Monitor Speaker Experiences--Whats Yours ?

boston1450
boston1450 Posts: 7,639
edited July 2013 in Vintage Speakers
Thought id ask youall what you like about your Monitor speakers ? Which ones ? What you prefer to listen to ? Would there be another Monitor youd rather have ?/ or not. Anything youd like to ad. I really like the Monitor speakers and i would love to hear other fine stories. Thank you in advance & enjoy whatever ones you have....randy
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  • StantonZ
    StantonZ Posts: 444
    edited July 2013
    I liked my first pair (Monitor 4's) so much I bought another pair (Monitor 10B's). I liked THOSE so much that I traded for ANOTHER pair of Monitor 10B's. After more than 25 years (and rebuilt crossovers), they are the foundation of my home theater setup and still some of the best sounding 2-channel stereo speakers I've ever heard.
    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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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited July 2013
    Are you asking about Polk Audio Monitor Series speakers, or "real" (studio) monitors?

    The former: I've owned a pair of 7As since 1978 - one of the great values in loudspeakers when they were new, and I have every intention of keeping them for the remainder of my lifespan. In the intervening decades, I've picked up a pair of original series Monitor 10s, a pair of Monitor 9As, and a pair of - well, I am not quite sure - Monitor 5s of some flavor. I thought they were 5Bs (with the "silver coil" tweeters) but someone here said they were Monitor 5 Series II if they had those tweeters... I dunno!

    The latter: my 'real' hifi uses a pair of Altec 604E Duplex (coax) drivers with Doug Sax's "Mastering Labs" crossovers in bespoke 9 ft^3 cabinets (cabinet design at http://www.wardsweb.org/Billfort/ ). These are in a different league altogether than the Polks.
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited July 2013
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Are you asking about Polk Audio Monitor Series speakers, or "real" (studio) monitors?
    +1
    From the title, I think he's talking about 'Monitor Audio' speakers?
    If he is, I have MA301 and they are the best bookshelf speakers so far.

    Talk about confusing question. :rolleyes:

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2013
    If we are talking Polk Monitors--my vote would be for the 5's and/or 7's with the peerless tweeter.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited July 2013
    Yes. Polk Audio Monitor speakers.I would love to hear any stories about their experience with them. Any/All experience is welcome. Sorry & Thanks
    ..
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited July 2013
    Mystery wrote: »
    +1
    From the title, I think he's talking about 'Monitor Audio' speakers?
    If he is, I have MA301 and they are the best bookshelf speakers so far.

    Talk about confusing question. :rolleyes:

    Jeepers, I forgot about them! I am, honestly, chagrined that I didn't think of this.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2013
    Well to me,,the 5's sound like "mini me sda's",, properly set up they are quite amazing in a small/med room. I replaced the caps n resis in the ones that I gave to my daughter and I could easily live with them for a looong time--BTW--they play nice with tubes. Check out a pair if you get an opportunity
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited July 2013
    When I first got the 5B's, I instantly notice wall of sound.
    Very nice imaging but 7A's beat them.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited July 2013
    I will always opine that the 7 is the sweet spot in that line... but I am, as already noted, highly biased.
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited July 2013
    I listened to P Floyd and i was amazed at the monitor 10's. you can every detail,chimes,piano and vocals/background is just absolutely perfect. Ive mostly been listening to the 7's and those are sweet. Ive had the 10's for about 6 weeks or more and i have to say they are definitely a great speaker for the buck. Hats off to Polk. I would love to have some 12's if they were to come up locally with a good price tag. But for now i will enjoy what i have. I really enjoy reading others opinion on speakers of all types. Even the ones out of my budget that i want to spend. As i have other hobbies i enjoy also. I do however think i may have purchased the winning lottery ticket-well maybe ill stop daydreaming
    ..
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  • philr168
    philr168 Posts: 91
    edited July 2013
    I must like them, I keep picking them up. Three pairs of 5's two 7's and three 10's. The one's with peerless tweeters are much more enjoyable.
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited July 2013
    Monitor 4.6s, very nice, and similar to the 5jr, but lack deep base . 5Bs, very capable, but also light in the bass department. 7Bs, the most well rounded and balanced of all the monitors I own. 10Bs, big and loud, go deep, but don't quite have the acuracy of the 7s. For 2 channel, the 7s are ideal, with or without a quality sub. The 10s are excellent for 2 channel, and rarely need help from a sub.
    All are well suited for home theater as well.
    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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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2013
    not to derail,,, but you guys with Monitor 7's--- what stand/placement are you using.I've got a pair that I'm gonna set up-- but no stands--I am probabally buils a pair(stands) from the schematic that is posted. Any thoughts/experience?
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited July 2013
    I have mine on 20" stands.
    That brings their height close to my ears' height when I'm on the bed.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited July 2013
    george daniel wrote: »
    not to derail,,, but you guys with Monitor 7's--- what stand/placement are you using.I've got a pair that I'm gonna set up-- but no stands--I am probabally buils a pair(stands) from the schematic that is posted. Any thoughts/experience?
    I'd say 10-12" stands with the 6 degree rear pitch. If memory serves, the dome tweeters have a 140-160 degree pattern that's near perfect, so combined with the rear pitch, you'll have good time alignment for seated listening.
    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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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2013
    Thanks guys!
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited July 2013
    I have my 7's on end tables about 20 inches and it seems perfect for the room their in. Space was a issue so i didnt use stand. I do like the looks of stands better though
    ..
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  • Msabot1
    Msabot1 Posts: 2,098
    edited July 2013
    Let's see....over the years ive managed to get ahold of a few...Infinity Reference....JBL Centurys...JBL 120 TI...my 10B still crank and I use them quite often...there is something about those that I like...the passive for the low end?...the spaceality of the mids? Very well engineered speaker for its day....way ahead of its time.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited July 2013
    george daniel wrote: »
    not to derail,,, but you guys with Monitor 7's--- what stand/placement are you using.I've got a pair that I'm gonna set up-- but no stands--I am probabally buils a pair(stands) from the schematic that is posted. Any thoughts/experience?
    The original PolkStands... of course :-)
    I don't necessarily think they're the best stands possible, but, like a Playtex Living Bra :-) they "lift and separate" with no fuss, no muss, no bother. Plus (and unlike the aforementioned foundation garment!) they provide a quick and dirty (yet effective) "time alignment" by tipping the speakers back a bit and aiming the (oh-so-smooth, in the case of the Peerless silk dome) tweeters at the listener.

