Vintage Polk Monitors as PC speaker

iskandam

I recently gave away my cheap Logitech desktop speakers and saw this as a good excuse to upgrade my PC sound. There are a couple of Monitor 4, 5, and 7's floating around on craigslist that I want to build this simple 2 ch rig around. Using speakers that are bigger than my HT mains for nearfield desktop application is probably a bit overkill, but they can be had for less than powered monitors like M-Audio AV30 or one of the Audioengines, so I figured why not :biggrin:

Thinking of using a Topping TP30 class T-amp/USB DAC combo to juice them. I also looked at a couple of Chinese tube USB DAC/integrated amp combos on eBay but they're only headphone amps.

Is this a good idea? Can I do better keeping in mind the super low budget?

phocion

I think 15wpc is pretty scant for any of those speakers. IMO, the 5's would be the best bet, they have a PR for bass, but not as huge as the 7's, so you can fit them near field

I would keep an eye out on craigslist for a used receiver/amp to run them. Anything you find with an optical/digital coax input will end up being better than that TP30 if your computer has a reasonable sound card. An older onkyo or pioneer will run around the same $ as the TP30, but will offer a lot more bang for the buck.

On3s&Z3r0s

I used a pair of Monitor 5Jr's that way for a while. It worked pretty well, and at least the footprint of the 5Jr's isn't too huge. I agree with getting a used receiver or integrated instead of the class T amps. I've seen a couple threads where people tried similar setups and didn't like the sound quality at moderate volume. The distortion numbers on those usually jump pretty high after the first couple of watts, and it only does 10 watts into 8 ohms.

dorokusai

Keep in mind that since the loudspeaker is about 24 inches from your head, wattage isn't really a factor. PC based systems are near field setups and while it drops a handful of things from what you expect from a speaker, it places more emphasis on other aspects of design.

Clarity and detail will become paramount and immediately noticeable in a speaker you may know intimately and imaging will become a serious definition.

iskandam

I figured the Monitors are pretty efficient speakers and, as Dorokusai said, I'll be sitting about 2ft away from them so I don't need a monster amp. They will be spaced a little over 3ft apart. I'm gonna use some leftover Auralex mopads to angle them down 5 degrees to have the tweeter pointed towards my ears.

I'm going hunting for a used stereo receiver on craigslist, but still keeping the TP30 as an option for now.

phocion

An Adcom 535 would be perfect for those, 65wpc and are often in that price range used.

I know that near field does not need a lot of grunt, but it is nice to have options and headroom.

dorokusai

phocion wrote: »

I know that near field does not need a lot of grunt, but it is nice to have options and headroom.

True. Its always smart to buy above what you actually need since most folks sell their old gear, even when it's a modest upgrade. The Adcom suggestion is great.

zingo

I used a pair of Monitor 4JR for my old PC set-up and it worked great. That Tripath amp would work very well, and provides minimum connections and components with USB in and speaker out.

ben62670

I tried monitor 5's and 7's as PC speakers. They do not work well in that close of a nearfield position. The tweeter is too far from the mid to work well. A full range or a coaxial works best for on your desktop type of speaker.

nadams

I found that the 5's were too large for my computer desk. The R15's work wonderfully in my situation (and I got them when Fry's was blowing them out for $50/pr). I know you're asking about vintage Polks... but unless you have a lot of room on your desk, I'd look for something more compact.

heiney9

What Doro said is spot on. I have a pair of modded 5B's for my office/computer rig and they sit 3 feet across the room on stands facing my desk.

I have powered them with 15 wpc hybrid tube; 12 wpc full tube and 8 wpc full tube and they sound fantastic unless you are trying to knock the pics off the wall. They image like MF'er and it's a slightly different experience than listening to the main rig in a larger room.

5's and 7's will run with as little as 15 wpc in that application.

H9

P.s. Again mine don't sit on my desk just across from my desk approx 2-3 feet away.

iskandam

zingo wrote: »

That Tripath amp would work very well, and provides minimum connections and components with USB in and speaker out.

That's the idea, i'm trying to keep it as simple as possible

Ben, i've also looked at single driver fullrange speakers but they tend to be expensive. I mentioned the Monitors because of their price and availability on craigslist. I'm open to other suggestions that can match that price/performance ratio.

iskandam

I've narrowed down the selection to RT5, Monitor 5, Monitor 5 JR, and Monitor 4.

I don't know where any of them stand in the vintage polk pecking order. Which of them sound best?