Polk S30 vs S35 – Differences, Pros and Cons Explained

Both Polk S30 and S35 are signature center speakers with a variety of features. Although many of their features are similar, they also differ quite a lot. The price difference alone testifies about the difference of quality that is supposed to exist between them.

Customers claim that the vocal accuracy and sound stage of S30 is slightly better than the S35 model and recommend using it. The S30 is also more affordable than S35, which is also a decisive factor.

On the other hand, the S35 delivers a better frequency range and is more suited to sit beneath your TV because of its appropriate dimensions. Unlike S30, S35 is short in terms of height and is long, containing smaller drivers to deliver powerful audio.

The difference between both signature center speakers can only be observed once their features and technical specs are listed in detail. We will provide you with a detailed comparison of both allowing you to choose which one is better.

Polk S30 vs Polk S35 – Comparison in Detail

Polk S30 Review

Polk S30 of the signature series is a high end center channel speaker that is equipped with 2 drivers and power port technology to take your sound experience to the next level. This speaker is the perfect addition to your home theatre system.

The speaker fills your room with surround sound and provides you with an immersive sound experience. The new technology by Polk that is embedded in the speaker provides you with rich and clean sound.

This center speaker is specially built to bring the massive surround sound and mesmerizing music experience of theatre to the comfort of your living room. The Polk S30 inherits and continues the Polk tradition of American Hi-Fi and bears the Hi-Res certification.

When you listen to the name of Polk Audio, you expect great quality sound at an affordable price. Polk S30 brings you that.

The speaker is equipped with a new acoustic array, anti-diffraction grille, precision cross-over, modern cabinet design, and bass enhancing technology that gives you the next-gen sound experience of your favorite movies, TV shows, and music. Experience sound like never before.

Major Features

The Polk Signature S30 is packed with a long list of features that enable it to deliver powerful and immersive surround sound and versatile functionality. Some of the most important features of them are:

Dynamic Balance Acoustic Array

The array of composite drivers and the tweeter in the speaker give it superior functionality. The two 5.25 inches big drivers and a Terylene tweeter in the middle present the perfect advanced acoustic array that is designed by experts to balance the sound and bass.

The speaker hence provides you with immersive surround sound that fills your room and delivers the exceptional experience of theatre in your home. You can enjoy music, movies, TV shows, and games with next-level sound in the comfort of your room.

Power Port Technology

Polk S30 has a patent on the Power Port Technology that allows it to produce a strikingly bold and dynamic heart-thumping sound. The speaker delivers a deeper bass and is also equipped with a turbulence smoothening diffuser.

The bass response to the diffuser minimizes the distortion sound to a negligent level, allowing the speaker to produce true, rich sound with deeper bass effects, and allowing you to experience your entertainment to its fullest.

Stunning Black Design

The speaker has a performance-oriented stylish look that is specifically designed as a dominant style. The iconic rounded edges and the extensive detailing of the speaker’s outer body are conceptualized from acoustic guitars. Moreover, the stunning look of the speaker dominates the other objects and speakers on your cabinet.

Extensive Compatibility

This center speaker has versatile functionality and is compatible with various home theatre setups that you can organize as per your requirements in your living room. You can add this speaker to your existing home theatre arrangement, or with the Signature series speakers, you can construct an all-in-one home theatre system for rich, clear, crisp, and room-filling sound with S30 to dominate in the center of it all.

The S30 of Polk Audio offers full compatibility with all of the Polk home theater systems including 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, and 9.1 setups. You can build an amazing home theatre system with a signature series collection of S60 Tower Speakers, S20 Bookshelf speakers, a subwoofer, and an S30 Center Channel speaker in the middle for a perfect surround sound system.

Hi-Res Certified Rating

The Polk Signature series has earned the High-Res Certified Rating in the USA that has enabled them to redefine the American Hi-Fi sound. The commitment of Polk Audio along with its reliability and craftiness has made them one of the most trusted names in the world of audio speakers.

Final Views

Polk Signature S30 is built to bring the immersive experience of theatre surround sound to the comfort of your living room. It is one of the best center speakers that dominates and controls the surround sound in your room and provides you with an elevated experience of your movies, TV shows, and music. Experience your entertainment to its fullest with S30.

