added Larry's Rings to my RTA15TL today

cincycat13

I had a day to kill and needed a mental vacation so I decided to install the backing rings on my 15TL project speakers. I am using them as learning so before I tackle my SDA 2.3s.

I needed a drill, a hacksaw, a file, a clamp, and a vacuum cleaner. The first one took close to 4 hours as I learned how the templates worked and technique to stay clean. I also had some wiring to address on this one as well. I completed the second one in under 2 hours.

My learning is this. Take all the drivers, filler, wiring, etc out and just plan to put them back togother. Some of the bracing required cutting on the 6". My original passive only had 4 screws and I did not install the "6 o'clock" screw on the front passive due to interference with the base.

Also, I need to get longer screws for the back passive as there is no grove to inset the basket and the supplied screws are just too short. No big deal.

Not much time to test them as the toy owners were on the way home, but it was a fun project.

I will follow this post with some pix of the stock XO as I had to run new wires from the binding posts to replace some alligator clip runs.

cincycat13

My drivers were stamped "15T" from JUL 1990. I had to modify for 2 braces on one speaker and for 1 brace on the other. The front passive on both needed to be cut. Hope to listen tommorrow.:biggrin:

charley95

cincycat13 wrote: »

My drivers were stamped "15T" from JUL 1990. I had to modify for 2 braces on one speaker and for 1 brace on the other. The front passive on both needed to be cut. Hope to listen tommorrow.:biggrin:

I have a pair of these 15's also. I'm considering buying some 2.3's. Can you explain the difference in sound compared to the 15's? I still think the 15's were one of the best looking speakers Polk ever made.

charley95

charley95 wrote: »

I have a pair of these 15's also. I'm considering buying some 2.3's. Can you explain the difference in sound compared to the 15's? I still think the 15's were one of the best looking speakers Polk ever made.

Do you remember what the ring set cost? You can just PM that to me if you would.
Thanks!

Ricardo

Jeff, you don't need no 2.3's once you have those TL's finished.

Those front passive rings are a pain. And I was somehow able to get all the screws in the back passives, but had to help holding the rings from the inside.

Excellent speakers once the xover is tweaked, and it seems yous are ready..

PolkMaster1

CincyCat -

If you are handy with a soldering iron, you can further improve the sound by upgrading your caps and resistors in the XOver. I recommend Soniccap for the caps and Mills Resistors.

I did this to my SDA SRS 1.2TLs. The difference is night and day!!!

Consider using Dynamat Extreme to apply on your baskets for your drivers and PR to dampen the ringing that can generate when playing sound.

Consider using Blackhole 5 for cabinet damping.

I dont know if tweeter upgrades exist for your model speaker. Others can chime in. You should look into it and consider the possibility if it does exist and their recommendations.

Good luck.

Hamatym

Cincy,
Your timing is perfect....I started on Sunday and had to stop half way because I need tp purchase longer Back passive screws. What size did you find that worked? does 1" make it? All your comments and pic's were right on to what I found out as well. Glad to see our 15T's (ha ha...same label) match up correctly. I already had Ben upgrade the XO's so I can't wait to get these up and running! Can't wait to hear your impressions

cincycat13

Hamatym - Yes, I was thinking 1". The supplied ones I have are 3/4" and I can just get a thread to bite.

Polkmaster - Look at the second post. The third picture shows an XO with Jantzen foil inductors and solen caps. I actually did add some dynamat when I had them apart. I went from an SL2000 to an rdo198 yesterday. I typed correctly ... the last owner preferred the 2000. I may look into some dampening material...will have to see.

Charley95 - I honestly cant compare as I have not heard a "15TL" I say that because the original XO was already out and when I went to splice it in I noticed the resistor is jumpered out on the HF circuit. It looks like factory so I can't explain and I did not try it. I also do not have a set of SL3000 tweeters to try. I can say the SDA 2.3present more of a wall of sound for me compared to what I have, but you need a room that will let you set them up.

Ricardo - I may have to PM you about the mods. I like the 2.3s a lot, but I honestly need to burn in the tweeters and I have in no way done an A/B. Maybe you can respond to Charley95.

charley95

cincycat13 wrote: »

Hamatym - Yes, I was thinking 1". The supplied ones I have are 3/4" and I can just get a thread to bite.

Polkmaster - Look at the second post. The third picture shows an XO with Jantzen foil inductors and solen caps. I actually did add some dynamat when I had them apart. I went from an SL2000 to an rdo198 yesterday. I typed correctly ... the last owner preferred the 2000. I may look into some dampening material...will have to see.

Charley95 - I honestly cant compare as I have not heard a "15TL" I say that because the original XO was already out and when I went to splice it in I noticed the resistor is jumpered out on the HF circuit. It looks like factory so I can't explain and I did not try it. I also do not have a set of SL3000 tweeters to try. I can say the SDA 2.3present more of a wall of sound for me compared to what I have, but you need a room that will let you set them up.

Ricardo - I may have to PM you about the mods. I like the 2.3s a lot, but I honestly need to burn in the tweeters and I have in no way done an A/B. Maybe you can respond to Charley95.

Probably going to buy some 2.3's the non TL's next week. Are yours the TL's?

Ricardo

cincycat13 wrote: »

Ricardo - I may have to PM you about the mods.

Shoot....

Maybe you can respond to Charley95.

On the difference bewteen the 15TL's and the 2.3's? I have never heard the 2.3's, but I've owned a few others, 1B's, SRS's, 1.2 TL's, CRS's, 3.1 TL's..,,

I like the 15 TL's better just because the SDA doesn't do it for me after the initial wow factor, which goes away pretty fast.

heiney9

The SDA WOW factor is still wowing me even after 20 years.

cincycat13

charlie95 - good luck with the purchase. Mine are the non TL version. Are talking about the ones in MI? Looks like a pretty square deal considering $300 in tweeter upgrades.

My speakers are currently stock including the tweeters.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101691

charley95

cincycat13 wrote: »

charlie95 - good luck with the purchase. Mine are the non TL version. Are talking about the ones in MI? Looks like a pretty square deal considering $300 in tweeter upgrades.

My speakers are currently stock including the tweeters.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101691

Yes on the ones in Mi. Just told wife they are not much bigger than my 15's.
Boy is she in for a surprise. These appear to be very well cared for. In the future when I do the XO's will the 194's need to be changed to 198's?
What is rough cost on XO upgrade??

cincycat13

charley95 wrote: »

Yes on the ones in Mi. Just told wife they are not much bigger than my 15's.
Boy is she in for a surprise. These appear to be very well cared for. In the future when I do the XO's will the 194's need to be changed to 198's?
What is rough cost on XO upgrade??

I think I mentioned that the 2.3s weren't much bigger than the 2Bs they replaced. Of course that kept me from asking for help to unload the 155# each speaker. The 15TL and 2Bs are only about 80#. You may be in for a surprise as well. Your ears will thank you, your legs / back will not. :biggrin: A true movers dollie was my saving grace.

Short answer - you will not change to the 198. I purchased parts during a 20% sale and my sonocraft bill was about $250. A very knowledgeable member on options is ben62670. You can PM him about options. Here is a thread with links to other 2.3 xo projects as well as great pictures about that process.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104415

Hamatym

Hey Cincy, I went with the 1" replacement bolts for the rear passive and finished it all up last night. These speakers have so many openings, so the rings really tightened and sealed them up nicely. Listened for hours, I really like the results and they are much improved over stock!!! I will let them break in a little more and do some comparisons to my equally modded SDA's this weekend:)

Ben has done all my XO's thus far, so anyone looking for help...PM him, it's worth your time and money!!