Latest addition - Monitor4

Mystery
Mystery Posts: 2,546
edited April 2012 in Vintage Speakers
Like I need any more bookshelf speakers...:loneranger:
But picked up a pair of Monitor4's anyway.
Haven't given a good listen to them yet but what's your impression on these?
I already have 4.6, 5B and S8. Would like to go big but I don't see any big Polks around here. :(

What's your impression on these little ones?
Thanks

Polk Monitor4 003-small.jpg

Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
Post edited by Mystery on

Comments

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited April 2012
    FWIW, I prefer the original Monitor 4, which used the Peerless silk dome tweeters, to any of the later iterations. But they were all decent loudspeakers, with that Polk "monitor" sound.

    Cute little 221!

    warehousesoundbotl2.jpg
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2012
    They are OK, the tweeter is their weak point. Not a terrible small bookshelf but nothing to write home about. 5Jr+ and 5B's are much, much better, IMO.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • bluecomet
    bluecomet Posts: 1,118
    edited April 2012
    They were my first Polk speakers. I used them as surround sound speakers in a HT system and did an excellent job. For stand alone speakers they are excellent in the mid range department but are lacking in bass. I would use them as surround speakers in a vintage monitor HT system. I think you will prefer your 5B speakers for 2 channel lessoning.
    Polk HT system 1: LSIC, LSI25 mains, LSI F/X rears, Lsi F/X rear centers,
    Yamaha RX-V2500 System, Carver A753 3 channel amp.

    Polk HT system 2: , SRT system with f/x 1,000's rear speakers on 7.1 system currently using Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver, powered by Sunfire Grand Theater amp

    Polk Speaker collection: SDA SRS 1.2tl x 2, SRT system, SDA SRS 2 P/B, SDA 2A, SDA 1C Studio, SDA CRS+, Monitor 7B & 4, SRS 3.1tl, RTA 15tl, LS90, LSI 9
  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited April 2012
    Haven't A/B'ed yet against 5B but so far I like these better than 4.6's that have SL2500 tweeter.
    I'm sure these can't compete with 5B's as they are one of my favorites (currently as surrounds -- fronts are NLA or OHM L).
    4.6 are very forward for my taste while these 4's are in balance. Also, since these have very small port, I like the feel of air puffing out when they are loud. :cheesygrin:

    Looks like time to say bye bye to 4.6.
    Will listen more over the weekend and see how I like them.
    Out of the 4 pairs of Polks, need to get rid of 2.
    5B's are staying so 2 from 4, 4.6 and S8 need to go.
    From my experience, S8's are not made for low volume listening. They don't have clear mid/high range and when cranked up, have too much boomy bass. May be they are like that or caps are swollen.

    Sansui 221 is cute little receiver and is in need of deoxit.
    It's enough for bedroom but can't even power 4's properly as it's only rated at 8 wpc and starts to distort past 12 O'clock.

    Thanks for comments.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.