Help for a newbie please.... vintage polk monitor 10's?

VinylIsCool
VinylIsCool Posts: 4
edited June 2013 in Vintage Speakers
Hey everyone, I'm new here, and new to the world of vintage audio. I'm in my 20's and have recently discovered vinyl. So far I'm having a blast. I'm not sure what I purchased the other day... but I stumbled across these at a garage sale in a very nice neighborhood and decided to pick them up. (they were still in the garage... I had to ask about them... lol) I paid $120 for them... so please don't laugh too hard if I overpaid. They look beautiful. What do I have exactly? and do I need to upgrade anything? They sound good, but what little reading I've been able to find there are better tweeters for them in some models that weren't in others? I guess I'm still training my ears to what sounds good, they sound pretty nice, but I want to make sure I'm not missing out in their potential due to the need for upgraded crossovers or something?
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

:-)
Post edited by VinylIsCool on
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Comments

  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited June 2013
    Welcome!
    Look like Monitor 10B.
    Did you buy them with stands?
    That's a very good price with stands.

    Almost all here suggest crossover upgrade (capacitors/resistors) for sure and that'll bring their original sound back or even better so definitely do that if you plan on keeping them.

    Many here also will suggest tweeter upgrade to newer RDO194 but I like the silver SL2000 as it is so no hurry.

    Schematics here: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?38755-POLK-AUDIO-Speaker-Wiring-Schematics-amp-More-ALL-MODELS-except-SDA

    Search forum for crossover upgrade threads on monitor 10b.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited June 2013
    Welcome! Very nice find you did fine.
    Mystery is right the crossovers being quite old as you know need new caps
    and the newer tweeters will also improve the sound.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?59619-Monitor-10a-crossover-upgrade
    POLK SDA 2.3 TLS BOUGHT NEW IN 1990, Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-198
    POLK CSI-A6 POLK MONITOR 70'S ONKYO TX NR-808 SONY CDP-333ES
    PIONEER PL-510A SONY BDP S5100
    POLK SDA 1C BOUGHT USED 2011,Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-194
    ONKYO HT RC-360 SONY BDP S590 TECHNICS SL BD-1
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,222
    edited June 2013
    Welcome to CP, Vinyl.

    Vintage Monitor 10s are great speakers. They do look like Monitor 10Bs (as Mystery said) as the early Monitor 10s and 10As had the Peerless tweeter. Although the Monitor 10 or Monitor 10As with the Peerless tweeter is the more desirable version of Monitor 10s, the 10Bs are excellent speakers as well and $120 is a very good price for Monitor 10Bs. If you also got the stands, it is an even better deal. I have a pair of Monitor 10As and have been looking, without luck, for original stands for some time. You did very well. Enjoy them. They are great-sounding speakers. I love my Monitor 10s. They sound great with all kinds of music. Congratulations and, once again, welcome aboard the Club Polk audio train!
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  • VinylIsCool
    VinylIsCool Posts: 4
    edited June 2013
    I did not get stands... I currently have them on some other stands that I used to use for old technics speakers that I inherited. Was there an optimal height for these things? I could weld some stands pretty easily if I needed to increase height.

    I think my stands are a little too low... may try to weld some stands for my stands. ha. Anyway, they look beautiful, and glad to know I didn't get screwed. Now.. can any of you recommend an audio shop in san antonio that can do the upgrades? Or is it something I can do myself. I don't want to mess them up.. but am pretty decent with a soldering iron.

    Thanks so much for the replies.

    As far as keeping them... I had planned on it unless you guys could recommend something better for vinyl... I'm attaching pics of my current set up.
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  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited June 2013
    Make sure that they are 10B's. You can do this. If you weld this is a cakewalk for you.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/products/monitor10

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Monitor-10B-crossovers-/111073361374?nma=true&si=lG7f4RNskwE8JI5CraS82ih1oNk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
    POLK SDA 2.3 TLS BOUGHT NEW IN 1990, Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-198
    POLK CSI-A6 POLK MONITOR 70'S ONKYO TX NR-808 SONY CDP-333ES
    PIONEER PL-510A SONY BDP S5100
    POLK SDA 1C BOUGHT USED 2011,Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-194
    ONKYO HT RC-360 SONY BDP S590 TECHNICS SL BD-1
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited June 2013
    Nice Marantz 1060. That was my second amp, the first being a 1030. I'm sure it drives the Monitor 10's nicely.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • Mr. Bubbles
    Mr. Bubbles Posts: 736
    edited June 2013
    VinylIsCool wrote: »
    I did not get stands... I currently have them on some other stands that I used to use for old technics speakers that I inherited. Was there an optimal height for these things? I could weld some stands pretty easily if I needed to increase height.

    I think my stands are a little too low... may try to weld some stands for my stands. ha. Anyway, they look beautiful, and glad to know I didn't get screwed. Now.. can any of you recommend an audio shop in san antonio that can do the upgrades? Or is it something I can do myself. I don't want to mess them up.. but am pretty decent with a soldering iron.

    Thanks so much for the replies.

    As far as keeping them... I had planned on it unless you guys could recommend something better for vinyl... I'm attaching pics of my current set up.


    I know almost nothing about the Monitor 10's but am a huge Marantz fan. I have a pretty good bit but have not been lucky enough to run up on a 1060 that is worth the asking price. That is a pretty set you have there. Awesome with Vinyl. All of my marantz gear sounds great on any of my vintage Polks from the recievers to the integrateds to the pre/ amp combos. Enjoy.
    If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of Progress?!


