Model 10 Studio Monitor System bass-midrange driver replacement

Rick Wood

I purchased my Model 10s sometime around 1985 and have loved them ever since. I'm not an audiophile or a techie, so if it works, I tend to not mess with it. BUT, finally one of the two "upper base-midrange" drivers in one speaker started sounding "scratchy." I removed it, and I find if I depress the cone, there is a rubbing inside that I can't access. SO, I figure it's not something I can fix and I need to replace the driver. Well, the speaker sounds fine to me with only one driver, but I'm anal enough to want to fill that hole;-). Two questions then: Is there a way to fix the bad driver? If not, what is a recommended replacement? I assume it doesn't have to be Polk as long as the specs are right.

Here's what I get from the manual that came with the speakers:

Speaker specs:
6 ohms
Per speaker: One 1-inch soft dome high frequency unit, two 6.5-inch upper bass-midrange drivers, one 10-inch low resonance sub-base radiator.
Frequency response: 22 Hz-25,000 Hz
Recommended associated amplification: 10-200 watts per channel
The manual says the acoustical crossover from the mid-base drivers to the sub-base radiator is 60 Hz. There is a 5.625 cut-out in the cabinet and four screws for the mid-base drivers.

I also have a promo brochure that I must have picked up at the same time I bought the speakers. It's about the line of SDA speakers available at the time. A "Model 10" is not shown, but it looks from the pictures and specs that the "Monitor 10B" is close to it. It says the 10B uses "dual Polk trilaminate-polymer bass midrange drivers (6600x)."

The back of the driver says it's an MW 6505 engineered for use in an M10 SDA-CRS. Inspected in October 1985.

Any help on this quest is greatly appreciated.

TennMan

Could the MW you need possibly be a 6503 instead of a 6505? The 6503 should still be available from Polk customer service. I think they are about $48. You will get free shipping if you tell them you are a member of Club Polk.

westmassguy

TennMan wrote: »

Could the MW you need possibly be a 6503 instead of a 6505? The 6503 should still be available from Polk customer service. I think they are about $48. You will get free shipping if you tell them you are a member of Club Polk.

Yep, most likely a MW6503. Call Polk Customer Service. Number is at the top of this page. CP members get a discount, and free shipping

StantonZ

I don't get it: the back of his driver says 6505, NOT 6503. If he's the original owner (and he implies as much), then why the discrepency?

westmassguy

StantonZ wrote: »

I don't get it: the back of his driver says 6505, NOT 6503. If he's the original owner (and he implies as much), then why the discrepency?

Unknown. Early Monitor 10s used 6500s and 6501s. Later Models used 6503s. Check all the other drivers.

Rick Wood

You're right! I read it wrong; it wasn't a typo. The ink was a little blurred. I'm off and running with the help of other comments below.

stnhutton

I just bought at a yard sale a consecutive numbered set of Polk Audio Monitor series 11t. I need 2-6.5in midrange/bass drivers as replacement. I bought two crossovers that appear to be original. Also need grill covers. What can I replace these with that would be technically compatible or better. I'm a novice at this so be kind and express in layman's terms and best place to purchase. Learning. I'm driving them with phase linear 4000 preamp and 400 amp. Thanks

F1nut

Pull the drivers, on the back you will find a label with the driver model on it. Then call Polk to order new ones.

Why did you buy crossovers?

As for the grills, not available. You might try eBay for used ones.