Bought used Polk M12's - One bad tweeter - are there other problems?!
I have been lurking here for a while, but this is my first post.
I picked up some M12's on craigslist yesterday. I could not find any recent price info on them, but based on very positive reviews I found, I figured I would go for it. My friend in school had some smaller but similar-looking Polks and I was very impressed by them. Also, my impression of my own LS70's which I have had since 1992 gave me a good feeling about these other Polk speakers.
When I went to check them out, the seller said he had just pulled them out of storage and that they had not seen electricity in about 14 years. By the looks of them, I believed him - they were covered with dust. He had a crappy receiver hooked up to them in a bad room, and playing bad music. I did not think that the sound was good but I was convinced it was the source and the music. I carefully listened to check for sound from all speakers, and checked the surrounds for deterioration. All good. I paid him $180.
I got them home and cleaned them up (big job), then hooked them up to the "B" source next to my LS70's. Big Disappointment! The M12's sounded lifeless and dull, almost muddled. It seemed that they improved after I stepped back, but not even close to the LS70 sound.
After some detective work, I realized that there was absolutely no sound coming from one of the tweeters. I did my studying on this forum, and found the recommended replacement tweeter (RDO198-1 for the SL2500).
I am disappointed in myself, and my wife is not happy (she thinks the LS70's are too big, and they look small next to the M12's).
My question: Before I spend money on the new tweeters, which I understand are superior to the originals, is there anything else I can check or verify before I realize I am throwing good money after bad? While carefully listening to the midranges on the "bad" speaker, I notice the midranges sound a bit muffled. This may be because there is no sound from the tweeter, and may not indicate another problem - I don't know. The midranges on the "good" speaker sound fine, but that could be because I am also hearing the good tweeter.
By the way, I checked connections inside the box behind the binding posts and at the tweeter, and they seemed secure. I have a meter to measure current, but would not have any idea what I should be measuring or how to do it.
Thanks for any help!
I picked up some M12's on craigslist yesterday. I could not find any recent price info on them, but based on very positive reviews I found, I figured I would go for it. My friend in school had some smaller but similar-looking Polks and I was very impressed by them. Also, my impression of my own LS70's which I have had since 1992 gave me a good feeling about these other Polk speakers.
When I went to check them out, the seller said he had just pulled them out of storage and that they had not seen electricity in about 14 years. By the looks of them, I believed him - they were covered with dust. He had a crappy receiver hooked up to them in a bad room, and playing bad music. I did not think that the sound was good but I was convinced it was the source and the music. I carefully listened to check for sound from all speakers, and checked the surrounds for deterioration. All good. I paid him $180.
I got them home and cleaned them up (big job), then hooked them up to the "B" source next to my LS70's. Big Disappointment! The M12's sounded lifeless and dull, almost muddled. It seemed that they improved after I stepped back, but not even close to the LS70 sound.
After some detective work, I realized that there was absolutely no sound coming from one of the tweeters. I did my studying on this forum, and found the recommended replacement tweeter (RDO198-1 for the SL2500).
I am disappointed in myself, and my wife is not happy (she thinks the LS70's are too big, and they look small next to the M12's).
My question: Before I spend money on the new tweeters, which I understand are superior to the originals, is there anything else I can check or verify before I realize I am throwing good money after bad? While carefully listening to the midranges on the "bad" speaker, I notice the midranges sound a bit muffled. This may be because there is no sound from the tweeter, and may not indicate another problem - I don't know. The midranges on the "good" speaker sound fine, but that could be because I am also hearing the good tweeter.
By the way, I checked connections inside the box behind the binding posts and at the tweeter, and they seemed secure. I have a meter to measure current, but would not have any idea what I should be measuring or how to do it.
Thanks for any help!
Post edited by smk1969 on
Comments
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switch tweeter to other side and give a listen then decide .
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I think you stepped backward since you already have the LS. I have a very good condition M12 trying to sell too. Good speakers but can't be in the same class as LS or Lsi. Surprisingly if you step back, the M12 sound a lot like my SDA 1C
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Pitdogg,
That is a good idea to switch tweeters - I should have thought of that as a way to evaluate for other possible problems. I just found the other current thread in the Vintage section about the Monitor 10 repairs - there was good information there. I assume those speakers are similar to the Monitor 12's, just a bit smaller.
I hope the Monitor 12's are not a big step back from the LS70's, especially after the tweeters get replaced/upgraded. If I really want to maximize the performance of these speakers while I'm at it, is replacement of caps and resistors on the crossovers also strongly recommended on these speakers? The caps look to be in good shape.
By the way, the Monitor 12's will be replacing Bose 6.1's as the front speakers for my home theater set-up, with the Bose being moved to rear channel eventually.
Thanks for all the help. -
I hope the Monitor 12's are not a big step back from the LS70's
Although I have never heard either pair. But from everything I have read.....the 12's would be a step back from the LS70's.the Monitor 12's will be replacing Bose 6.1's
THIS would be a step forward imho.--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
switch tweeter to other side and give a listen then decide .
I switched the tweeter, and it seems that only the one tweeter is bad. The "old bad" speaker now sounds just fine.
I spent some time tonight listening the the new-to-me Monitor 12's. They certainly sound different than the LS70's, and I have to make tone adjustments to suit my preferences when switching A/B. But these speakers will be in a different room on a different system.
I have to admit that the different sound is growing on me. I am looking forward to getting those new tweeters installed and settling in for a long listening session.
So - is it necessary to upgrade the crossovers now? Any idea of the cost? I am already kind of in the doghouse on the added expense of the tweeters.