    I also have a modern DIY pair thanks to a "karma" giveaway here a year or two ago by (IIRC) Reverend Hayes. These are both better made and better looking than the vinyl over particle board originals... so, yes, by all means, build a pair - I doubt that you'll be disappointed!
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  • Jimbo18
    Jimbo18 Posts: 2,334
    edited July 2013
    I have Monitor 7C's on non-original stands about 12" high and Monitor 7's with Peerless on stands about 30" high. Both sound good but 30" puts the tweeters a little too high, I think 1' with a slight tilt, or about 2' level is probably about right.

    Oh, and I had Monitor 10's with original stands and they were about 1 foot high, and I regret selling those quite a bit. I know a lot of people like the 7's better, but I think I liked the bass and soundstage on the 10's better.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2013
    Sounds like a plan-- thank you sir!! Home depot bound!
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited July 2013
    Jimbo18 wrote: »
    I have Monitor 7C's on non-original stands about 12" high and Monitor 7's with Peerless on stands about 30" high. Both sound good but 30" puts the tweeters a little too high, I think 1' with a slight tilt, or about 2' level is probably about right.

    Oh, and I had Monitor 10's with original stands and they were about 1 foot high, and I regret selling those quite a bit. I know a lot of people like the 7's better, but I think I liked the bass and soundstage on the 10's better.
    i just saw a pair of stock Monitor 10 stands. They were like you stated. Didnt seem to high at all. They were tilted back a bit & he had them hooked up & they sounded quite well on the stands. I have my 10's on the floor. But im thinking more & more about stands after hearing them today. He gave me a very nice stereo stand-glass top for free. He also let me check out his stereo gear. He had some big ars speakers that looked like Maggies..
    ..
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2013
    here it is

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?24335-Polk-Audio-Monitor-Series-Stands-Reference&highlight=monitor+stands
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Oldmanind
    Oldmanind Posts: 49
    edited July 2013
    Had a set of monitor 10's powered by a carver 4.0t and it made for a great combo.
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  • yesfan2000
    yesfan2000 Posts: 9
    edited July 2013
    My brother has a pair of Monitor 10s that I loved when I first heard them...about five years ago. We were auditioning some SACD and DVD Audio discs that he had recently purchased.

    I went on the hunt for some Monitor 10s for myself.

    I ran across some M7s and bought those. Excellent sound, but not as much bass as the M10s. A few months later I found a pair of M10s for a good price. The guy even threw in an extra pair of peerless tweets! Ran across a second pair of M10s with the Silver Coils for $50.00. I could'nt pass them up. Got a pair of M5s at a garage sale (along with a Polk sub..M100?) even cheaper than the last 10s. The 5s also had the Silver Coils. I use the M10s (with the Silver Coils) in my H/T with one of the M5s as a center speaker. The M10s sound great with the Polk sub. I found another pair of M10s with the peerless for $50.00, and had to get them. I was in Monitor overload...(or heaven). Lastly, I picked up a pair of M4s that I use for the surrounds in my H/T. One of the tweeters was bad, so I ordered a pair from an auction site, and now they're up and running.

