Description
Vanishing Series 265-RT in-wall 3-way speakers with paintable grilles offer full-range, dynamic audio without visible speaker boxes. Superior controls and the patented Power Port bass venting system guarantee spectacular sound in any room environment. Build a Complete high-performance audio system that always delivers and never distracts with these low-key loudspeakers. Tailor the performance to suit your room environment with superior audio controls to the most spectacular sound. Easy to install, this speaker blends seamlessly into your décor. The unique, wafer-thin grille is magnetically secured to deliver nearly transparent, ultra-small perfs and dynamic, unimpeded sound. Even while performing at this level, Vanishing RT speakers are a great value in today’s hottest style of custom-installed loudspeaker.
From the manufacturer
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Power Port TechnologyPowerPort bass venting is Polk’s patented design for smoothly transitioning the air flow from the port into your listening area, eliminating turbulence and distortion, for bigger, more efficient, deep bass impact. |
Sheer-GrilleVanishing Series built-in speakers feature our exclusive wafer-thin Sheer-Grille, a magnetically-secured grille that protrudes only 7mm from its surroundings. Sheer-Grilles have nearly transparent, ultra-small perfs, and are acoustically inert, for dynamic, unimpeded sound and more uniform coverage, even in larger rooms. |
Reflective Room CompensationReflective surfaces in rooms can make sound brighter and cause image distortion. Engaging the Vanishing reflective room compensation feature (by selecting the low setting) lowers the tweeter level to compensate for reflective surfaces. Vanishing reflective room compensation is a custom audio control that cuts the level only in the 4-5kHz range, exactly where reflectivity destroys sound quality. Outside this narrow 1kHz band, the tweeter retains its detailed and accurate high frequency response, for no loss of realistic musical details. |
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Timbre-MatchingVanishing Series RT speakers are timbre-matched to Polk RTi speakers to insure utterly seamless blending from speaker to speaker in systems that combine traditional and built-in speakers. |
Simple SetupEasy one-cut, drop-in installation puts built-in audio within reach, with Perfect Fit templates, a precision flange, and (available) pre-construction brackets; achieve secure, vibration-free efficiency with a simple turn of the patented Rotating Cam system. |
Distance ToggleIf positioning limitations demand that your loudspeakers be installed closer than 2 feet from side walls, the proximity of the surface can result in a response bump between 50 and 200Hz. This can create a ‘boomy’ sound. The Vanishing wall distance toggle switch is a custom audio control that adjusts the crossover to flatten response and tune out boomness, without sacrificing deep bass response, for more lifelike sound and more flexible placement. |
Important information
Legal Disclaimer
We ship by UPS the day you order and double box your shipment for extra protection! Price listed is per speaker.
Roughin’ It –
One impressive in-wall speakerI purchased this speaker as a stand-alone center channel speaker for my 5.1.2 channel audio system. And out of the 7 speakers I have installed, this is by far the best of the bunch. Even compared to the other Polk speakers I used, this thing imparts serious depth and detail to my audio. And it’s perfect for the center channel, which is more focused on voices in my system. The size of the woofers allows the speaker to really emphasize the sound, volume and tone of voices, so our dialogue is crystal clear.I’m not sure about the specific numbers, but I believe it handles power more effectively too. It gets a bit louder than my Front side speakers when playing the same audio, perhaps it’s the two-woofer design or maybe just an better S/N ratio. Regardless, it just works.As a true testament to how much I love this speaker, I am seriously thinking about replacing my other Polk in-wall speakers with this. Unfortunately, this guy is a lot more expensive and only sold as a single speaker. Wish Polk would offer it in a discounted pair!!!
Chuck –
Be vewy, vewy careful when installing.The mounting of the in-wall speaker is easy and it’s not. In wall speakers are primarily made for new construction installation. With new construction you can more properly place the speakers and bury the wires more easily. These points are especially true for ceiling placement. For old construction, if you are not adept at finding the studs you could make a major mistake and have more work after installation. Burying the wires could be very difficult depending on the distance involved. Overall my installation was not particularly difficult. Having the rear speaker wires already in place made it a little easier. My main gripe about the speakers are the ingenious mounting tabs. You have to be extremely care when clamping the speaker frame to the wall board. If not you can brake the clamp so to render it useless or pull the screw head through the hole that is supposed to supply the force to keep the clamp tight. I’ll probly buy the center speaker also. Even more difficult to install due to having to cut a stud to properly center it.
