Monitor 10 speakers to buy or not to buy

Dropthebeat

So yeah I've been bombarding the board with questions . Found some monitor 10 speakers for sale $100 a pair maybe less . If I were to buy these for that price, are these speakers of the kind where I could resale them for what I paid for them if not more later on after I've enjoyed my time with them ?

Toolfan66

$100 is a fair price, if everything is in working order, the right drivers are in them ect:

Dropthebeat

I havnt seen them in person but from photos they seem to be in very descent shape. I already have two sets of speakers but I really enjoy listening to different kinds. im just making sure I wont be loosing any money in the process.

tonyb

Even if you parted them out you'd get a good 40 bucks. But in reality if your worried about losing a few bucks after enjoying them for awhile, this isn't the hobby for you. Some used gear may hold value better than others but for the most part audio gear depreciates like everything else.

Dropthebeat

like I said I want to listen to as many different speakers as I can as I just started this hobby. But I also don't want to be loosing a lot of money in the process. I don't mind paying a lot for a speaker that's worth a lot. I guess my question is, are they worth $100

Dropthebeat

thanks guys , thanks toolfan im going to see if the guy will budge a bit more and maybe ill pick them up after I listen to them.

Mystery

You can get your $100 back easily if all drivers are working.
Just the four mid drivers can bring $100.
Then you can sell two tweeters, passive radiators, crossovers, grills etc... for another $100.

Even after fees, you'll be well ahead.

Toolfan66

tonyb wrote: »

Even if you parted them out you'd get a good 40 bucks. But in reality if your worried about losing a few bucks after enjoying them for awhile, this isn't the hobby for you. Some used gear may hold value better than others but for the most part audio gear depreciates like everything else.

I have to agree here, we are talking about $100 not $1000-$10,000 or even more. There are things I made money on and lost in this hobby..

halo71

tonyb wrote: »

Even if you parted them out you'd get a good 40 bucks. But in reality if your worried about losing a few bucks after enjoying them for awhile, this isn't the hobby for you. Some used gear may hold value better than others but for the most part audio gear depreciates like everything else.

I agree here. Besides $100 is cheap price for admission. And Monitor 10's are really great speakers! I think after upgrading to the RDO tweeters and perhaps XO updates. You'd probably be wanting to keep them.

pglbook

Monitor 10s are well worth the money...$100 is cheap for any of the different models. They are great sounding speakers.. and even better if they are early Monitor 10s or 10As with the superb Peerless tweeter.

Go and grab them at that price. You will not regret it at all. Monitor 10s were my first Polk speakers years ago and are still one of my favorites...a genuine classic. I own two pair and love them.

j1mmy

I own Monitor 10 b's and they sound great - love them. I gave $125 for the pair six years ago. If they are in good shape you should get your money out of them later.

boston1450

Yup pick them up & enjoy them. You should get your money back without a problem. Keep us posted & throw a pic our way

xjghost

boston1450 wrote: »

Yup pick them up & enjoy them. You should get your money back without a problem. Keep us posted & throw a pic our way

Agreed $100 is a good deal if they are all working. x2 on pictures.

DAR313

Getting rid of my Monitor 10's. 3 of 4 drivers are blown. Tweeters uncertain. Anyone that lives in the DC/Balt area can have them fo free. Let me know!

cnh

$100 dollars and one is "worried" about "losing" money? Seriously? What else can you buy for $100 dollars that is worth "anything"? We throw that kind of money away every year on absurd things we probably don't even need and here you have something whose sound you'd be HARD PRESSED to reproduce for $100. What's to worry about?

This is a no brainer!

cnh

msg

did you buy these yet?

I just picked up a set last night as part of a package deal with a B&K EX-442 amp, pre + tuner, and I've been playing around with everything and the RTi10's I just got last week. this is weird. it actually got me wondering whether I need/want the RTi10s. the Monitor 10's are lacking a little in the bottom end, but that passive radiator works pretty well. when I set the fronts to small and the sub kicked in, filled it right out.

not sure what else you've got going on, but if you like trying stuff out, you might like the M10's. I'm pretty surprised at how well they work for only having two real drivers.

boston1450

DAR313 wrote: »

Getting rid of my Monitor 10's. 3 of 4 drivers are blown. Tweeters uncertain. Anyone that lives in the DC/Balt area can have them fo free. Let me know!

awesome Karma--wife & i are going to Burke,VA in august on bike. Ill make her hold them while we head back to maine

westmassguy

I really don't understand your reasoning. You're worried about resale before you even get your ears on them. The Monitors 10s are excellent speakers, whether early models with the Peerless Tweeters, B models, or the last Model 2s. The Peerless are fine tweeters, but are 30+ years old. The Replacement RDOs whether 194s or 198, are much better In my opinion. If they are the later models with SL2000s or 2500s, The investment in new tweeters and even a modest crossover upgrade will get net you a pair of speakers with amazing sound quality and soul, not Chop suey, which is what you'll get in the sub $500 range at you local Big Box store.

geppy1

I have listened to countless speakers and when working in the biz had access to many. I have owned early 10s from 1980 (purchased 1983) and despite their shortcomings they still are fun to listen too and I find myself getting into the music more with them then most other things I have tried or owned.
Many speakers produce an ooh ahhh factor but is that the really the same getting into the music on an emotional level. Does the speaker move you to dance in your chair or to tears on an emtional track.
Monitor 10s for $100?? That is a no brainer no lose deal. Like others have said if you do not like them parting out will more then make up for it.
FYI I have conmpared the 0194 to several models of the peerless on RTA 12Bs and Cs which is about the only speaker one can do that with. I have found (depending on the version of the Peerless) the very top end to have more of a sense of openness with the Peerless (think vertical) and better with voices. Your mileage may vary.