    Monitor 5Jr, Monitor 5, RTA12, RTA 15TL, SDA 2A, 1c, SRS 2, 1.2TL, CRS, Atrium.
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited June 2013
    For a guy in his 20's just starting out, that is a hell of a nice setup you have.

    I'd recommend researching the threads for mods to the crossovers and then you need to find a local 12 step program in your area. Get a sponsor that likes apple earbuds and Bose speakers. Have him keep your wallet for the 1st year or you'll be penny less after this group gets done with you.

    Good luck!
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,124
    edited June 2013
    Welcome to club polk. I agree quite the nice vintage set up for a guy your age, good to see you like spinning vinyl as do a lot of us here. Interested to know if you get those SDA'S those along with your monitor 10s will be sweet quite the vintage buff you are already. Enjoy and hang around.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
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  • StantonZ
    StantonZ Posts: 444
    edited June 2013
    The only thing I can add is: don't worry about stands. I have my 10B's sitting on "tip toes" (on carpet) and they sound great. I did the tweeter replacement and crossover upgrade just recently (after 25+ years of ownership); there's no rush.
    Yamaha RX-A2050 AVR (5.0.2); LG OLED77C2 4K TV
    (4) Polk Monitor 10B's w/SoniCaps, Mills, and RDO-194 tweets (R/L F/R)
    (2) Polk RC80i (Top Middle)
    Polk CS300 center channel
    Analog: B&O TX2 Turntable, Nakamichi Cassette Deck 1
    Digital: Pioneer CLD-99 Elite LD, Panasonic DMP-UB900 UHD Blu-Ray
    Bedroom: Arylic Up2Stream AMPv3 driving Polk Monitor 4's w/peerless tweets
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited June 2013
    WELCOME ALSO. I have mine on floor also. I would like to raise them up to bring them ear level with the tweets. But for now they are on floor & sound fantastic.. In time id love to upgrade but it doesnt fit in my wallet right now..ive seen stock stands for 30-50 bucks but werent local to me. Keep your eyes open. If your crafty make some will work. They are quite the speaker. Enjoy....Randy
    ..
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited June 2013
    First thing, replace those awful SL2000 tweeters with the RD0194-1. Call Polk to order and tell them you are a Club Polk member for a discount. Since you can solder, the crossover upgrades should be a breeze.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited June 2013
    Welcome to Club Polk!


    Nice find. And Marantz is a good choice. I find that Polk Monitor series and Marantz have a certain synergy that is hard to come by. They sound great together. My 10s have the Peerless tweeters so I didn't bother with the upgrade there, but in your case, you might want to think about it.

    Enjoy!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • vulcan
    vulcan Posts: 91
    edited June 2013
    Very nice gear, you did good on the speakers. Enjoy the music and welcome to Club Polk!
    Polk Audio SDA 1C, Klipsch Legend KLF 20, Klipsch Chorus II
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited June 2013
    Welcome to Club Polk. Very nice find, and a great pair to start off with. There are numerous upgrades, that will make your 10s sing. The stands you have look fine, and very similar to the original stands.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,603
    edited June 2013
    Welcome aboard! Also getting them off the floor and onto stands DOES make a world of difference and is highly recommended.
    --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.
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited June 2013
    I have mine on floor. When i do listen to them it is very clear to me they need to be risen up about 12-16 inches off floor. Im not sure what the specs are for the original stands are"but to bring them up i know they will hit the sweet spot in listening....
    ..
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited June 2013
    Found this with a quick search: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?24335-Polk-Audio-Monitor-Series-Stands-Reference&highlight=polkstands

    Also this - see post #17 for a nice pic of the original stands: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?24260-Polk-monitor-10-opinions

    Pretty simple to make if you or a friend have basic wood working skills. :wink:
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • xjghost
    xjghost Posts: 1,101
    edited June 2013
    Nice find. I bought my 10's new with stands in the late 80's. 88 or 89 and I lost the stands in a flood but the speakers survived! YAY! They also survived 4.5 years of college too. The stands I see on here are not like mine at all. Mine were all black and about a foot high. I hated throwing them out but the base was gone and the supports were half gone. :( Good to see some of the youth enjoying the finer things in life. I recently bought a set of SDA 3.1tl's and am enjoying them. I now use my 10's as the main speaker in my video surround set up.
    HT/2Channel: Emotiva MMC-1, Adcom GFA-555II, Polk SDA 3.1's, Teac TN-300 TT, Polk Center and Sub.

    Bedroom system: Carver CT-24, Parasound HCA-800II, Monitor 10's

    Additional projects: RTA 12c's
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  • teekay0007
    teekay0007 Posts: 2,289
    edited June 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    First thing, replace those awful SL2000 tweeters with the RD0194-1. Call Polk to order and tell them you are a Club Polk member for a discount. Since you can solder, the crossover upgrades should be a breeze.

    Not so fast there...first, consider whether you would want to do the "regular" mods/upgrades or the "TL" mods/upgrades to your Monitor 10 crossovers. With the regular mods, the RD0194-1 is the right tweeter and with the TL mods, the RD0198-1 (preferred by many, including you - I think - F1nut) tweeter is the one you would need. For the TL mods for the Monitor 10s, refer to the thread(s) by westmassguy. However, going with the 198's and the TL mods dictates that you must do them at the same time since the 198's are not compatible with pre-modded crossovers in the way that the 194's are.

    And to the OP - good find! I've got some very minty Monitor 10Bs that I bought new back in '89 and they remain to be, IMHO, some of the sweetest sounding speakers ever. :cool: I don't see myself ever parting with them.

    Welcome to Club Polk!
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