Polk S35 Review

S35 is also part of the Polk signature series that has built speakers to bring the surround sound experience of theatres to your home. Polk has built its reputation as a speaker and sound specialist for over 40 years and their signature series is the best of the best.

Although many of the features of this speaker are similar to that of the S30, it is a more advanced and upgraded version of it. This speaker has more drivers, although smaller, but delivers more streamlined and powerful audio than its predecessor.

Polk S35 is also more expensive than S30, but that is justified in being an upgraded model. Some say that Polk figured out what went wrong with S30 and corrected it in S35 while others suggest that S30 was better in many ways and S35, although expensive, doesn’t meet that level.

Both speakers are effective in their ways. The Polk S35, however, comes in a slim design that makes it more appropriate to place under your TV than the bulkier S30. The center speaker delivers a clear and detailed high-end response for improved vocals in movies and music.

Major Features

Although many of the features of Polk Signature S35 are similar to that of S30, there are some that differ in detail and make it superior to the S30 model. The features shared below the ones which differ from S35 from S30. Here are some of the most important features that contribute in this regard:

Ultra-Slim Design

The speaker is 4 inches tall and built to deliver powerful and reliable surround sound. Although the drivers are smaller in size than S30, they are more in numbers and the wise have said, there is strength in numbers. Hence, the center speakers fill your room with powerful surround sound.

The ultra-slim design of the speaker makes its placement under your TV much more appealing. It is designed to fit under the TV and has 6 composite drivers to fill your room with rich sound and deep bass.

Left, Center, and Right Speaker

Unlike S30, the Polk Audio Signature S35 is not only a center speaker. It serves as a center, left, and right speaker. You can combine the same range of speakers to create the home theatre system.

However, the specialist suggests the users use S35 also as a center speaker and use tower speakers and proper home theatre setup around it. In that way, S35 can remain in the center and maintain control of surround sound in the room.

6 Sound Drivers

Polk S35 is equipped with smaller drivers than S30, but they are more in number. The S30 only has 2 large drivers while S35 has 6 drivers, each of 3 inches in size. The larger number compensates for sound power while maintaining a slimmer profile.

Frequency Response

The frequency response of S35 slightly differs from S30. Although the peak frequency is similar, the minimum frequency of S35 is slightly larger that causes a delay in bass effect while playing audios in it. Hence, it will take a while to hear bass sounds in this speaker. However, the delay is minor hence you will only notice it if you are observing closely.

Wall-Mount Design

One of the major problems that S30 faced was that it came in a bulky design that didn’t allow it to be mounted on the wall beneath your TV. However, this problem was resolved in the S35 model.

This speaker comes with key-hole slots that can be used to mount the speaker on the wall beneath your TV. The slim design and stunning stylish black finish make it an appealing partner for your TV screen.

Final Views

The Polk Audio Signature S35 is an ultra-slim multi-placement speaker that delivers amazing rich quality sound with deep bass. The unique design and explosive power of this speaker bring the immersive surround sound experience of theatre to your home. A recommended choice from professionals to take your sound experience to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Polk S30 a good center speaker?

S30 is from the Signature series of Polk Audio. This is a powerful speaker that comes with two large drivers and delivers rich and powerful surround sound to your room with heart-thumping deep bass. This is one of the best center speakers on the market.

Which one is better from Polk S30 and S35?

Both of these speakers have special features that give them superiority over the other. Polk 30 is slightly cheaper, has better vocal accuracy, and also has a better sound stage. On the other hand, S35 has an ultra-slim design with more drivers and better placement options. The slight disparity in frequency and listening response is negligible when these speakers are combined with home theatre systems.

Can I use Polk S35 in a vertical orientation?

Yes, you can. Polk S35 allows both horizontal and vertical placement which enables the speaker to act as center channel speaker as well as left and right speaker. Hence, you can combine multiple S35 to create an innovative home theatre system.

Conclusions

Polk Signature series center speakers S30 and S35 are both equipped with powerful sound drivers and advanced features but slight differences exist between features of both. Considering all the factors, in my opinion, Polk S35 is the better option. Although it’s a bit more expensive than the other and has slight disparities, they are negligible when combined with a home theatre system. Polk S35 has better design and placement options and is lightweight and slim. A recommended choice for home theatre systems.