Are These Monitors 10-A's or 10-B's? And, Any Upgrade Advice?

stretchl

Greetings, all. Great to find this forum.

I bought my Polk Audio Monitor 10's back in 1987 and I've loved them ever since. I've moved about a dozen times since then, always taken the Polks with me, and they're real survivors and still sound great.

I have a couple of questions -

1) How can I tell if these are 10A or 10B's? I've long forgotten which I bought. On the back of the speakers are the numbers "10 160240."

2) I'm thinking of upgrading the speakers. Can anyone recommend something that would be a noticeable improvement in sound and volume but not too terribly expensive? I use a Luxman R-115 tuner/amp with the speakers, purchased at the same time.

Thanks!

TennMan

Welcome to the forum! Show us a photo with the grilles off so we can help you figure out which model you have.

cnh

Welcome to Club Polk!

Sorry I can't identify Polk speakers by number. Pics would help!

If you like the sound of vintage Polks you should really consider picking up some SDA 2Bs or 1Cs or higher! Wouldn't cost more than a few hundred dollars and would be the next step up from the monitors, unless you want to go "new"...and you'll have to pay there. Even the cheapest upper bookshelf Polks are 1500 a pair (LSi-M703).

cnh

TNHNDYMAN

Welcome to Club Polk-

pics or we are guessing? Is the tweeter black with a pinhole in the middle (peerless) or more of a silver colored soft dome (SL2000)?

stretchl

Thanks, guys! Here's a photo of the front of the speaker. The tweeter, whose dome is sadly crushed a bit, says "Silver Coil Dome" on it.

teekay0007

Monitor 10Bs with SL-2000 tweeters.

stretchl

Thanks!

Just so I can get an idea of the range of possible options for my R-115...

Say money is no barrier... what Polks would be the very best match for the amp?

Drenis

Whichever ones sound the best to you.

You could upgrade your current speakers and take them to the best they can be or try something new. It's really up to you.

Do you want something different or to improve on something you really like the sound of? Because you can...

stretchl

What happens is I get to about ten o'clock on the volume of my R-115 and the speakers can't take any more. I'd love to be able to get more volume and more quality at low volume. Also, the footprint of my 10a's is a bit large for the space my wife and I are now in. (We just bought a house.)

Would the RTi-A9's be too much speaker for the amp?

Thanks again, and please forgive my naivet? when it comes to this. I bought my system back in '87 and this is the first time I've had a hankering to upgrade.

Drenis

Since I don't know your listening habits and the characteristics of that amp other then a quick google search. I'm going to suggest you look at a pair of LSi15's. Seems you want to stay the size your at or go to a tower. Stay with a musical speaker.

Prices are great for these through polks ebay site.

cnh

10Bs! Yes!

Hey, what's the Luxman receiver put out? 70 watts x 2? If so a more powerful amp would make even those 10Bs sing! Sounds like you're merely clipping the Luxman. The 10s can probably handle a lot more!

Small footprint, yeah, LSis.

Does the Luxman have L/R pre-outs because if so, just get yourself a nice used power amp around 150-200 watts a side or so (Rotel, Parasound, NAD, Carver, etc.) And use the Luxman as your Pre-amp for now! Probably get a decent amp for a few hundred? You'll thank us later? Maybe?

BTW, Tweeter replacements for SL-2000s = RD-0194 available from Polk at about 50 a pop. Tell them you're a member! You will need two!

cnh

stretchl

Thanks, guys. The Luxman is 70 watts.

What do you mean, I'm clipping it? I always thought the speakers were what was limiting the system, since the volume dial on the Luxman wasn't even up to twelve o'clock.

The LSi15's have a perfect footprint for our space, but if I'm not going to hear any improvements due to the limitations of the Luxman, I can't justify spending the money.

Thanks, and thanks for the tip on Polk's ebay store!

ps - Music is much more important to me than movie sound effects, and I listen to a WIDE variety of stuff, though usually it tends toward pop music.

cnh

A lot of people think that. But in most cases, the speakers are NOT the limiting factor and you don't have to have the volume control at full throttle to generate distortion, especially in an older unit that might need some recapping?

LSi-15s? You DEFINITELY need a power amp of at least 200 watts by 2 for those.

Have fun!

cnh

stretchl

Very interesting, CNH. Thanks so much.

I don't know about the recapping, as I recall the quality topping out at about nine or ten o'clock on the volume even when the equipment was new.

Looks like I need to do a lot more research in order to avoid wasting a lot of money.

I really appreciate everyone's input here.

TNHNDYMAN

I'd need more time research your amp, but my 10's have handled a 200wpc amp very well. You are more likely to underpower the 10's and hurt them than you are overpowering them. You should leave the room with you ears ringing befrore the 10's give up. Sometimes I have to remove my grills because the drivers are hitting them during max excusion at high volumne.

Depending on the vintage of your gear, that Luxman may need a good chk up by a good tech. I have a Luxman L80V connected to my 10's currently and it sounds superb- but I am sure it could use some caps replaced and I don't try to over do it. Keep the loudness switch off and tone controls flat and try it that way, my luxman tends to overemphasis the freq response when not left flat.

gwg_97

I powered my 10Bs with a vintage Kenwood Basic M2A (220 wpc) for about 20 years. You can get this amp and a cheap pre amp for about $250 on the used market and I bet you will love the sound. Its not a Krell but is pretty bullet proof and sounds pretty good for the $. Also, you can clean those sticky/dusty drivers with a windex soaked rag and some gentle wiping. Be careful, you'll be spending a lot of $ before you know it :biggrin:

TNHNDYMAN

^ that's what I get for not refreshing the thread before posting. At least great minds think alike. The limiting factor here is most likely the Luxman as nice as they are and not the Polk 10's.

They are worth the money to feed them a good source. At the end of the day you will need quality amplification to get the most out of any quality speaker you may choose.

stretchl

sooooo... Is there a consensus that I should try the Luxman as a pre-amp with something more robust between it and the 10B's?

Joe08867

Yes to using the luxman as a preamp, since it does have preouts. The internal amps in most receivers can't hold a candle to a separate amp.

Something from B&K, Rotel, Adcom, Parasound or NAD would be the best match to those speakers.

stretchl

Thanks, Joe!

I have a Rotel RCD-855 player, also bought in '87, which I love.

So maybe I'll go with a Rotel amp...

stretchl

The refurb lsi,s are under $900, the gfa around $300, the luxman I have on hand.

Thoughts? thanks!

gdb

Don't disregard the ugly,****,red-haired, step child around here....Carver ! A lot of em have a warmish, almost "tubey" sound to em.

transmaster

Spec's for the 10B's

Electrical
Overall Frequency Response 25Hz - 25kHz
Lower -3dB Limit 37Hz
Upper -3dB Limit 25kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power 20-250 w/channel
Efficiency 89 dB