Lookin at Monitor 10Bs but how do they compare to RTA 12Cs?

4thHorsemen

Needless to say, I'm a newb so I could use your guys' help. I've read great things about the Monitor series and there happens to be some 10B's for sale on CL for $150, 9/10 condition.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ele/1824445630.html

I'm meeting the guy tomorrow and chances are if I go, I probably will buy them. But, how do these compare to the RTA12C's? I just bought some recently (with encouragement from you guys) and I'm quite happy with them. Haven't listened to them much since I was getting ready to move and I just had some new Monitor 70s delivered the following day (for my dad). I ended up listening to the Monitor 70s more because they seemed more dynamic and had better bass but had no regrets since I got the 12C's for $150. I was driving each pair (in 2 channel) with a Harmon Kardan AVR 254. Anyways, was wondering if there was a general consensus as to which is more preferable, the Monitor 10Bs or the RTA 12Cs? I don't really need more speakers but can't pass up a good deal and I will find a place for them. Or if the 10B's are an upgrade, I could resell the 12C's but I'm not ready to do that yet.

I admit, I've been bit by the bug pretty bad and I am addicted. Still amazed at how good a sound can come from such a cheap price. Depending on what you guys say, I may bypass the Monitor 10Bs and buy the Sansui 9090 this guy is also selling.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ele/1833284647.html

Not familiar with this receiver other than I've heard of it and just read very positive reviews. Any input on this receiver with the Polks is also appreciated.

Thanks guys.

kawizx9r

Can't say much about both sets of speakers but having seen Monitor 10's go for less than that, I'd just stick with the RTA 12C's. However if those 10's had peerless tweeters, I might just consider them if it were me.

Btw, you're only 40minutes away...we should get together and get some tunes going!

-Freddy

Zitro

I've never heard the RTA's but I've heard they are great speakers. Monitor 10's go for less than that on occasion; with your current speakers I think I'd wait out for a better deal. See if you can get him to drop the price?

However...the 9090 is an EXCELLENT receiver, in regards to sound quality and quality of construction. The tuner is excellent. I know my Sansui G-9700 makes beautiful music with my Monitor 10's, and the 9090 is known to be built better. If that unit is in excellent shape and has been restored, I would seriously consider it. There is something very cool about a vintage rig. And the SQ of those vintage Japanese receivers is just excellent. Wow, I just said excellent a lot lol. It is justified though, those Sansui's are a different kind of beast.

Sell a kidney and buy them both

4thHorsemen

Right on Freddy. I'd definitely like to check out your gear, I'll take you up on that. Actually may be a bit closer. Just moved to Morgan Hill. I listen to a wide variety of music and always love hearing new music. Hadn't listened to new music for a long time but been hearing some really good stuff lately. Stuck on the Black Keys Pandora station lately but could always go for some Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Pantera, Rage Against the Machine, Primus, Slipknot....

Been meaning to visit a friend in Gilroy so when I do I'll see if you're free. I'll PM you my number and email address lil later. Right now, gotta hit last call.

BTW, your user handle refer to a Kawasaki motorcycle? Just curious, I got a Softail Deuce and a Chopper.

kawizx9r

Sounds good.

Wish I had kept my other gear (was much better than my sig but I'm still happy )

Listen to a wide variety of music myself, and since joining this forum and a few others it's widened to several other categories I never thought I'd listen to.

Gilroy's just around the corner from here as you can see, heck I might even go to San Jose or Monterey tomorrow (depending where she might want to go) so it's never too far away. And yeah my name's short for Kawasaki ZX9R. Had one just awhile back as well as a Honda CBR F4i (Yoshi exhaust and CRG levers) but sold'em both after getting out of the USMC.

Btw, I hate that all the good stuff is just a bit north of here! Good thing though otherwise I'd be emptying my wallet on a daily

-Freddy

falconcry72

4thHorsemen wrote: »

But, how do these compare to the RTA12C's?

I currently own both. I've used both at one time or another for both Home Theatre and 2 Channel rigs.

I like the 12C's better hands down.

To me the imaging is more 3 dimensional, and the bass, while not as punchy as the 10B's, is more solid and natural feeling. The imaging is the main difference though.

They are made up of very similar components, but I like the way the crossovers (real time array) and different drivers in the RTA's work.

If you're under-whelmed with the RTA's you should play with placement- they are very picky. Spread them very wide apart and toe them in to be pointing directly at you, which should be at about a 45 degree angle if they're far enough apart. The closer to the back wall the more bass you'll get.

The RTA12C's are phenomonal speakers and need good power and good placment to shine.

For reference I paid 250 for the 12C's and 75 for the 10B's. I got a better deal on the 10B's but I do not regret paying 250 for the 12C's one bit.:D

engtaz

I've had both. They a similar but 10's win in the looks department.

4thHorsemen

Falconcry, good to know; exactly the information I was lookin for. I was under the impression that you guys like the Monitor series better than the RTA. I know these in question are B's with the less desirable tweets. Maybe I will still pick them up if he drops the price. I understand these are supposed to be really nice with the tweet and crossover upgrades.

For now, I'm also passing on the sansui 9090. I know it has really high reviews but I also found a lot of positive input for some carver models while I was researching these speakers here.

Thanks alll for your input, I keep learning every time from you guys.

BottomFeeder

I agree w/Falconcry that the RTA12C's are the better sounding speaker. Just better everything, especially imaging.

However, with my personal experience, I don't agree w/toeing the speakers in, nor keeping them close to the back wall. In my room, they did better pointing straight ahead & sitting about a foot off the back wall. Much closer &, while I got "more" bass, the bass was bloated and boomy.

Best advice - play with placement until you get what you like!!!

4thHorsemen

Thanks BF. Glad to know I really scored a good deal on these. I didn't have a chance to play around with placement since I was getting ready to move. Now that I moved I was about to set them up but it occurred to me that these speakers are probably not magnetically shielded or are they? If they aren't like I assumed, what is a safe distance away from the tv? I think I read somewhere they should be at least 8' apart from each other. I will play around with the toe in and distance from the back wall.

geppy1

The original RTA 12 12B and 12C were part of the Monitor Series. In fact they were the flagship of that series 1979 to 1987. NOT to be confused with the early 90s RTA 8,11 and 15. Not even sure what the RTA has to do with those models.
I have had early 10s for 27 years and several RTA12 Bs and Cs over the years. The 10s have a little more punch but now having lived with RTA12Cs for a couple of years the 10s sound slightly bloated and the music sounds more like it is coming from a box (compared to the RTA12)s. The 12s are more open and present a very large stage and have more impact on the very bottom. The bass is there when it should be and not there when it should not be. The 12s are more accurate and come off as more of a "audiophile" speaker. A lot of R/D went into the 12s and i think it paid off. I have heard modern speakers costing two or three times what the 12s sold for new and did not think they sounded as real. My wife and son even commented on it. For the $175 to $300 they sell for used I think they are a steal. Keith

BottomFeeder

4th - pay attention to this ^^^ man. From my experience, he is the RTA12 man. Knows more about them than I even want to.

4thHorsemen

Thanks Geppy! I'm pleased to hear this. The information I've received here is beyond what I've expected and its much appreciated.

smcgov34

I've heard both and to me the 12C's win as well. Great soundstage and the mids don't seem quite as far forward