surround receivers offer the choice of “normal” or “wide” modes for
smaller speaker operation. In discrete channel digital processors,
these modes are referred to as “small” and “large.” Normal (small)
mode filters bass frequencies from center channel, bookshelf and
satellite surround speakers, and sends them instead to the front
left and right main speakers or to the subwoofer output (LFE) jack.
Wide (large) mode sends an unfiltered, full-range signal to these
speakers. Use the Small (normal) mode for optimum center and
surround channel performance and reliability.
Signature Series Speaker Positioning
To maximize the sound quality of your speaker system— whether
you’ve purchased tower speakers, a center channel speaker,
bookshelf speakers, or satellite surround speakers —correct
placement is everything. Take a look at the following examples
and give them a try based on the Signature Series speakers
you’ve purchased.
Note: Your Signature Series speakers are compatible with 2.0, 2.1,
3.1, 5.1, 7.1 and 9.1 setups (optional subwoofer shown
in graphics).
L
L
L
-
-
-
-
-
--
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
R
R
R
High FrequencyAmplifier
Low FrequencyAmplifier
Lower
Input
Lower
Input
Upper
Input
Upper
Input
L
L
- -
-
--
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
R
R
Amplifier
Input Input
1. 6
Listening in 2.1 System
Get the most realistic stereo image by placing speakers as far
apart as the listeners are sitting from them. If room conditions
require that you place the speakers farther apart, you may
choose to angle the speakers toward the middle to support a
more solid center image.
Listening in 5.1 Surround
You can use the Signature Series speakers as rear surround
speakers in a Polk Audio home theater surround system. Ideal
rear channel surround speaker placement is on a side wall,
slightly behind and above the listening position.
Note: If you cannot place rear surrounds on the side walls,
position them on the rear wall above the listening position.
Listening in 7.1 Surround
Enjoy added depth to your surround sound experience with four
rear surround speakers instead of two.
Wall Mountable Speakers (S35e, S15e, S10e)
These speakers feature built-in keyhole slots and a threaded
screw insert (S10e only) for easy wall mounting. Use included
wall mount template to safely wall mount these speakers.
Adding Adhesive-Backed Rubber Feet
(S30e, S35e, S20e, S15e, S10e)
To keep your Signature Series speakers firmly in place and
prevent damage to floors or furniture, it’s a smart idea to attach
the included adhesive-backed rubber feet to the bottom of
your speaker.
Cleaning Your Polk Speakers
You bought Polk quality for a reason. Keep your speakers
looking good for years to come with these simple tips.
Peel and stick in corners of speaker enclosure
Clean cabinet with a damp cloth. Do not use furniture polish on veneer.
Sub
Front
Left
Front
Right
Sub
Front
Left
Rear Left
Surround
Rear Right
Surround
Front
Right
Center
90º
TV
90º
20º 20º
Back Right
Surround
Back Left
Surround
Sub
Front
Left
Rear Left
Surround
Rear Right
Surround
Front
Right
Center
90º
TV
90º
20º 20º
Signature Series
1. 7
Clean cabinet with a damp cloth. Do not use furniture polish on veneer.
Signature Series Specifications
S60e S55e S50e
Full Range Passive
oorstanding Loudspeaker
Full Range Passive
oorstanding Loudspeaker
Full Range Passive
oorstanding Loudspeaker
Transducers
Tweeter
1—1in Terylene High-Res
Dome Tweeter
1—1in Terylene High-Res
Dome Tweeter
1—1in Terylene High-Res
Dome Tweeter
Mid-bass
3—6.5in Dynamic Balance
Mica Reinforced
Polypropylene Drivers
2—6.5in Dynamic Balance
Mica Reinforced
Polypropylene Drivers
2—5.25in Dynamic Balance
Mica Reinforced
Polypropylene Drivers
Crossover Frequency
2.4 kHz 2.4 kHz 2.3 kHz
General
Recommended
Amplification (wpc)
20–300 20–200 20–150
Impedance
Compatible with 8 ohm
outputs
Compatible with 8 ohm
outputs
Compatible with 8 ohm
outputs
Overall Frequency Response
36 Hz–40 kHz 40 Hz–40 kHz 42 Hz–40 kHz
Sensitivity
90 dB 89 dB 88 dB
Electrical Inputs
Dual gold-plated 5-way
binding posts
Dual gold-plated 5-way
binding posts
Dual gold-plated 5-way
binding posts
Weights and Dimensions
Height (inches/mm)
44.5 / 1130 41.5 / 1054 37.4 / 950
Width (inches/mm)
8.5 / 216 8.5 / 216 7.5 / 191
Depth (inches/mm)
15.7 / 399 12.5 / 318 10.9 / 277
Width including feet
(inches/mm)
11.7 / 297 11.7 / 297 10.3 / 262
Weight
52 lbs. / 23.6 kg 44 lbs. / 20kg 32 lbs. / 14.5kg
1. 8
Signature Series Specifications
S35e S30e S20e S15e S10e
Left/Center/Right
(L/C/R) Loudspeaker
Dedicated Center
Center
Loudspeaker
Full Range Passive
Bookshelf
Loudspeaker
Full Range Passive
Bookshelf
Loudspeaker
Uni-Pole Surround
Loudspeaker
Transducers
Tweeter
1—1in Terylene
High-Res Dome
Tweeter
1—1in Terylene
High-Res Dome
Tweeter
1—1in Terylene
High-Res Dome
Tweeter
1—1in Terylene
High-Res Dome
Tweeter
1—1in Terylene
High-Res Dome
Tweeter
Mid-bass
6–3in Dynamic
Balance Mica
Reinforced
Polypropylene
Drivers
2–5.25in Dynamic
Balance Mica
Reinforced
Polypropylene
Drivers
1–6.5in Dynamic
Balance Mica
Reinforced
Polypropylene
Driver
1–5.25in Dynamic
Balance Mica
Reinforced
Polypropylene
Driver
1–4in Dynamic
Balance Micra
Reinforced
Polypropylene
