Monitor 10's in Oak?

slownlo
slownlo Posts: 6
edited September 2010 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Hello,

New to this forum, but not new to DIY and audio....been into this crazy hobby for over 20 years...

Got my hands on some Monitor 10's a few weeks ago and went a lil buck-wylde on them...(lol).

Hated the fake looking rosewood veneer and decided to spruce them up with some real Oak veneer...didn't stop there....rebuilt the xo's (same slope) with all premium parts (Dynamicaps, Mills R's, Foil L's, etc...), replaced the internal wire with 16awg Teflon silver coated copper Mil-spec wire.... replaced the tweeters with the latest SL-2000's (didn't like the Peerless pictured)... the MW-6501's are great so I kept them...

How do they sound? well I'm not sure since I've only completed one of them (lol), but it sure does look nice! Once I am done with the other one I'll give some criticism...rubbed the Oak with 6 coats of Tung Oil (only way to go), now they look just gorgeous...not even in the same class as the originals...

I'm going to redo the grills with some red grill covering (don't laugh! its going to really contrast well against the oak!) so they will really look unique. I ran into these on eBay and saw how big a follwing they had on this forum..so I figured I'd share what I've done so far....

Cheers,
slownlo
Post edited by slownlo on
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Comments

  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited September 2010
    Welcome, SlownLo.
    Nice to see you jumpin in with both feet.
    BTW, which tweeter did you "upgrade" to?

    Depending on which one you are getting, you might need to tweek the HP circuit for the specific tweeter you are using.

    The wiring schematica are here:
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38755
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited September 2010
    Very nice ! Welcome to CP.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited September 2010
    replaced the tweeters with the latest SL-2000's (didn't like the Peerless pictured)...

    ... slightly against the grain of the generalissimo consensus around here...

    but everyones tastes are personal and subjective.

    I like the Oak Monitor 10s -- maybe i'll turn mine into birch :D

    == wayne --
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • slownlo
    slownlo Posts: 6
    edited September 2010
    wayne3burk wrote: »
    ... slightly against the grain of the generalissimo consensus around here...but everyones tastes are personal and subjective. I like the Oak Monitor 10s -- maybe i'll turn mine into birch :D
    == wayne --

    Birch would be sweet...I say go for it.

    Part of my impression may also be due to the fact that I have owned stats most of my life (Quad ESL),... the newer tweets are smoother...somthing I've become acustomed to?

    Cheerio,

    slownlo
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  • slownlo
    slownlo Posts: 6
    edited September 2010
    kcoc321 wrote: »
    Welcome, SlownLo.
    Nice to see you jumpin in with both feet.
    BTW, which tweeter did you "upgrade" to?

    Depending on which one you are getting, you might need to tweek the HP circuit for the specific tweeter you are using.

    The wiring schematica are here:
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38755

    Its the SL-2000/RD0194-1?
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  • Bobsama
    Bobsama Posts: 526
    edited September 2010
    RD0194's are different tweets than the original SL2000's. Did you adjust the XO so that the tweeters have the proper impedence? SL1000/SL2000/RD0194's are not drop-in compatible with the original Peerless tweets (which many people like).
    polkaudio Monitor 5 Series II
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  • slownlo
    slownlo Posts: 6
    edited September 2010
    Bobsama wrote: »
    Did you adjust the XO so that the tweeters have the proper impedence?


    Nope. Had no idea they were different. and no one at polk said anything to me about it. I explained what I was doing, what model speaker/XO I had, etc...

    What needs to be done exactly (thanks for the headsup!)?
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited September 2010
    SlownLo, The actual Peerless Xover is not listed on the spec sheet, (As far as I know) however I linked you to the SL2000 version, which matches the RDO194, which is it's replacement. I don't have my notes on this computer (I am going the other way, adding Peerless) on a Pair, but I believe you will find there is an "extra-strength resistor" on your current Xover, HP circuit, that is not listed/ shown on the Schematic for the Mon10 with the SL2000. I wanna say it is either a 2.0ohm or 2.7ohm.

    the "Rev" one is for SL2000 (&RDO194's) w/ MW6502 or MW6503's.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=18776&d=1155784729

    Hope that is clearer than Mud...LOL
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  • slownlo
    slownlo Posts: 6
    edited September 2010
    kcoc321 wrote: »
    SlownLo, The actual Peerless Xover is not listed on the spec sheet, (As far as I know) however I linked you to the SL2000 version, which matches the RDO194, which is it's replacement. I don't have my notes on this computer (I am going the other way, adding Peerless) on a Pair, but I believe you will find there is an "extra-strength resistor" on your current Xover, HP circuit, that is not listed/ shown on the Schematic for the Mon10 with the SL2000. I wanna say it is either a 2.0ohm or 2.7ohm.

