Vintage KEF's versus Vintage Polks?

Echosphere

Hi Polks!

Brand new to the forum!

Have been a KEF fan forever but just this weekend saw a pair of RTA 8T's and 11T's on eBay which got me started thinking of "changing brands".

I remember hearing Polks a long time ago at Magnolia HiFi here in Seattle and thought I might give them a shot.

I'm not a luddite, but I do enjoy older quality used speakers. Better construction, with heavy bracing, nicer veneer and simpler crossovers. Plus, they're cheaper, alot cheaper.. Also, I'm recycling, and recycling is good, right?

Not a fan of the newer KEFs (except the crazy expensive Reference line) nor newer Polks but was thinking I might be interested in the RTA or SDA line. Simple crossover for upgrading, butyl rubber surrounds and upgradable factory tweets really has me interested, as all of you know I imagine!

So, any of you also KEF users? I have a pair of KEF Q80 and also have owned RDM 2, 102/2 and 103/3.

Thanks in advance and man is this Forum board great! I could spend all this rainy weekend in it. Just might actually hang out on the couch with the lazy cat....

Cheers,
Scott

zarrdoss

get the RTA 11t's better bass. and going price in excellent condition is around 150 all stock.

Tony M

The polks will sound a little brighter to your KEF ears.If you don't mind turning the treble down sometimes the lines of older Polks are realy a sonic pleasure to own. :cool:

I've owned a few KEFs and alot of Polks. My ears are thicker than most so brightness is Ok with me like ugh, umph... Klipsch speakers' horn sound.

Well if your wanting something different in your sound, you're coming to a great company's older line-up of very nice speakers. If and when you hear the SDA line, you might regret all that time lost not hearing what Polk uncovered years ago.

I just had ANOTHER guy say yesterday that my SDA-SRS2's were the best speakers he's ever heard. And he's heard alot in his lifetime.;)

Echosphere

Going to listen to a pair of RTA-11TL $500 and RTA-15TL $800 tomorrow in Seattle. But not sure about their price.... Seems a bit high.

Anyways, I had planned to bring some of my most "shrillest" music as I thought they might be a bit more bright than the KEF Uni-Q laidback sound. My ears should know in a few secs if its true.

I do wonder though, if I find a pair and drop in the RDO tweets, I might find them more to my taste? Seems I hear quite few folks here that say they are a bit more laid back?

cnh

That is way too high a price for those...do a search here and you can see what others paid. I think someone recently picked up a pair of 11TLs for around 200 or less?

cnh

Pycroft

I agree...those prices are RIDICULOUS!

I got my 11TL's for 150 from the forum. I would listen, but wait. The owner would probably consider it a big smack in the face to offer him 200 for the 11's, but that's the going rate.

James

Toolfan66

For those prices GO SDA...

zarrdoss

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

For those prices GO SDA...

+ 1 ^^^^ where were you when a set of 2.3 with new tweets sold for 450 up there? lol

also keep looking keep your money handy and prepare for a road trip to get a good deal.

billbillw

Those prices are insane for RTAs. I wouldn't spend more than $250 on the 11TL and no more than $400 on the 15TL

Echosphere

Thanks everyone!
New to this but thought those seemed a bit high. Then again there seems to be such a large discrepancy in the vintage used Polk market. Seems the consensus is wait for the right price/condition as one will sooner or later come along.

Zarrdoss is probably right and I've got a VW Golf with spacious fold down cargo room in the back and good MPG. Were you talking about those 2.3 being up here? Might have been too big for the place and WAF issues.

I really, really should have pulled the trigger on these on Friday. 1 1/2 hour drive to Portland...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pair-Polk-Audio-RTA-11T-Speakers-Near-Mint-Condition-/120560081113?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item1c11f0d8d9#ht_1210wt_1262

Btw, here is the store selling the 11tl and 15tl
http://www.hawthornestereo.com/

Polk R-30 Small black bookshelf speakers. 8 $89
Polk RTA-15TL Large towers in Oak. Big sound! 8 $795
Polk RTA-11TL will rock! 8 $489

Tony M

billbillw wrote: »

Those prices are insane for RTAs. I wouldn't spend more than $250 on the 11TL and no more than $400 on the 15TL

X2...I sold my RTA-15tl's for 300. I would've liked more but nobody else called when I started them around 400.

Echosphere

Tony, for that price I could have freighted them from you for cheaper.

Though, I called them and they said the 15TL had been re-veneered. Sigh.