    That's about all my Monitor gear. Now, the SDAs I got...
    dave

    Monitor 4, 5, 7c, 10a, 10a, 10b
    SDA 2b, CRS
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited July 2013
    After last night i have to say i am totally impressed with the PA Monitor 5jr's. i didnt relize these little guys can do so well. I couldnt amagine if they had upgrades in them because im not sure they could get any better. Hooked them to a Sansui g2000 and was totally blown away with 4 hours of absolutely beautiful music.
    ..
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  • GospelTruth
    GospelTruth Posts: 403
    edited July 2013
    boston1450 wrote: »
    After last night i have to say i am totally impressed with the PA Monitor 5jr's. i didnt relize these little guys can do so well. I couldnt amagine if they had upgrades in them because im not sure they could get any better. Hooked them to a Sansui g2000 and was totally blown away with 4 hours of absolutely beautiful music.

    I bought the 5jr+ back in college and never knew just how good a speaker they were. Got them back a little over a year ago from my sister. Nice little speakers, that's for sure. They were my 'gateway' speaker to the SDA 2Bs I got last year.
    Speakers
    Energy RC-70 Mains, Energy RC-LRC Center, Energy RC-R (x4) Rear Channels, Energy RC-R (x2) Front Effects
    Polk 5jr+
    Polk SDA 2B
    Polk SDS 3.1TL
    Equipment
    Panamax 5510 Re-generator Power Conditioner
    Yamaha RX-V3800 Receiver
    Digital Sources: Sony CDP-X339ES CD Player, HHB CDR830 BurnIt Professional CD Recorder, Sony PS3, Oppo DV-983H DVD Player
    Analog Sources: Sony TC-K890ES Cassette, Nakamichi DR-1 Cassette, Technics SL-7 Turntable
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited July 2013
    GospelTruth wrote: »
    I bought the 5jr+ back in college and never knew just how good a speaker they were. Got them back a little over a year ago from my sister. Nice little speakers, that's for sure. They were my 'gateway' speaker to the SDA 2Bs I got last year.
    what are you powering your sda's with ?
    ..
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  • GospelTruth
    GospelTruth Posts: 403
    edited July 2013
    boston1450 wrote: »
    what are you powering your sda's with ?

    I have been using a Yamaha RX-V1 I got on Craigslist a year back. I thought it sounded pretty good. Before that I was using a Yamaha RX-3800 AVR. The older RX-V1 definitely had a better overall sound than the RX-3800 even though it's older. However, I just got a Parasound 2250 amp this past weekend that I need to hook up to the SDAs. I haven't had a chance and probably won't for a month or so because I'm in the process of finishing my basement. All the speakers are in storage right now during this process, with the exception of what's with surround system in the family room (Energy Take 5 classic + older Yamaha RX-V2095).

    I can't wait to put the Parasound on the SDAs. Looking forward to that one - hopefully soon.
    Speakers
    Energy RC-70 Mains, Energy RC-LRC Center, Energy RC-R (x4) Rear Channels, Energy RC-R (x2) Front Effects
    Polk 5jr+
    Polk SDA 2B
    Polk SDS 3.1TL
    Equipment
    Panamax 5510 Re-generator Power Conditioner
    Yamaha RX-V3800 Receiver
    Digital Sources: Sony CDP-X339ES CD Player, HHB CDR830 BurnIt Professional CD Recorder, Sony PS3, Oppo DV-983H DVD Player
    Analog Sources: Sony TC-K890ES Cassette, Nakamichi DR-1 Cassette, Technics SL-7 Turntable
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited July 2013
    GospelTruth wrote: »
    I have been using a Yamaha RX-V1 I got on Craigslist a year back. I thought it sounded pretty good. Before that I was using a Yamaha RX-3800 AVR. The older RX-V1 definitely had a better overall sound than the RX-3800 even though it's older. However, I just got a Parasound 2250 amp this past weekend that I need to hook up to the SDAs. I haven't had a chance and probably won't for a month or so because I'm in the process of finishing my basement. All the speakers are in storage right now during this process, with the exception of what's with surround system in the family room (Energy Take 5 classic + older Yamaha RX-V2095).

    I can't wait to put the Parasound on the SDAs. Looking forward to that one - hopefully soon.
    im sure you cant wait. Hope your basement project is coming along nicely. I always enjoy projects such as that but boy the pocket feels the rath every time :)
    ..
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