Polk Audio T30 Black
Score: 77/100
Sony STRDH190
Score: 73/100Rankings
The Polk Audio T30 is a budget-friendly center channel speaker with high sensitivity and dual woofers that provide clear dialogue. Its limitations include a two-way design and no magnetic shielding details. Ideal for small-to-medium home-theater setups using standard receivers.
The Sony STR-DH190 is a compact 2-channel stereo receiver offering a built-in phono stage, 100 W per channel, and Bluetooth streaming. Its lack of digital inputs and manual impedance adjustments limit modern connectivity. Ideal for vinyl enthusiasts and analog-focused setups.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 20 kHzbest | |
90 dBbest | — | |
50 W | 100 Wbest | |
8 Ωbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 5.19 kgbest | 7.76 kg |
1 | 2best | |
— | 96 dBbest | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 0.09 %best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
General(1) | ||
Warranty (years) | 5 years | 1 years |
Controls(1) | ||
Remote Control | false | true |
Audio(4) | ||
Frequency Response (kHz) | 0.055-24 kHz | 20 kHz |
Impedance (Ω) | 8 Ω | 6-16 Ω |
Channels | 1 | 2 |
RMS Power (W) | 50 W | 100 W |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 5.19 kg | 7.76 kg |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (cm³) | 17202 cm³ | 15944 cm³ |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the T30 for its natural, well-balanced sound and impressive bass response at a low price point, noting its high sensitivity makes it easy to drive with typical receivers. However, they caution that its 2-way architecture and modest power handling cannot compete with premium 3-way center speakers, and its frequency range falls short of hi-res alternatives.
Everyday users consistently praise the T30 for clear dialogue, straightforward setup, and good performance without needing a powerful amp. Common themes include appreciation for its value, compact size, and ease of wiring, while recurring concerns revolve around wall-mounting options, lack of magnetic shielding details, and occasional questions about impedance compatibility.
Professional reviewers commend the STR-DH190 for its clean, detailed audio and robust analog feature set, especially the built-in phono stage and vibration-reduced chassis. While its power output and input versatility are praised, critics note the lack of digital connectivity and the inconvenience of remote-only impedance settings, positioning it as a solid analog-focused receiver rather than a modern streaming hub.
Consumers generally love the receiver's straightforward analog performance, reliable Bluetooth, and value proposition. Common praise centers on easy vinyl setup and solid sound, while recurring complaints focus on missing HDMI, occasional Bluetooth hiccups, and the need to adjust speaker impedance manually.
“amazing sound from a versatile receiver”
“very balanced”
