Polk Audio 80 F/X-LS In-Ceiling Speakers

This is a review of the Polk Audio 80 F/X-LS in-ceiling speaker and trust us, if you are looking for a premium in-ceiling audio experience that costs hundreds less (and sounds better) than Bose’s Invisible 791, you should take notice. These big driver multi-directional speakers come with an RRP of $699 direct from Polk. Its purpose is to deliver full-range audio without the necessity for additional subwoofers, but how do they sound, and how do they compare to other speakers on the market? Let’s find out.

What is the Polk 80 F/X-LS?

The Polk Audio 80 F/X-LS is one of polks highest-end-in ceiling speakers designed to give the highest audio quality possible in a design of this nature. The feature two multi-directional tweeters designed to give a room greater coverage of the highs and mids. The mids are further enhanced by the huge 8-inch woofer that also drives the bass response.

Most ceiling speakers we reviewed in the past have drivers between 4 and 6 inches, so 8 inches is a huge step up (that’s what she said). The pure size of the driver allows each speaker to throw more air volume and better create a realistic sub-bass response.

The obvious competitor here is the Bose 791, which is starting to seem very overpriced thanks to this speaker and a couple from Klipsch. Both have two tweeters set in different positions, but the woofer on the Polk is bigger.

A bit about ceiling speakers!

Ceiling speakers are not meant as a direct replacement for a true hifi stereo system. No artist ever intended for you to listen to the music straight down on your head, so no, I won’t be like other reviewers and treat them that way. We compare like with like here, and the thing we like about systems mounted on ceilings and wall is their inobtrusive nature in the design of your home.

Not everyone is an audiophile, and not everyone wants to take up space in their house with a large set of speakers lying out in the open. They are great for that purpose, but as we see in this review of the 80 F/X-LS, these can also sound really good, not hifi good for the same money but still really good and enjoyable.

How do you install ceiling speakers?

The obvious answer and the one we recommend is that you get a professional to install your ceiling speakers, and if doing so, this should be factored into the cost. It is a job that can be handled by DIYers, but you will miss out on the professional’s knowledge of spacing, sound planning, and positioning the drivers for an optimum listening experience.

If you do fancy having a go at installing the speakers yourself, then make sure you have all the tools ready beforehand as well as the necessary components to make this work. Im talking about cabling and an amplifier.

Because the 80 F/X-LS are not powered speakers, you will need to connect them via cabling to a source device (amp or integrated amp and receiver somewhere in your home). I also advise that you use the appropriate fire-safe cabling designed to be used inside walls and ceilings.

Luckily Polk includes a template for the exact cutout size in the box, so you know exactly how big to make the hole. Have your speaker grilles painted before you get started if you want them to color match the room?

Once everything is wired up, install the cables to the speaker and insert the unit inside your ceiling before clamping down the pressure clamps to ensure a secure fit. Once this is done, pop on those grilles and start enjoying your music.

Build Quality and Design

There really isn’t a lot to talk about with the 80 F/X-LS. They are a ceiling speaker, and almost all look the same. Of course, there is no contrary on the back, so what is there to talk about? Materials.

The materials used on the 80 are good; the high-grade plastic used in the chassis inspires confidence. The speaker is very heavy, so to support the components using brittle plastic would have limited its lifespan.

The drivers are high-end as well, with Polk 0.75 inch dual silk dome tweeters combined with a metallic finished subwoofer. No Biocelulose here, so we expect that to pay dividends in the sound section due to the speaker’s greater ability to resist distortion.

Sound

Simply put, these are the best-sounding in-ceiling speaker I have heard to date, and I have heard a lot. While overall, I loved their energy and presence, the definitive area that led me to my conclusion with them was the bass. The low end of the 80 F/X-LS is just so impactful and hard-hitting, yet it resolves beautiful details and textures in the low end when it’s called up. It’s tightly controlled and uncompromising.

The distortion test showed that vocal clarity remained high when watching movies and even when we were to push the volume very high (well past the point you would comfortably listen to). It’s quite impressive, and the dual tweeters are likely where this ability comes from because despite the bass getting boomier, it was still composed, yet at that same time, the tweeters remain composed no matter how hard you try to get them to slip up.

With the large drivers, I was so impressed by the bass that I can easily see this being used in a setup without a separate subwoofer being required. However, if you do choose to go down the sub route, just know that the 80 F/X-LS can keep up and hold their own distinct position.

It’s extremely impressive, and testing them side by side with the Bose 791 reveals that while the Bose still sounds great, the Polk sound even better. Somehow they throw their sound better, making for a more natural and enveloping listening experience.

Final Verdict

To say I like the Polk 80 F/X-LS would be an understatement. I fell in love with them because this is how a home cinema setup should sound. Hard-hitting yet distinctly clear and natural. It ticks all the boxes for me to the point that if I didn’t already have the Bose 791 installed in my house and I was starting from scratch, these are the speakers I would choose.