RTA 12B - Question on price

reberly

I am posting for a friend w/o an account for this ebay ad - http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Vintage-POLK-Monitor-Speakers-RTA-12B-MSRP-1-000-/380228801067?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item588767122b .

Anyone have advice on what the going rate for this speaker should be. Ive searched these forums and I can't find much reference at all to the RTA 12B.

Also interested in comments about the Fosgate Tweeter that sits on top of the cabinet.

Thanks everyone

geppy1

If they were mint with boxes $375 would not be outragous. Considering the one top hat is broken, grill pulls , wrong tweeters you are looking at a $125 to $200 deal. I assume the serial number is around 17 or 18,000?? Those are Peerless but they look like the Denmark made replacements ( not original Polks)and those should have the US made Peerless (or SL10000s in late 12Bs). They stopped using the Denmark made Polk tweeter in 1981 and the crossover was different prior to that and used 6500 drivers. This one uses 6600s. The comment about the heavy magnet on the woofer is interesting as it is a passive and is very light with no magnet.

DaveHo

Well, considering I got a pair of 12Cs in somewhat rough but better condition for way less, I would say they're overpriced. The tweeters almost look like RDO194s but the picture is too far away to really tell. Overall that auction screams stay.

-Dave

falconcry72

I paid 250 for my 12C's, which I feel was somewhat high even given their excellent condition, all original components, original owner's manual, and original sales receipt (I like having that receipt for some reason:)). I didn't mind paying the 250 because they were near by, and I had been looking for a while. Convenience can be a big factor.

I don't know about those fosgates.....

tx_polkhead

I paid $150 for my C's in VG condition. His price sounds outragous but who knows what people are willing to spend.

BottomFeeder

Geppy is the RTA12 Bomb Master, so pay attention to him. Though pics are often misleading, I wouldn't think those speakers would be worth more than $150. Maybe less.

reberly

Thanks everyone. My friend is staying far away from these. I suggested he become a member and look through the flea market here.

geppy1

Yes I think $150 is about right. I think the tree locks are broken off also.

flason

So I contacted the seller. Serial are 17### series. Is that peerless? I offered $150 and they will get back to me. I will probably part out my studio 1C's that I got a month or so back. 1 frozen driver then a mismatch of the rest. My GF has them now. I don't really need more speakers. Have a pair of 2.3's and Klipschorns in the same room!

bsoko2

I have a set of those that I use as R & L surrounds.

Bill

flason

bsoko2 wrote: »

I have a set of those that I use as R & L surrounds.

Bill

I was reading through some of the old posts and someone said that they have 1C's up front and these in the rear. I just wonder how my 2.3's would sound up front with these in the rear? And what to use for a center? I don't think it would be real seamless with different tweeters.

anhedonia

I know the RTA 12 and 12B's and there is something up with those mid-woofers. The tweeters appear as correct but those mid-woofers appear off. That would be the clarification I would ask. The picture is poor but they look like generic replacements.

Check this link for a better picture of the mids
http://media.photobucket.com/image/polk%20audio%20rta%2012b/speakersofthehouse/12-2.jpg

Edit, sorry, wrong thread...

bsoko2

flason wrote: »

I was reading through some of the old posts and someone said that they have 1C's up front and these in the rear. I just wonder how my 2.3's would sound up front with these in the rear? And what to use for a center? I don't think it would be real seamless with different tweeters.

I use a Aperion Intimus 6c for the center and it sounds good with my 2.3 mains.

Bill

flason

bsoko2 wrote: »

I use a Aperion Intimus 6c for the center and it sounds good with my 2.3 mains.

Bill

I was thinking the CS400 for a center. I know all drivers are just as different as the Aperion but it would still be in the Polk family. Also first thing is first. They haven't accepted my offer for the RTA 12's. Will still bi-amp the 2.3's with my Mac 2205 on the top end and my Parasound 2205 on the low end. That should prove interesting.

flason

Drove about an hour to go pick these up today. I arrived and when I fist saw them, I was excited to have a pair of 12B's back. As soon as I lifted the lid, my excitement was replaced by disappointment. In place of the Polk tweeter there was a Rockford Fosgate "The Punch" tweeter. Both speakers were set up the same. Still other things were puzzling but the deal breaker was the tweets. The crossover under the "lid" was marked RTA 12B but the markings near the speaker terminal said 12C with a serial in the 20###'s. I brought equipment with me to take a listen but I didn't even bother getting it out due to the tweets. The owner was a very nice woman and I'm pretty sure the equipment belonged to her son or nephew. She was assured by him that it was original equipment and the Rockford Fosgate and Polk are the same company. I said that may be true but it would be like putting Caravan tires on a Viper. So needless to say I drove an hour back home empty handed, cept for the $200 I pulled out of the ATM. Back in the hunt.

flason

I guess I missed the whole:
Each speakers has: Two 6" Mids, one Rockford Fosgate "The Punch" Tweeter (mounted on top of cabinet, with it's own separate cover), & one 12" Passive Woofer.
Maybe next time I try to read past the excitement.

geppy1

You ran into a common issue. (THE SERIAL NUMBER ON BACK iS WHAT MATTERS In 1984 there was a crossover period were things do not make sense at first but they really do.. The crossovers for mid to late 12Bs and early (84-84) 12C are the same. The 12B on the crossover board means nothing There is ZERO difference . The only difference is the 1983 late 12Bs would use a late US made Peerless. The 1984s late 12B and early 12C used SL1000s Not as nice as the Peerless but better then the 2000. Those should have SL1000s. All Polk did was change tweeters in early 1984 from the US made Peerless to the SL1000 NOTHING ELSE CHANGED

The ones on there look like 90s Denmark made Peerless relabeled Rockford. They are like the early (1977-80) Denmark Polk tweeters but without a vent. The early Denmark made Polk tweeter did come on the early RTA 12s but the crossover was slightly different.

flason

So these are late 1984 12C's with early 1977-80 tweeters? I stayed away because the tweeters looked like the didn't fit quite right in place. They didn't sit flush. And then there was the soft dome "protector". It was a piece of plastic the made an X over the dome. Believe me. If the tweets said Polk on them, they would be in my house right now. I just figured that the $175 plus whatever replacement tweeters would cost would exceed the money I was willing to spend on this set. I bought a pair of 12B's from a member here for $150. Although they weren't in as good cosmetic condition, the sound was superb.

flason

Does anyone know if Rockford fosgate ever had their tweeters in the Polk speakers? Thanks

geppy1

Give me a call and will help you. Check your PM. keith

flason

So I went ahead and picked them up for $165. Will definately work on getting new tweeters. These are 12C and not 12B as the ad says. Serial 20260 & 20287. Even with these tweeters, they do sound good. I haven't taken out the screwdriver as I just want to let my ears be the judge and not just the model # of the driver. The "****" tweets sound smooth but a little too laid back. Here is an e-bay auction for the same tweeters:

http://cgi.ebay.ph/ROCKFORD-FOSGATE-SD4-X-SPEAKER-CROSSOVER-CAR-STEREO-SYS_W0QQitemZ320516702559QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Speakers?hash=item4aa048c15f

I will look for a pair of SL1000's to replace the RF's ASAP unless there's a better choice out there??? I will get some pics up soon. Cabinets are excellent. Few small pulls on the grill but these are very presentable speakers. The tops lost the locking pins but the bass isn't going to knowck them off.