Peerless tweeters: Polk or not?

wes_in_va

I'm new to the forum though I've been lurking for a while, ever since I picked up a pair of Monitor 10's a few months ago. They're my first Polks and I love them.
I wanted to swap out the SL2000 tweeters for some Peerless to see what kind of change that would make (my only complaint is that at higher volumes the SL2000's are just a hair on the harsh side).
I'm active over at Audiokarma and bought a set of Peerless tweeters over there that were supposedly Polks. However, when I finally got a chance to try them out they didn't fit.
The mounting plates are slightly smaller and the tabs for attaching the crossover wires are in a different place so they dont' fit in the holes in the baffle as they should.
I'd like to unload them but I want to be sure I know what I'm selling! A buddy on Audiokarma told me that he's pretty sure all the Polk Peerless tweeters are marked with Polk on the back. I'm trying to confirm what I actually have: non-Pol, or just Polk from a different model or different era?

pitdogg2

wes_in_va wrote: »

I'm new to the forum though I've been lurking for a while, ever since I picked up a pair of Monitor 10's a few months ago. They're my first Polks and I love them.
I wanted to swap out the SL2000 tweeters for some Peerless to see what kind of change that would make (my only complaint is that at higher volumes the SL2000's are just a hair on the harsh side).
I'm active over at Audiokarma and bought a set of Peerless tweeters over there that were supposedly Polks. However, when I finally got a chance to try them out they didn't fit.
The mounting plates are slightly smaller and the tabs for attaching the crossover wires are in a different place so they dont' fit in the holes in the baffle as they should.
I'd like to unload them but I want to be sure I know what I'm selling! A buddy on Audiokarma told me that he's pretty sure all the Polk Peerless tweeters are marked with Polk on the back. I'm trying to confirm what I actually have: non-Pol, or just Polk from a different model or different era?

That cross over was not made for the peerless and as you found out they don't fit. Call Polk Customer service and order RDO-194's those are direct replacement silk domes for the SL2000 and much better tweeters

wes_in_va

So are those indeed a Polk tweeter but a different fit, or are these not a Polk fit at all?

westmassguy

They have the holes in the top of the dome, so they appear to be original Polk/Peerless.

Faustin

From the pictures they look like Peerless. The original Peerless where manufactured in Denmark - Late 70's to early 80's. The serial number on those started with 7514 and the last 4 digits were manufacture date. After that they were manufactured in the US and the serial number started with 5514. So the ones you have are the US manufactured variety and were produced in 1982.

wes_in_va

Faustin wrote: »

From the pictures they look like Peerless. The original Peerless where manufactured in Denmark - Late 70's to early 80's. The serial number on those started with 7514 and the last 4 digits were manufacture date. After that they were manufactured in the US and the serial number started with 5514. So the ones you have are the US manufactured variety and were produced in 1982.

Thanks for all the help everyone. It's much appreciated.
So what model Polks would these fit?

Faustin

Early 4's, 5's, 7's, 10's, RTA 12's.

westmassguy

I would add, as pitdogg2 mentioned, the early crossovers designed for use with the Peerless, are not compatible with any of the later SLXXXX Tweeters, or the new RDO Series replacements. The through-holes are different, as are the recesses. I have serviced Monitors brought to me by the original owners which had SL1000 Tweeters sent to them from Polk, as replacements for defective Peerless Tweeters. So it appears Polk sent what they had at the time.

wes_in_va

If these Peerless were a fit for early Monitor 10's, I'm more confused than I was!
I thought my 10's were first generation but I suppose I'm wrong.
My serial numbers are:
10 206960
10 206965

Any input as to which model I actually have? I did some research but it looks like I was mistaken in my findings

pitdogg2

welcome to Polk world of using up older parts. Trust me it is not uncommon. I've seen new models come with older parts serial numbers mean mostly nothing in the world of Polk. We are not trying to lead you astray or confuse you anymore than you are.
1st gen had peerless then SL1000 same size as peerless but different XO
2nd gen had SL2000 but not uncommon to have them with SL1000.

look here for all stuff to wrap your head around
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?38755-POLK-AUDIO-Speaker-Wiring-Schematics-amp-More-ALL-MODELS-except-SDA

westmassguy

wes_in_va wrote: »

If these Peerless were a fit for early Monitor 10's, I'm more confused than I was!
I thought my 10's were first generation but I suppose I'm wrong.
My serial numbers are:
10 206960
10 206965

Any input as to which model I actually have? I did some research but it looks like I was mistaken in my findings

I'll try and un-confuse you. Check the rear binding posts. There should be the two binding posts, red on the left, and nothing else. The early models had a fuse block directly above the binding posts. Those with fuses used the Peerless Tweeters, and sometimes the SL1000. Your model has SL2000 Tweeters, which means they are a later revision, and should not have fuses. The drop-in replacement for your SL2000 Tweeters are the RDO-194-1s. There's also an option to upgrade the crossovers to "TL" status, and allows use of the RDO-198-1 Tweeters, which are even better than the RDO-194s. The Peerless tweeters you purchased appear to be in excellent condition, and you should be able to sell them very easily. The easiest thing to do, is buy a pair of RDO-194-1 Tweeters Directly from Polk Customer Service. The number's at the top of the forum, and be sure to tell them you're a Club Polk member for the discount and free shipping. $48.00 each, plus local sales tax.

wes_in_va

I think I'm finally unconfused.
Thanks for all the help, guys.

Nightfall

Those Peerless you have look so good I wonder if they're not the replica's with homemade holes?

http://w.mawebcenters.com/midwestspeaker/ecommerce/home-audio/tweeters/dome/mw-audio-mt-4115-1-inch-dome-tweeter.html