Vintage Polk suggestions for small office setup.

EndersShadow

I am looking for suggestions on what vintage Polk suggestions I should checkout for my office setup. I dont need anything huge (SDA 1C's, RTA 11's, etc) but some smallish bookshelf type speakers.

I will be using my computer as a source (eventually), the Turntable I have and be driving them with either the Yamaha R-300 I have currently (20 wpc x 2) or a pre and amp of vintage nature with say 80 watts @ 8 ohm max.

I know my room (10x11) is too small for SDA's (but for possibly the CRS+'s but those are still pushing it setup wise), but curious what other smaller Polks folks would suggest. I was thinking something like the 5jr's would be a nice, but curious what other stuff folks would recommend.

Mostly these will be for nearfield listening and the speakers dont need to be overly detailed. I will probably have them setup on either side of my desk, either on stands or physically on the desk itself if possible.

I have some Monitor 60's right now but kinda want to go with an all vintage type setup with the old school look/vibe to em.

falconcry72

Monitor 5's.. not juniors. The juniors are nice too, but if you can fit them, you can probably fit the full 5. Surprising bass form the 5! pop some RD0's in there and you're good to go!

EndersShadow

falconcry72 wrote: »

Monitor 5's.. not juniors. The juniors are nice too, but if you can fit them, you can probably fit the full 5. Surprising bass form the 5! pop some RD0's in there and you're good to go!

Hate to show my ignorance here, but whats the difference between the 5's and 5jr's?

falconcry72

EndersShadow wrote: »

Hate to show my ignorance here, but whats the difference between the 5's and 5jr's?

Overall smaller cabinet on the Juniors, and smaller passive radiator.

6.5" passive on the JR's, 8" on the standards. Jr's are 19.5" tall, standards are 22".

TNHNDYMAN

The juniors are ported as well if I remember correctly. I've got a pair of 7's Dan I could have brought to Knoxville when you were down, but they are probably a little to big. Definately not a nearfield on desktop kinda speaker.

falconcry72

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

The juniors are ported as well if I remember correctly. I've got a pair of 7's Dan I could have brought to Knoxville when you were down, but they are probably a little to big. Definately not a nearfield on desktop kinda speaker.

I agree. The 7's really feel like a much bigger speaker than the 5's.

EndersShadow

falconcry72 wrote: »

Overall smaller cabinet on the Juniors, and smaller passive radiator.

6.5" passive on the JR's, 8" on the standards. Jr's are 19.5" tall, standards are 22".

Gotcha. It looks like Polks site has the pic of the 5jr's wrong as it looks like a 8" passive on them rather than the 6.5.

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

The juniors are ported as well if I remember correctly. I've got a pair of 7's Dan I could have brought to Knoxville when you were down, but they are probably a little to big. Definately not a nearfield on desktop kinda speaker.

Yeah, the 7's are a bit too big for what I would need and while they would work on the room, definately not nearfield speakers. I think the 5's are probably the biggest I could really go, if even them.

I might just not have the room for a set of vintage monitors and just have to get something smaller like the RTi6's or whatever, but curious if folks think the 5's would work on a desktop.

goofyGAguy

RT35/35i

zingo

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

The juniors are ported as well if I remember correctly. I've got a pair of 7's Dan I could have brought to Knoxville when you were down, but they are probably a little to big. Definately not a nearfield on desktop kinda speaker.

Jrs have a PR that is 6.5" to match the midwoofer. They are nice little speakers, and a much slimmer cabinet than most vintage Polks, with the same midwoofer and tweeter. Great sounding speakers, and highly recommend for desktop use.

pitdogg2

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

The juniors are ported as well if I remember correctly.

You are thinking the monitor 4's they are ported with no passive.
Zingo beat me typing.

gmjungbluth

+1 on the Polk Monitor 5 suggestion. They sound great- plenty of bass and defined highs.

And I have a set with the Peerless tweeters - sound amazing!

EndersShadow

So the suggestions I have right now are:

Monitor 5's
Monitor 5jr's
RT35
RT35i

Any other suggestions?

Keep in mind with this setup rear ported speakers are probably not the best option since I wont be able to keep them very far off the back wall.

cnh

The problem with Monitors is that even the smallest good one (5 jr) is still pretty tall. And personally I'd prefer, and do have, a Monitor 5A. At the moment a couple of KLH 17s are sitting on part of my L shaped desk (not much bigger than 5s) and along with a Marantz reciever and Technics TT, they take up half the desk. And I usually have to screw around with the Marantz balance bar to get the sound right because my screen is at a right angle with that part of the desk.

