Polk Audio T30 Black
Score: 77/100
Yamaha R-S202
Score: 79/100Rankings
The Yamaha R-S202BL is a compact stereo receiver delivering 100 W RMS, low distortion, and Bluetooth streaming in a brushed-aluminum chassis. Its feature set is limited by the absence of Wi-Fi, phono input, and advanced digital connections. Best suited for beginners or secondary audio setups needing solid power and simple wireless playback.
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.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 100 kHzbest | |
90 dBbest | — | |
50 W | 100 Wbest | |
8 Ωbest | 8 Ωbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 5.19 kgbest | 6.697 kg |
1 | 2best | |
— | 100 dBbest | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 0.2 %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(3) | ||
Frequency Response (kHz) | 0.055-24 kHz | 100 kHz |
Channels | 1 | 2 |
RMS Power (W) | 50 W | 100 W |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 5.19 kg | 6.697 kg |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (cm³) | 17202 cm³ | 19493 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 and editors commend the R-S202BL for its natural, musically-rich sound and high signal-to-noise ratio, attributing the clarity to an optimized circuit layout. They highlight its strong 100 W RMS output, 40-preset tuner, and value-oriented price, while noting the lack of Wi-Fi, on-screen display, and more advanced streaming features as drawbacks.
Everyday users generally express high satisfaction, praising the dependable Bluetooth connectivity, robust power for small spaces, and the convenient AM/FM preset tuner. Common criticisms focus on the basic spring-clip speaker terminals, absence of a phono input, and limited modern streaming options such as Wi-Fi or a dedicated app.
