A bassy budget backyard speaker that lasts for years
The Polk Atrium 6 offers a reliable solution for gardens and patio areas that has a lively sound, with deep bass and clear sound. Not only do they sound good, but they’re also efficient, easy to install, and get impressively loud for a 5.25″ woofer.
Key Takeaways:
- Deeper bass than most 5.25″ competitors.
- Easy to remove grilles for quick maintenance routines.
- Durable design that lasts for years.
- Mounting brackets that can be adjusted in seconds.
Polk is somewhat infamous for their hit-and-miss releases, but the Atrium series is one of the best. The Atrium 6 sits in the middle of the series, with the smaller Atrium 4/Atrium 5 and larger Atrium 8 both also performing well in their budget range. Here’s my experience with the Atrium 6 and who I’d recommend it to.
Editor’s Note: Although I have since replaced my Atrium 6 with the Atrium 8, this retroactive review shares my experience of 5 years using the Atrium 6 on my patio.
Pros:
- Bassy sound that creates great depth.
- Can be mounted vertically or horizontally.
- Speed-lock system makes mounting adjustments easy.
- Efficient design that can get impressively loud.
Cons:
- Quite bulky, which limits installation under smaller eaves areas.
- More emphasis in the treble could add better definition and better balance the deep bass.
Design & Durability: The Polk Atrium 6 Is Built To Last
- Somewhat bulky speaker design.
- Durable design with excellent weather protection.
The Atrium 6 is often compared to Bose’s 251 Environmental speakers, and having tested both, it’s easy to see why. But despite their similarities, these two outdoor speakers have distinctly different designs. Where Bose has opted for a slim, curved speaker that fits into small areas, the Polk Atrium 6 has a wide and somewhat large design.
It’s almost a shame that only an idiot would keep these speakers outdoors with the grille off, because they look awesome with the drivers exposed. The blue driver cone adds a nice touch, and anodized Aluminum tweeters also add some flair.
Even with the grilles attached, they’re good-looking speakers, though. And the way they’re designed is that they can be rotated horizontally, too. I went with a vertical installation, as I didn’t need that broad of a dispersion in my small patio area.
Polk has a short video that showcases the durability of these speakers when it comes to cold temperatures and moisture:
Easy Installation With Speed-Lock System
- Speed-lock system for quick and easy speaker adjustments.
Installation can be a headache, but I had no issues when getting these set up several years ago. The mounting brackets are included, and they include a special “speed lock” system so they can be effortlessly installed and have their position changed to fit the area.
The package doesn’t include speaker wires, though, and these will need to be purchased separately. I’d recommend a 14-gauge if your cabling will run between 30 and 50 feet, 12-gauge if you’re running it more than 50 feet, or 16-gauge for short runs.
Connectivity: Pair With An Appropriate Amp or Receiver for Wireless Connectivity
- Choosing the right amplifier can add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to the Atrium 6.
As with most outdoor patio speakers, they don’t have native wireless connectivity built in. Instead, the type of connectivity you can use will be determined by your choice of amplifier. Given that it’s 2025, I’d recommend going with a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi amp, or something with smart home audio integration if you’re looking to get the best longevity out of it.
I’ve made some recommendations on suitable amplifiers for these speakers below, under the power handling section.
Sound Quality: Bass-Heavy Sound With Clear Vocals
- Bass-heavy sound that differentiates it from a lot of other 5.25″ patio speakers.
- Clear vocals, even at high volume, thanks to their good dynamic range.
- Able to get reasonably loud, covering a medium to large patio area.
The reason I bought these speakers was because of the positive sentiments around their bass. And I can verify that the lows from these speakers are particularly impressive for a 5.25″ woofer. Compared to my Bose 251 Environmental, there’s a noticeable increase in lows with the Atrium 6. Not only does the bass sound a bit deeper, but it’s also more elevated, which makes it more useful for lively gatherings.
It’s not just the lows that impressed me, though; I always found the Atrium 6 to strike an appealing balance in bass and presence of vocals. Some outdoor speakers will sacrifice midrange integrity for boosted lows, but that’s not the case with these speakers. Instead, they deliver clear, vibrant sound with good dynamic range that brings out subtle details in tracks.
Power Handling: Amplifiers To Use With The Atrium 6
- 10 – 100W power handling @ 8-Ohm.
- Sensitivity of 91 dB/1W.
The Polk Atrium 6 is rated for a power handling of 10 to 100W and has a sensitivity of 91 dB. This makes them extremely efficient and able to get surprisingly loud for a 5.25″ woofer. I have these speakers installed about 50 feet from my Bose 251 Environmental, and in a battle between the two, the Atrium 6 gets quite a bit louder.
In terms of suitable amplifiers/receivers, these are some great options:
YAMAHA R-N303BL (100W receiver with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) [Available on Amazon] for a modern solution.
Sony STRDH190 (100W receiver with Bluetooth) [Available on Amazon] is a great choice if you’re on a budget.
Polk Audio Atrium 6 Speakers Features
- Stainless Steel Hardware
- Aluminum Grilles
- No Rust
- Gold Plated 5-way Binding (Easy and secure to hook up)
- Black or White Finish
Value and Alternatives
The Polk Atrium 6 retails for $399, but they are sometimes available at significant discounts. When I picked mine up in 2016, I paid just $199, but these low-cost sales have seemingly become less frequent. Below is a showcase of the pricing over time on Amazon, using CamelCamelCamel to see the historical pricing.
So while it’s challenging to find them at under $250 these days, they are still worth paying retail for.
Compared to similar speakers, I prefer the performance of the Atrium 6, and with the Bose 251 Environmental being a common alternative, I wanted to share how these two speakers compare, having owned both.
| Bose 251 | Polk Atrium 6 | |
| Full Weather Resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Sound Profile | Balanced Sound | Bass-heavy and lively |
| Design | Compact | Bulky |
| Volume | Good | Great |
| Ease Of Installation | Easy | Easy |
| Power Handling | 10-100W | 10-100W |
| Durability | Great | Great |
I’d suggest the Bose 251 if you’re looking for a natural sound, but the Polk Atrium 6 for a more lively sound that is best if you’ve had a few drinks and things are starting to get a little crazy.
Conclusion
I would recommend the Polk Atrium 6 to any homeowners seeking an outdoor audio installation, but who don’t need the larger Atrium 8. If you’re picky about how neutral your speakers sound, they aren’t necessarily the best option out there, but I found them versatile to use and able to fit into most situations just fine.