Monitor 5s are big speakers for near fields even though they are "smaller" monitors (KLH are even bigger!). You might be better off with something more modern and smaller by Polk like the TL3s and a sub! But you know how much space you have.

Even though I have all that sitting on my right. My computer speakers are just a set of Realistic Minimus 7s powered by a Realistic STA-700 (newer system seven receiver basically built for Minimus speakers with special circuits for expanding their sound range).

Good luck!

cnh

falconcry72

EndersShadow wrote: »

So the suggestions I have right now are:

Monitor 5's
Monitor 5jr's
RT35
RT35i

Any other suggestions?

Keep in mind with this setup rear ported speakers are probably not the best option since I wont be able to keep them very far off the back wall.

The RT series of the 90's. RT-3's or 5's, the 7's are probably a little big.

How 'bout some LSi-7's?


I'd say out of all the suggestions the vintage Monitors (either 5's or JR's) are the best bang for the buck. Yea, they're a little big, but if you can pull it off your ears will thank you.

The LSi-7's would be an excellent choice for a small near field setup too, but they'll cost more. The 7's are pretty easy to drive, compared to the other Lsi's.

pitdogg2

I got some Monitor 4's if you like? I have never even tried them they were free from some lady who was giving her ex's stuff away. My son got the CV D5's suit him very well cause his volume know goes to 12:eek:

I try them tonight just hit me up if you want.

EndersShadow

falconcry72 wrote: »

The RT series of the 90's. RT-3's or 5's, the 7's are probably a little big.

How 'bout some LSi-7's?

I'd say out of all the suggestions the vintage Monitors (either 5's or JR's) are the best bang for the buck. Yea, they're a little big, but if you can pull it off your ears will thank you.

The LSi-7's would be an excellent choice for a small near field setup too, but they'll cost more. The 7's are pretty easy to drive, compared to the other Lsi's.

Yeah, I like the concept of the LSi 7's and their size but not the price lol... I may end up there, or as suggested with some Blackstone TL's....

pitdogg2 wrote: »

I got some Monitor 4's if you like? I have never even tried them they were free from some lady who was giving her ex's stuff away. My son got the CV D5's suit him very well cause his volume know goes to 12:eek:

I try them tonight just hit me up if you want.

I might just take you up on that offer good sir!

rooftop59

Yea I had monitor 5jrs for a short while in my office at work, and they sounded really nice (I love sealed/PR speakers because of the tightness and texture of the bass). BUT, they are still big and take up considerably more space than modern small monitors and don't give any more bass in general. Plus the kinda look silly if its your work office, if its your home office them that is different, but I still like as much space as possible on my desk so in the end the 5JRS were a no-go.

I really liked rt25is as computer monitors, and even though most of the time I used them with a sub they have really decent bass and I think are more musically coherent than the newer rtis (and the stereophile bench tests demonstrate this fact). They are small, easy to push, and sound really good (but don't quality as vintage).

now for something different (not polk and not quite vintage), I actually had a pair of NHT super zeros and a small DIY 8 inch sub from parts express that those 5jrs temporarily replaced, and man I think those little NHTs are the perfect computer monitors. Those with a small older sub from mirage, energy, NHT, etc., and you have a great little almost full-range setup on the cheap! But not too many people here seem to share my love of NHT. Oh well, mama told me not to wear my feelings on my shoulders or they might get knocked off!

and I have pair of white super zeros sitting unused that i might be willing to part with. not free, but cheap. PM me if you're interested.

teekay0007

For what it sounds like you're looking for, I think even the Monitor 5jrs are a little big. Think about it, 19"H x 9"W x 10"D is a pretty big speaker to have sitting on your desk. They are fantastic sounding speakers, I use a pair as surrounds in my vintage monitor 5.1 setup, just big.

For truly non-obtrusive speakers in a 10' x 11' room, I'd consider the RT25s or RTi25s. They sound great, look nice and are MUCH smaller - under a foot high and less than 7" wide. They get good clear response down to about 60hz. The only difference that I know of is the 25s are the vinyl-sided while the 25i has wood sides.

rooftop59

teekay0007 wrote: »

The only difference that I know of is the 25s are the vinyl-sided while the 25i has wood sides.

I don't think the non i version has the tri lam tweeter which I love, but I could be wrong. But I do really like the 25is.

teekay0007

Also for consideration - S4s. Small, yet still have a 6-1/2" driver, front-ported and give a very nice sound.

If you do consider a newer line and want the ultra-compact and clean look, a pair of VM10s and a PSW111 would be worth a look. The VM10s come with table-top stands or you can get really nice looking floorstands for them.

dkr919

Polk RTi28. i have a set of these and they sound outstanding near field. I think these are basically the same as the RTi25's.

goofyGAguy

teekay0007 wrote: »

Also for consideration - S4s. Small, yet still have a 6-1/2" driver, front-ported and give a very nice sound.