Niven –
Above Average Value But Sound On-Par with PriceI must be missing something here based on the other reviewers.Solid build. For the cost, these are basically what you are paying for in terms of sound and receiving a little more in terms of features and build quality. They look very clean when installed properly. So overall above average value.I knew I would be sacrificing a little with the lack of enclosure on the rear but overall impressed with how it’s managed. Definitely not blown away but not crying about it either. Definitely recommend tossing some audio insulation around the rear of these. It’s cheap, you’re ripping your wall to shreds anyway and it goes a long way.Sound is well balanced but definitely requires a sub to complete any kind of true depth, as with pretty much any in-walls for entertainment systems.You defintely need to tweak your receiver settings to get these to your liking. Play around with your levels until you say “ahhh, that’s it”. Default usually isn’t the winner.Read the couple paragraphs in the manual regarding the 2″ wall distance and tweeter filter as well. The wall distance switch matters most and for most it’s going to be over 2″. My tweeter filter is on given the acoustics of the room, but presumably most people will want it off.The sound itself, once tweaked (I’m using a brand new Denon receiver) is what you would expect from a speaker that costs this much. The other reviewers…I don’t know. I just don’t agree with what many have said in regards to the final product. They sound good but I am not doing cartwheels. The room we tossed them in definitely wasn’t getting the GoldenEar budget which is why I purchased them.At the end of the day if you can spend a little more I would look at in-wall enclosed or ultra slim on-wall options or Speakercraft makes some reasonably priced 3 ways that plop in your wall just as these do.Overall I am not disappointed but not going crazy like many other people here. No my objective to be a Debbie Downer but wanted to give a more realistic review than what is posted here. I know I would have appreciated reading it.
Rick Foss –
Save your money and buy their 2 way speakers insteadThese speakers are super easy to install and sound incredible but only AFTER you add a sub woofer. I have (4) 2 way JBL studio monitors on our main floor with a Klipsch sub as my comparison. I was hoping to not need a sub as the 265’s have a woofer built in. After installation I hooked them up to my Yamaha receiver to see what they sounded like. Very tinny at lower listening levels. As I increased the volume they began to clear up and come into their own. At levels that my neighbors likely wouldn’t enjoy they sounded REALLY good. I went downstairs and grabbed my Klipsch sub and added it to the mix, problem solved sounded INCREDIBLE!! Knowing what I know now I would have just bought their 2 way speakers, saved a bunch of money, and added the much needed sub to the system. Grilles are super clean but I think I’ll leave them off. These look REALLY sexy without the grilles on them and even the wife agreed.
JuanR –
Everything I ExpectedSpent probably too many hours researching speakers for the new home theater setup, but knew I wanted in-wall / in-ceiling speakers. Used the 265s for front (left, right & center) channels and the sound is amazing. Not tinny at all as others have said and produce decent bass a subwoofer. Extremely happy with the sound and product quality and the included templates make it impossible to not cut the openings correctly. “Vanishing Series” is a great name because you hardly notice they are even there. I think that most people that were not happy with the sound didn’t put any baffling or boxes behind them to contain the sound and keep it from “leaking” into the wall cavity. These speakers are deep and will fill a standard 2×4 depth wall, so plan accordingly and carefully and you won’t be disappointed
Charles Thompson –
Nice upgradeEasy install and crystal clear sound
KJ –
Great value & speakers!I really love these speakers.I replaced 2 really good Polk tower speakers with these so I could utilize a projector screen in my man cave. I’m using them as my Front L & Front R speakers behind an Amazon purchased Elite Screens audio-transparent screen (model ER100WH1-A1080P3).However, I wouldn’t buy these if you don’t plan on getting a sub.I’ve paired these with a Polk Center Speaker, Polk Sub, 2 Polk RC85i’s as my rears, & 2 Polk RC60i’s in my ceiling.Even though these will be hidden from view, I was amazed at how tight to the wall the actual speaker/cover was. They look amazing. It has an extremely low profile, even less than the other wall/ceiling Polk speakers I have. And the magnet covers are so easy to take off compared to all my other in-wall speakers.Installing them is easy (running the speaker wire can be the tricky part).What you’ll need:Tape measureStud finder (highly recommended)LevelPencilLaser level (optional)Sheetrock saw (can get for like $4 @ a hardware store)*make sure you don’t cut into any electrical, plumbing, cold-air return, etc. I installed these in the only room in my house that has a drop ceiling, so I was lucky and had a better idea of what I was dealing with. Still there are no guarantees you won’t find any surprises until you actually cut the hole.If you’re not comfortable doing this, I would recommend hiring a professional.*make sure to stay 1- 1.5″ away from any stud. You want the tabs to fully install so you get a good hold.
T. Soczka –
PowerfulI installed these with the matching center channel. Hooked up to my old Yamaha home theater it sounds great! I had similar floor standing Infinity towers and matching center but these blow it away. Also 10 to 20% louder at same power level than the infinity. Template provided to cut out the hole was perfect. My only comment would be to make sure you’re 1/2” to 1” away from a stud so that the clamps that old it in place can flip out and grab the backside of the drywall.
Vince G. –
Easy install sound greatI already had purchased other Polk products for my in wall system. These replaced my box 60 series that were on Wall. Took me about 20 minutes to cut and install both. Super easy to install used my battery mini sawzaw. You need to know where your studs are and if a wall on other side what is there. Dont need to go real deep most wall board is half inch or less. My case I have light socket in bath. I measured missed it easily and exact height I wanted. They look professionally installed and sound great. Easy grill cover magnets are great.
BearsIn3D –
good speakersarrived fine. sound very good with the right amp…. but… if you want it to sound not as flat…build a box enclosure for it…. sounds better with a box enclosure…Polk used to sell one specifically for these speakers….. but many are making one similar themselves.. you really need a good amp to push them to get the sound they were designed for out of them . remember these are mid bass and high speakers….. so dont expect a lot of low base out of them