Best Of
Monitor series 7, new acquisition, new member
I have been trying to do a modest set up in my basement, which is unfinished, and serves as the smoking area of the house. So far, my system is a Pioneer RT-1020L reel tape deck, and the two Polk speakers I just got Saturday (09/13/25). I have the power source coming in the mail 09/15/25, a JVC JA-S44 integrated amp w/equalizer (45wpc). The Polks are pretty nice, with edge/corner damage in the back of speakers only, with the fronts of both like new. The grills are also fantastic.
Now, as to what model 7 series I have, other than the serial number sticker on the back saying just '7', I learned that pulling the tweeter and looking for the tweeter model #, and I find it's says SL2000, 1985.
Other than pulling out one tweeter for series model ID, I have not done anything else. The surrounds are nice (rubber materiel).
Inspections and tests on the to do list, check ohms on the tweeter and driver. Then inspect the crossover. Other than the seller demo-ing on a Sony (black) receiver to hear them (which as they are now, they sound good to this ole man with bad hearing), I will see about changing any caps or diodes? Oh, I got some nice speaker stands along with the sale. I really like the wood trim on the bottom of them. I really like the front cabs how they curve out, (ie. like advent bullnose??) sort of.
On the one tweeter I pulled, I see what looks like (stamp) M7 ??? (for Monitor 7)??
Well, in closing, I got these Polks picked out from a short list from FB marketplace I was shopping. (BA HD10, Advent 5002, BA 40, Polk Monitor 5). I am real glad I got the Monitor Seven.
Now, as to what model 7 series I have, other than the serial number sticker on the back saying just '7', I learned that pulling the tweeter and looking for the tweeter model #, and I find it's says SL2000, 1985.
Other than pulling out one tweeter for series model ID, I have not done anything else. The surrounds are nice (rubber materiel).
Inspections and tests on the to do list, check ohms on the tweeter and driver. Then inspect the crossover. Other than the seller demo-ing on a Sony (black) receiver to hear them (which as they are now, they sound good to this ole man with bad hearing), I will see about changing any caps or diodes? Oh, I got some nice speaker stands along with the sale. I really like the wood trim on the bottom of them. I really like the front cabs how they curve out, (ie. like advent bullnose??) sort of.
On the one tweeter I pulled, I see what looks like (stamp) M7 ??? (for Monitor 7)??
Well, in closing, I got these Polks picked out from a short list from FB marketplace I was shopping. (BA HD10, Advent 5002, BA 40, Polk Monitor 5). I am real glad I got the Monitor Seven.
gkwolfman
3 ·
Re: Monitor series 7, new acquisition, new member
Hello @gkwolfman. Please allow me to offer you a very warm welcome to Club Polk!
Love the R2R as a source. Congrat's on what you have been able to assemble so far.
Tom
Love the R2R as a source. Congrat's on what you have been able to assemble so far.
Tom
treitz3
1 ·
Re: Mitsubishi LT-30 Linear Arm Turntable
Jay, we should invade Richie's space some Saturday, maybe get that A-ron guy in on it as well๐๐
pitdogg2
1 ·
Re: Mitsubishi LT-30 Linear Arm Turntable
Ooh, pretty turntable!
Thanks to Rich for being willing to admit it to his queue. I'm grateful to have a friend so capable and generous to take a look under the hood.
Following this thread with interest.
Thanks to Rich for being willing to admit it to his queue. I'm grateful to have a friend so capable and generous to take a look under the hood.
Following this thread with interest.
agfrost
4 ·
Re: Everything Matters, Even with RTA 15TLs
It involved a Hellcat Challenger and a very cool Illinois State Police officer. I think that is all I will say! ๐
bcwsrt
4 ·
Re: My 2024 Polk SDA 2b Modification Progress Thread (Drop1)
Folks, I'm starting to think again about next steps on this project. I'd like to get some opinions if possible. What do you all think about adding some extra internal bracing to my 2b cabinets?
I purchased some 1-1/8" dowels a while back. My idea would be to position them front-to-back at the red dots indicated in the below photo. In my mind, this would add some extra stability around the passive radiator. I also think that two dowels around the top edge of the passive radiator would help keep the polyfill in it's place.
Thoughts?
I purchased some 1-1/8" dowels a while back. My idea would be to position them front-to-back at the red dots indicated in the below photo. In my mind, this would add some extra stability around the passive radiator. I also think that two dowels around the top edge of the passive radiator would help keep the polyfill in it's place.
Thoughts?
drop1
3 ·
Everything Matters, Even with RTA 15TLs
This could've also gone in the "Vintage Speakers" section, but I thought it was broader than that. As most of you know, I have been on a journey with my original owner RTA 15TLs for coming up on three years now. Highlights include a crossover rebuild and other mods to the speakers, a new amp, a couple different DACs, new turntable, dual REL subs, room treatments (see my signature for more details) and a recently completed all-Nordost cable loom, finally adding their Heimdall 2 speaker cables, which have probably surprised me the most of all their cables.
Every step of the way, these 30 year-old speakers have responded beyond anything I ever thought was possible. I cannot believe what I am hearing in terms of instrument separation, vocal clarity and soundstage from these things. It is amazing to me. I thought I was completely familiar with these speakers before I started, but they have gone from being something that just sounded good to something that I feel is an actual audiophile, involving experience to listen to.
When I listen to familiar classic rock from back in the day like REO Speedwagon, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Journey, etc., those recordings sound like they were made more recently. Details jump out, they sound more dynamic and life-like and I hear things I never knew existed before. Newer, higher-quality recordings evoke the presence of the venue they were recorded in, be it a studio or a live arena or intimate setting. What once sounded kinda the same recording-to-recording, much like a car stereo does, now sounds full, open and more like it is actually happening in front of me.
I still have things on my wishlist, the journey isn't over yet and I even have non-Polk speakers on the wishlist, which is why I spent more building up my system around the 15s than they arguably deserve. I guess I can only imagine what more well-regarded vintage Polks would sound like. Yikes!
Anyway, just felt like sharing what I've been hearing and even feeling today. It's been a great experience. And as I have posted elsewhere, the majority of the credit goes to several of the GOAT members here. (You know who you are!) Can't go without mentioning that! Thank you (again and again), gents!
Hope everyone else is enjoying this hobby as much, or more, as I have been!
Every step of the way, these 30 year-old speakers have responded beyond anything I ever thought was possible. I cannot believe what I am hearing in terms of instrument separation, vocal clarity and soundstage from these things. It is amazing to me. I thought I was completely familiar with these speakers before I started, but they have gone from being something that just sounded good to something that I feel is an actual audiophile, involving experience to listen to.
When I listen to familiar classic rock from back in the day like REO Speedwagon, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Journey, etc., those recordings sound like they were made more recently. Details jump out, they sound more dynamic and life-like and I hear things I never knew existed before. Newer, higher-quality recordings evoke the presence of the venue they were recorded in, be it a studio or a live arena or intimate setting. What once sounded kinda the same recording-to-recording, much like a car stereo does, now sounds full, open and more like it is actually happening in front of me.
I still have things on my wishlist, the journey isn't over yet and I even have non-Polk speakers on the wishlist, which is why I spent more building up my system around the 15s than they arguably deserve. I guess I can only imagine what more well-regarded vintage Polks would sound like. Yikes!
Anyway, just felt like sharing what I've been hearing and even feeling today. It's been a great experience. And as I have posted elsewhere, the majority of the credit goes to several of the GOAT members here. (You know who you are!) Can't go without mentioning that! Thank you (again and again), gents!
Hope everyone else is enjoying this hobby as much, or more, as I have been!
bcwsrt
6 ·