I will second this recommendation. You haven't stated a budget, so I don't know if this pair will work for you...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/POLK-AUDIO-S-4-MONITOR-SPEAKERS-S4-/321042699372?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item4abfa2d46c

EndersShadow

goofyGAguy wrote: »

You haven't stated a budget, so I don't know if this pair will work for you...

Right now just researching. I need acquire the pre and amp first in this setup before replacing my Monitor 60's.

I do like the VM10's as well but finding them is pretty hard as IIRC they didnt really sell that well so there are not nearly that many floating out there. That and their frequency response only goes to 90 so you have to have a sub. I would prefer something that can handle down to at least like 60hz.

Conradicles

RTi28 sounds like a good choice

teekay0007

EndersShadow wrote: »

Right now just researching. I need acquire the pre and amp first in this setup before replacing my Monitor 60's.

I do like the VM10's as well but finding them is pretty hard as IIRC they didnt really sell that well so there are not nearly that many floating out there. That and their frequency response only goes to 90 so you have to have a sub. I would prefer something that can handle down to at least like 60hz.

I've seen several used - but minty - VM10s show up on the 'bay for about $70 apiece, including the tabletop stand. I set up a 2.1 system with VM10s and a PSW111 for a family member a while back and it sounds terrific, with no problem filling a large living room/dining room/kitchen area with sweet sound. They listen to all kinds of music on them, excluding rap/hip-hop, from soft background levels to mildly cranked with very nice results. The 111 blends quite nicely with the 10s and together they give a surprisingly full sound. Often times their guests wonder where the sound is coming from since the VM10s are so small and the PSW111 is "hidden" (takes up less than a cubic foot!) under an end table. The rest of the "system" consists of only an old 2-channel Onkyo receiver (rated at 45 wpc) and a 6-disc Onkyo carousel CDP.


Also, what does IIRC mean? I've figured out most of the others (FWIW, IMHO, YMMV, etc., etc., etc.) around here, but not that one. May be time for a "Sticky" with all the CP acronyms? :idea:

EndersShadow

teekay0007 wrote: »

I've seen several used - but minty - VM10s show up on the 'bay for about $70 apiece, including the tabletop stand. I set up a 2.1 system with VM10s and a PSW111 for a family member a while back and it sounds terrific, with no problem filling a large living room/dining room/kitchen area with sweet sound. They listen to all kinds of music on them, excluding rap/hip-hop, from soft background levels to mildly cranked with very nice results. The 111 blends quite nicely with the 10s and together they give a surprisingly full sound. Often times their guests wonder where the sound is coming from since the VM10s are so small and the PSW111 is "hidden" (takes up less than a cubic foot!) under an end table. The rest of the "system" consists of only an old 2-channel Onkyo receiver (rated at 45 wpc) and a 6-disc Onkyo carousel CDP.

Good to know, however the VM10's just dont go low enough for me. I am hoping to go without a sub for a bit if not entirely for now as it adds more wires and complexity. I will keep an eye out for them however.

teekay0007 wrote: »

Also, what does IIRC mean? I've figured out most of the others (FWIW, IMHO, YMMV, etc., etc., etc.) around here, but not that one. May be time for a "Sticky" with all the CP acronyms? :idea:

No worries, I learn all kinds of new ones daily myself (from my 8 year younger brother). It stands for If I Recall Correctly.

skrol

Also consider the "S" series, like the S4 or S6. You don't hear much about these speakers and you don't see them often. They replaced the original Monitor series after the Monitor Series 2 back in the early '90s. I have a pair of S8 and am always impressed at the smoothness and detail. They may be a little large for what you want which is why I suggest the S4 or S6. The S6 would be a similar size as the Monitor 5.

[Deleted User]

I'd like to suggest the RT15. I am using a pair for my kitchen system and they fit very nicely in the space I had allotted. I purchased some upgrade x-over parts from VR3 and will be modifying them. I was very pleased with the stock sound but I am anxious to try the new parts. Hope this helps. :cool:

teekay0007

Sweet pair of RT35i's on stands: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-RT35I-Floor-Standing-Main-Stereo-Speakers-Dynamic-Balace-Power-Port-/190771621843?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2c6adfefd3

Jimbo18

I am very happy with my RT35's. Much better bass than you would expect. Perhaps a bit large for a desktop but certainly much smaller than a Monitor 5. The RT25 or 28 would probably be a bit smaller.

soundfreak1

The rt25 are not bad at all. Use them as rears on mt ht and like them . If u find a pair of 5jr+'s screw the size and get them LOL.