    the "Rev" one is for SL2000 (&RDO194's) w/ MW6502 or MW6503's.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=18776&d=1155784729

    Hope that is clearer than Mud...LOL

    Thanks KC,

    Looking at this scheme, the XO's that came with the speakers are the exact same...with the thermistor for overload protection. There isn't any other R. I'm thinking that the pair of M-10's I bought were "frankenstiens", or rather parts of different M-10 versions. They came with: Peerless Tweets, MW-6501 mid-woofs, and the SL-2000 XO's...is there much of a diff between the MW-6501's and the MW-6503's shown in the scheme? Impedance? Res Fq?...(ugh...)
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  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited September 2010
    Sweet!
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited September 2010
    That speaker has the Peerless tweeter.

    And the veneer looks great. Nice job!


    Edit: Never mind; I see you didn't like the Peerless.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited September 2010
    slownlo wrote: »
    Thanks KC,

    Looking at this scheme, the XO's that came with the speakers are the exact same...with the thermistor for overload protection. There isn't any other R. I'm thinking that the pair of M-10's I bought were "frankenstiens", or rather parts of different M-10 versions. They came with: Peerless Tweets, MW-6501 mid-woofs, and the SL-2000 XO's...is there much of a diff between the MW-6501's and the MW-6503's shown in the scheme? Impedance? Res Fq?...(ugh...)

    Yeh, it's is frustrating when someone just throws 'whatever' Polk drivers in they can find to get them sold..."it says Polk, they must be the same"...hehe
    I had a pair of Mon7's that came with one MW6502 and one MW6501,,,in the same 'set'...LOL

    If you have the Polyswitch, you are definitely dealing with the later "rev" Xover. (FYI: some/ alot of PPL take that out and substitute a 0.5ohm resistor)
    Should be 'good to go' as Far as the RDO-194's....that is the Xover they are intended to go with.

    As far as the MW6501 vs the MW6502's or MW6503's, the MW6503's were/ are the replacement for the MW6502's...If you research them, some ppl like the MW6502's better....IF you are wanting to 'restore' yours and get them to what Polk intended them to sound like (Given your tweeters and Xovers), swap out the MW6501's for some MW6502's...they come up here on the FS section...or find a pair of other Mon series speakers...I picked up a pair of Mon4a's (with MW6502's and bad cabinets) on CL last month for $30 (or so, I don't remember) Then sell off the MW6501's and you're golden.

    As far actual actual specs, there are some values comparing them 'floating around'...if you search you will find it...but the Xover values for them are the same. I looked and I don't have it on this computer...If no one post it, shoot me a PM and I will post it from my Laptop later.

    Enjoy :D
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  • slownlo
    slownlo Posts: 6
    edited September 2010
    kcoc321 wrote: »
    Yeh, it's is frustrating when someone just throws 'whatever' Polk drivers in they can find to get them sold..."it says Polk, they must be the same"...hehe
    I had a pair of Mon7's that came with one MW6502 and one MW6501,,,in the same 'set'...LOL

    If you have the Polyswitch, you are definitely dealing with the later "rev" Xover. (FYI: some/ alot of PPL take that out and substitute a 0.5ohm resistor)
    Should be 'good to go' as Far as the RDO-194's....that is the Xover they are intended to go with.

    As far as the MW6501 vs the MW6502's or MW6503's, the MW6503's were/ are the replacement for the MW6502's...If you research them, some ppl like the MW6502's better....IF you are wanting to 'restore' yours and get them to what Polk intended them to sound like (Given your tweeters and Xovers), swap out the MW6501's for some MW6502's...they come up here on the FS section...or find a pair of other Mon series speakers...I picked up a pair of Mon4a's (with MW6502's and bad cabinets) on CL last month for $30 (or so, I don't remember) Then sell off the MW6501's and you're golden.

    As far actual actual specs, there are some values comparing them 'floating around'...if you search you will find it...but the Xover values for them are the same. I looked and I don't have it on this computer...If no one post it, shoot me a PM and I will post it from my Laptop later.

    Enjoy :D


    KC, you da man.

    I'm actually done veneering the second cab. Just need to do some sanding, and then get some coats of Tung Oil on it, and I can start doing some listening... :o)

    I'm trying to decide how to address the grill covers. If I had thought about it, I would have used magnets under the veneer!

    Polk99.JPG
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,092
    edited September 2010
    Those look beautiful...good job!
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited September 2010
    Yes they do !
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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