Sl-2000, mw6511, mw6503 (still availible?)

paingod

Just called Polk customer service,
The guy tells me the SL-2000 (tweets) mw6511, & mw6503
Drivers are all still availible??????

I've been looking for a couple 6511's on these boards with no luck
(they get snapped up fast!) as was under the impression all these
Sda drivers and tweets were no longer availible???

Was this CS agent correct??????

heiney9

In the case of the tweeters some CS people just call them the sl2000 since that's the tweet they replace, but no, the sl2000 (as we know it) hasn't been manufactured in over 10 years. As far as the MW drivers, a few years ago they started manufacturing a couple of the vintage MW drivers, which models exactly escape me right now (I think the MW6510 and 6503).

Most people calling in for parts don't know the RD0194-1 is the part number for the sl2000 replacement. Most who visit CP soon learn the model number, but I would assume not all CS people are going to go through the entire explanation of the entire history of the tweeter models..........for them and the general public it's just easier to call it the "sl2000", even though it's not.

Make sense?

H9

paingod

Well I asked him about both (Sl-2000 & Rdo-194)
He said they were BOTH availible, and both the same price!

I suspect he may have had a "liquid lunch"
I'll call back to verify the info.

Joe08867

The SL2000 is out of production. The RDO-194 is it's replacement.

heiney9

I can assure you it's been atleast 10 years since the sl2000 was manufactured and the stock dried up long ago. Although I'm sure for awhile, after they introduced the sl3000 and sl2500, they continued making the sl2000 as a replacement.

IIRC, around 2001-2002 the RD0194-1 and RD0198-1 were introduced as the "new" and upgraded replacement for the sl2000 and sl2500, sl3000 respectively. The company contracted to manufacture the sl2500 and sl3000 stopped making them because of the caustic byproducts produced when applying the "tri-laminate" material to the dome of the tweeters.

POLK R & D went back to the drawing board and submitted atleast 5 alternatives to various manufacturer's, had test products made, and chose the best alternative. The RD0's were R&D'd for atleast a year or more to find the best alternative. This wasn't a "pick something off a shelf somewhere and make it fit" endevour.

H9

paingod

I'm just letting you know what he told me!

heiney9

paingod wrote: »

I'm just letting you know what he told me!

Gotcha.

Just trying to reassure you, he is mistaken or mis-spoke, etc. They will take care of you for sure. Polk CS is the best there is.

fiero11

I called Polk customer service and they also told me that the RDO-194 and sl-2000 were the same tweeter. So I bought 2 used sl-2000 thinking they were the same. I guess what they mean to tell you is that they are the replacement for the sl-2000 and not really the same tweeter. So what they say and what is is not always the same thing.

paingod

EXACTLY!! They actually told me (the 2nd time I called)
"That the sl-2000 is also known as an Rdo-194! But it is NOT the same
As the original SL-2000! (how dumb is that!)

But they assure me that the mw6503, mw6510, mw6511 are "exactly"
The same as the originals! ????? Should i really trust them now??


The best CS there is??

heiney9

paingod wrote: »

EXACTLY!! They actually told me (the 2nd time I called)
"That the sl-2000 is also known as an Rdo-194! But it is NOT the same
As the original SL-2000! (how dumb is that!)

But they assure me that the mw6503, mw6510, mw6511 are "exactly"
The same as the originals! ????? Should i really trust them now??


The best CS there is??

I believe I already explained why to you. The common lay person, non forum member doesn't give a rats **** about a part number.

Yes, you should trust them, if not try trusting a reseller on ebay.

H9

hoog

Called Polk CS a little over a week ago asking about MW6509s for a pair of SDA-1Bs I was about to buy. They said no problem, plenty in stock. It all became a moot point as the 1Bs were actually 1Cs, but...

SDA1C

Hold the phone!... Maybe Ken will verify this? Are there original 6511's to be had? I know there are replacement drivers but the look of the originals is worth its weight in gold. I'm in for a complete driver compliment (SDA 1C) if the originals are available. Im sure your right Heiny, about the ease of conversation to a layperson, but it seems to have caused some confusion if it is indeed the case.

paingod

They assured me the 6511 is "Exactly" the same! I even asked her if they "look" the same
she said "they are EXACTLY the same" where as the sl-2000 & Rdo-194 are not ExACTLY the same as the sl-2000 originals!

and the problems are starting to mount!
Just discovered a problem with my "good" pair of SDA-SRS originals!
anyone good at troubleshooting an issue with these please look for new posting!

pitdogg2

for all intent and purpose they are the same BUT they do not have the +/- leads showing on the front of the cone like the originals

listen to Brock (H9) newbies him know what him speak

paingod

pitdogg2 wrote: »

for all intent and purpose they are the same BUT they do not have the +/- leads showing on the front of the cone like the originals

listen to Brock (H9) newbies him know what him speak

Thats why I question things here. I suspected something was Fishy!

So in summary 2 different people at Polk customer service ("the best there is") are misinformed?? Good Grief!!

Can I assume (judging by my past expierence) that the 6503 they have is also
NOT an exact replacement of the original??

heiney9

Yes, assume all large corporations are evil!

Take your chances on ebay if you don't like the Polk CS answers.

What do you mean by exact? They sell newly manufactured electrically equivalent parts, that's exact to me. Unless you also mean "cosmetically" exact, then they might differ slightly.

I would say we should all be lucky Polk still supports a 20+ year old product. Not many, if any, large corps do that anymore. It's a huge expense to make a very small majority happy.

H9

paingod

heiney9 wrote: »

Yes, assume all large corporations are evil!

Take your chances on ebay if you don't like the Polk CS answers.

What do you mean by exact? They sell newly manufactured electrically equivalent parts, that's exact to me. Unless you also mean "cosmetically" exact, then they might differ slightly.