Driver
Crossover
Frequency
2.7 kHz 2.8 kHz 2.4 kHz 2.3 kHz 2.1 kHz
Wall Mounting
Option—
Key Hole slot
Yes No No Yes Yes
Wall Mounting
Option—1/4"-20
Threaded Insert
No No No No Yes
General
Recommended
Amplification
(wpc)
20–150 20–125 20–125 20–100 20–100
Impedance
Compatible with
8 ohm outputs
Compatible with
8 ohm outputs
Compatible with
8 ohm outputs
Compatible with
8 ohm outputs
Compatible with
8 ohm outputs
Overall Frequency
Response
70 Hz–40 kHz 55 Hz–40 kHz 44 Hz–40 kHz 48 Hz–40 kHz 75 Hz–40 kHz
Sensitivity
89 dB 89 dB 88 dB 87 dB 85 dB
Electrical Inputs
Single gold-plated
5-way binding posts
Single gold-plated
5-way binding posts
Single gold-plated
5-way binding posts
Single gold-plated
5-way binding posts
Single gold-plated
5-way binding posts
Weights and
Dimensions
Height
(inches / mm)
4.1 / 104 7.5 / 191 14.8 / 376 12 / 305 8.4 / 213
Width
(inches / mm)
24.4 / 620 20 / 508 8.5 / 216 7.5 / 191 5.4 / 137
Depth
(inches / mm)
6.1 / 156 10.6 / 269 13.8 / 351 10.2 / 259 6.1 / 155
Weight
14 lbs / 6.4kg 19 lbs / 8.6kg 17 lbs / 7.7kg 13 lbs / 5.9kg 6 lbs / 2.7kg
Signature Series
1. 9
Limited 5-Year Warranty
Polk Audio, Inc., warrants to the original retail purchaser only.
This warranty will terminate automatically prior to its stated
expiration if the original retail purchaser sells or transfers the
product to any other party.
Polk Audio, Inc., warrants, to the original retail purchaser
only, that the LOUDSPEAKER(S), PASSIVE CROSSOVER
COMPONENT(S) and ENCLOSURE on this Polk Loudspeaker
Product will be free from defects in material and workmanship
for a period of five (5) years from the date of original retail
purchase from a Polk Audio Authorized Dealer.
To allow Polk to offer the best possible warranty service, please
register your new product online at: www.polkaudio.com/
registration or call Polk customer service: Monday - Friday (9am
-5:30pm ET) 800-377-7655 in the USA and Canada within ten
(10) days of the date of original purchase. Be sure to keep your
original purchase receipt.
Defective Products must be shipped, together with proof of
purchase, prepaid insured to the Polk Authorized Dealer from
whom you purchased the Product, or to the Factory at 1 Viper
Way, Vista, California 92081. Products must be shipped in
the original shipping container or its equivalent; in any case
the risk of loss or damage in transit is to be borne by you. If
upon examination at the Factory or Polk Authorized Dealer
it is determined that the unit was defective in materials or
workmanship at any time during this Warranty period, Polk or
the Polk Authorized Dealer will, at its option, repair or replace
this Product at no additional charge, except as set forth below.
All replaced parts and Products become the property of Polk.
Products replaced or repaired under this warranty will be
returned to you, within a reasonable time, freight prepaid.
This warranty does not include service or parts to repair damage
caused by accident, disaster, misuse, abuse, negligence,
inadequate packing or shipping procedures, commercial use,
voltage inputs in excess of the rated maximum of the unit,
cosmetic appearance of cabinetry not directly attributable
to defect in materials or workmanship, or service, repair, or
modification of the Product which has not been authorized or
approved by Polk. This warranty shall terminate if
purchased from an unauthorized dealer or if any of the
Serial number on the Product has been removed, tampered
with or defaced.
This warranty is in lieu of all other expressed Warranties. If this
Product is defective in materials or workmanship as warranted
above, your sole remedy shall be repair or replacement as
provided above. In no event will Polk Audio, Inc. be liable to
you for any incidental or consequential damages arising out of
the use or inability to use the Product, even if Polk Audio, Inc.
or a Polk Authorized Dealer has been advised of the possibility
of such damages, or for any claim by any other party. Some
states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential
damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply
to you.
All implied warranties on this Product are limited to the duration
of this expressed Warranty. Some states do not allow limitation
on how long an implied Warranty lasts, so the above limitations
may not apply to you. This Warranty gives you specific legal
rights, and you also may have other rights which vary from state
to state.
This Warranty applies only to Products purchased in Canada,
the United States of America, its possessions, and U.S. and
NATO armed forces exchanges and audio clubs.The Warranty
terms and conditions applicable to Products purchased in other
countries are available from the Polk Authorized Distributors in
such countries.
Polk Audio is a DEI Holdings, Inc. Company. Polk Audio, Polk, Power Port
and Dynamic Balance are registered trademarks of Polk Audio, LLC. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Designed and Engineered in U.S.A. Made in China.
1. 74
Signature Series
1. 75
S10e Wall Mount Template
Keyhole Slot
Threaded Insert
(1/4"-20)
1. 76
1 Viper Way
Vista, CA 92081
800-638-7276
www.polkaudio.com
email: [email protected]
twitter: @polkaudio
HBP4183
