I always enjoy reviewing affordable loudspeakers from Polk Audio, who trumpet high value for the dollar with their philosophy of "Incredible Sound/Affordable Price." They also update their broad and deep product lines more frequently than do most manufacturers. I've always been intrigued by how much Polk has been able to deliver at the bottom of the price range. In fact, the first Polk speaker I reviewed, the RT25i (<A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/417">September 2001, Vol.24 No.9</A>), is the only affordable speaker I've reviewed for <I>Stereophile</I> that I ended up buying (for my computer-based musical-composition system). So, when approached by Polk to review a speaker from their affordable RT<I>i</I> A series, I was interested in the least expensive of that line's five models: the RT<I>i</I> A1 ($349.95/pair).

I always enjoy reviewing affordable loudspeakers from Polk Audio, who trumpet high value for the dollar with their philosophy of "Incredible Sound/Affordable Price." They also update their broad and deep product lines more frequently than do most manufacturers. I've always been intrigued by how much Polk has been able to deliver at the bottom of the price range. In fact, the first Polk speaker I reviewed, the RT25i (<A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/417">September 2001, Vol.24 No.9</A>), is the only affordable speaker I've reviewed for <I>Stereophile</I> that I ended up buying (for my computer-based musical-composition system). So, when approached by Polk to review a speaker from their affordable RT<I>i</I> A series, I was interested in the least expensive of that line's five models: the RT<I>i</I> A1 ($349.95/pair).

<B>RANDY NEWMAN <I>Harps and Angels</I></B><BR>
Nonesuch 075597998931 (CD). 2008. Mitchell Froom, Lenny Waronker, prods.; David Boucher, eng. ADD. TT: 34:54<BR>
Performance <B>*****</B><BR>
Sonics <B>****</B>

<B>RANDY NEWMAN <I>Harps and Angels</I></B><BR>
Nonesuch 075597998931 (CD). 2008. Mitchell Froom, Lenny Waronker, prods.; David Boucher, eng. ADD. TT: 34:54<BR>
Performance <B>*****</B><BR>
Sonics <B>****</B>

One day in the early 1960s, Arnold Gingrich, <I>Esquire</I> magazine's founder and editor-in-chief, phoned his stockbroker with an unusual request: Gingrich needed a cashier's check for $12,000 right away. Would the broker please sell some of Gingrich's stocks?