Mystery

westmassguy wrote: »

I really don't understand your reasoning. You're worried about resale before you even get your ears on them. The Monitors 10s are excellent speakers,

I'm on OP's side here.
I always think about resale value before buying speakers that I haven't heard.
I don't care how good everyone says online as I may be the only one who does not like them and have to sell.
Unless I can audition (set them up at my place with my gears) the speakers without paying first, resale value is always in mind and even more if speakers are expensive as you lose more on them.
If I have to pay just to get my ears on speakers and lose money if I don't like them, I'll have to rethink my financial status.

But as far as M10's are considered, $100 is very good.

westmassguy

geppy1 wrote: »

I have listened to countless speakers and when working in the biz had access to many. I have owned early 10s from 1980 (purchased 1983) and despite their shortcomings they still are fun to listen too and I find myself getting into the music more with them then most other things I have tried or owned.
Many speakers produce an ooh ahhh factor but is that the really the same getting into the music on an emotional level. Does the speaker move you to dance in your chair or to tears on an emtional track.
Monitor 10s for $100?? That is a no brainer no lose deal. Like others have said if you do not like them parting out will more then make up for it.
FYI I have conmpared the 0194 to several models of the peerless on RTA 12Bs and Cs which is about the only speaker one can do that with. I have found (depending on the version of the Peerless) the very top end to have more of a sense of openness with the Peerless (think vertical) and better with voices. Your mileage may vary.

I agree no one can tell you what sounds good to you. I've said before in other threads, the Peerless are still great tweeters, and 30 years ago, they were one of the best silk domes. The 194s are superior in my opinion, from top to bottom, and the 198s, are in a different league all together. I've listened to the Peerless in Monitor 10s, 7s, and 5s. The Denmark versions and the US made as well. They're no match for the 194s or 198s. As you say, your mileage may vary...to each his own.

westmassguy

Mystery wrote: »

I'm on OP's side here.
I always think about resale value before buying speakers that I haven't heard.
I don't care how good everyone says online as I may be the only one who does not like them and have to sell.
Unless I can audition (set them up at my place with my gears) the speakers without paying first, resale value is always in mind and even more if speakers are expensive as you lose more on them.
If I have to pay just to get my ears on speakers and lose money if I don't like them, I'll have to rethink my financial status.

But as far as M10's are considered, $100 is very good.

The OP didn't say he was buying them without listing to them first, or even mentioned seeing them in person, just photos, that's why I couldn't fathom his question. We're not talking about mid-fi 90s crap, these are Monitor 10s. See what $100.00 gets you at Best Buy, or even better, what it gets you at a dedicated Audio shop. Some Windex on the drivers and PRs, a little fantastic on the cabs, he'll get 50% more than he paid just by cleaning them up. It's a no brainer.

Dropthebeat

Well I can see I've attracted some criticism , anyhow I'm on my way to pick them up . I'll report back later with my findings . Thanks for the opinions and advice everyone

westmassguy

Good luck

cnh

Mystery wrote: »

I'm on OP's side here.
I always think about resale value before buying speakers that I haven't heard.
I don't care how good everyone says online as I may be the only one who does not like them and have to sell.
Unless I can audition (set them up at my place with my gears) the speakers without paying first, resale value is always in mind and even more if speakers are expensive as you lose more on them.
If I have to pay just to get my ears on speakers and lose money if I don't like them, I'll have to rethink my financial status.

But as far as M10's are considered, $100 is very good.

But then again, you're a bargain shopper who has, IMHO, gotten some "unbelievable" bargains in his time. Prices I've hardly "ever" seen. Which is GREAT for you, of course!

And to the OP. You really haven't attracted criticism. We're merely in awe of someone who thinks that far ahead. Does a cost/benefit analysis of a 100 dollar purchase of vintage gear as a must before sampling. If I did that, I think I'd suffer "buyer's paralysis".

We're also prodding you to finish your business or get off the pot. lol

You have absolutely NOTHING TO LOSE here!

cnh

Mystery

cnh wrote: »

But then again, you're a bargain shopper who has, IMHO, gotten some "unbelievable" bargains in his time. Prices I've hardly "ever" seen. Which is GREAT for you, of course!

You have absolutely NOTHING TO LOSE here!
cnh

Yes, agree on both statements.
BTW, if there is a pair that's ultimate end of search, I will drop few grands now and be over with this hunt and upgrade but that pair doesn't exist even for millionaires and I'm a mere middle class guy.

boston1450

Dropthebeat wrote: »

Well I can see I've attracted some criticism , anyhow I'm on my way to pick them up . I'll report back later with my findings . Thanks for the opinions and advice everyone

Good Luck. Hope they are what your looking for. Look forward to your experience & hope it turns out well

Dropthebeat

Finally back home have them hooked up , they sound great very clear and crisp yet they still have quite the punch when it comes to bass. After listening to various different songs , I prefer listening to them while playing classical rock or easy going music. To think I was worried about coughing up the $80 I ended up paying for them. one of the binding posts is broken though

westmassguy

Dropthebeat wrote: »

Finally back home have them hooked up , they sound great very clear and crisp yet they still have quite the punch when it comes to bass. After listening to various different songs , I prefer listening to them while playing classical rock or easy going music. To think I was worried about coughing up the $80 I ended up paying for them. one of the binding posts is broken though

Glad you like them. I've got some spare posts I can send you.

Dropthebeat

After taking a closer look it seems ill be needing a complete plate. The old one would still work it just looks like the previous owner attempted to solder something on there and got it too hot. oh well , any clues on where to get a replacement plate ? could I contact polk and get a replacement?

Dropthebeat

westmassguy wrote: »

Glad you like them. I've got some spare posts I can send you.

Thanks btw, I appreciate the generosity. especially considering im fairly new around here.