I would say we should all be lucky Polk still supports a 20+ year old product. Not many, if any, large corps do that anymore. It's a huge expense to make a very small majority happy.

H9

Are you freakin serious???
Exact is the word I used with them!
I expressed my concerns about speakers NOT matching
And YES "exact" means cosmetically to! (do you seriously NOT know this word?)

I appreciate you trying to help, (and you have) but POLK CS
Is definitely NOT the "the best there is" (by now it should be obvious)

Of course you won't agree! I don't expect you too! for whatever reason you can read the words of this thread, but you don't hear what I'm saying!

I'll agree that 99% of the time buying a couple drivers so they match "exactly"
Isn't a big deal! But I'm talking about 8 freaking drivers! (16 if I want both cabinets to match!) that's ALOT of $$ and it's frustrating when
CS is OBVIOUSLY misinformed! And (ALMOST) wasting my time & $$ !

michaeljhsda2

paingod wrote: »

But they assure me that the mw6503, mw6510, mw6511 are "exactly" the same as the originals! ?????

Sonically yes, cosmetically no. Some folks believe the original MW's sound better than the replacement, but I sure as heck can't tell any difference. YMMV.

michaeljhsda2

Original MWxxxx



Replacement MWxxxx

michaeljhsda2

The SL2000 tweeter does not sound as good as the replacement (RDO-194) IMHO and many others share the same view. Not only does the RDO sound better, it looks better too. To each his own. YMMV.

SDA1C

OK this has me curious. I see the replacement driver...not a lot different but enough you could tell side by side. Performance wise, as stated earlier, I'm sure they are an exact match. I couldn't help but wonder though (probably a ? spawned by another thread I've been following) is the dust cap on the replacement air tight? It seems to me you can see the coil through it. If not is this just a ghost in the resolution or what? Is this going to create sealing issues for the PR?

michaeljhsda2

Air leaks through the dustcaps on the originals from what I've read on the forum... but is it more so with the RDO's? I'm not sure.

michaeljhsda2

I didn't say tweeters... I'm talking about the MW RDO's.

F1nut

I'm talking about the MW RDO's.

There is no such driver. The drivers are MWxxx and the tweeters are RD0xxx-1

F1nut

is the dust cap on the replacement air tight?

Nope.

headrott

I don't believe they were "air tight" on the originals (MWxxxx) either though. Maybe they didn't allow air to leak out as fast, but they were not "air tight". Jesse would know better than I though. Would you say this is correct Jesse?

Greg

nadams

To my knowledge, you can't make a mid or woofer "air tight". If you did, the driver would be fighting vacuum to move in and out. In this case, the drivers are sealed to the inside of the cabinet, but allowed to breathe out the front. This wouldn't affect the sealed cabinets, as the driver is not open all the way through.

I could be wrong about that, though... I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Joe08867

Holy cow, Polk Audio is honestly one of the best customer driven companies you will find.

Considering they still support a 20 year old product is proof of that.

The RDO and MW replacements are sonically the same as there original counterparts. And actually the RDO tweeter is much better than the original but still timbre matched to the rest of the SDA and Monitor lines.

As far as physical appearance goes. The MW's have such a slight difference in look as to be almost unnoticeable.

Like others have said. If you don't like what you are hearing from Polk maybe you should try to find a used possibly broken piece on Ebay. I for one prefer the original companies products over some unknown seller.

pitdogg2

paingod wrote: »

Are you freakin serious???
Exact is the word I used with them!
I expressed my concerns about speakers NOT matching
And YES "exact" means cosmetically to! (do you seriously NOT know this word?)

I appreciate you trying to help, (and you have) but POLK CS
Is definitely NOT the "the best there is" (by now it should be obvious)

Of course you won't agree! I don't expect you too! for whatever reason you can read the words of this thread, but you don't hear what I'm saying!

I'll agree that 99% of the time buying a couple drivers so they match "exactly"
Isn't a big deal! But I'm talking about 8 freaking drivers! (16 if I want both cabinets to match!) that's ALOT of $$ and it's frustrating when
CS is OBVIOUSLY misinformed! And (ALMOST) wasting my time & $$ !

Dude you should change your name to P.I.T.A. because you are becoming one. You can do one of two things. Watch Ebay for the original drivers and be prepared to pay top dollar for who knows how the were used or get a replacement from Polk CS, which could of long ago stopped supporting ANY of these 20+ year old drivers. You need to just sit back and relax because at the end of the day who the heck is going to know the difference if you leave the grills on anyway. Buy a new MW make sure you cut the rubber near the screw holes so you don't destroy your new drivers by twisting the rubber surround.
POLK CS RULES

heiney9

Yep, I tried to help him but I'm done. I gave my advice, tried to explain to him the history of the tweeters, etc.

Despite what he says, POLK CS is the best in the business, we all know that. He needs to take a step back, take a breath and have a little patience.

Good luck to you paingod.

H9

nadams

Joe08867 wrote: »

Holy cow, Polk Audio is honestly one of the best customer driven companies you will find.

Considering they still support a 20 year old product is proof of that.

The RDO and MW replacements are sonically the same as there original counterparts. And actually the RDO tweeter is much better than the original but still timbre matched to the rest of the SDA and Monitor lines.

As far as physical appearance goes. The MW's have such a slight difference in look as to be almost unnoticeable.

Like others have said. If you don't like what you are hearing from Polk maybe you should try to find a used possibly broken piece on Ebay. I for one prefer the original companies products over some unknown seller.

You can't say that they're "sonically the same", and then say that the RDO is better. It has to be one or the other

In this case, it's a GOOD thing that they're not sonically the same. The only downside is that you have to replace all your active tweeters at the same time.