11t vs RTA12

deucekazoo

I know this might be a loaded question, but if you had to choose between the monitor 11t and the RTA12 which one would you pick? These are close enough to me to go pick up and the price is about the same on them. I am not sure how these sound and would like to get your guys opinion. My listening room is a smaller one (12x18). My audio stuff is on the 12' side. Thanks for your help.
John

boston1450

The 11t's is my vote. Easier to drive with receiver/amp & easier placement in room. Then down road you can do upgrades on tweeters & crossovers

EndersShadow

I own the RTA 11TL's but I wont weigh in as I haven't heard the other... I think your gonna get a whichever one is the better deal, or that you like the looks of better.

They are fairly close sound wise to each other from what I remember reading.

If you can, why not pickup both sets, try em both out and sell the one you dont like....

From a RTA persepective, if you re-do the xover you can at that time upgrade it to a TL model and use the RD0-198 in it.

Additionally I'd beg borrow and steal a set of rings & tweeter brackets for either if you can find em

westmassguy

Although both are from the RTA Line, their designs are quite different. The 12s had 3 versions I believe, the B & C are the newer and more desirable. Their driver arrangement is similar to a Monitor 10, except the Tweeter/crossover module is a separate unit, mounted to the top of the cabinet. They are big, wide speakers. The outer woofers on the B & C receive a slightly modified signal. The tops have a bonnet grill assembly which can be problematic if they need repair. The crossovers are rather complex, and expensive to upgrade. They cannot be TL'd and use the RDO-198-1 Tweeters. The early models came with Peerless Tweeters, and SL2000s on the later versions.
The RTA 11T uses the D'Appolito MTM Vertical Driver arrangement. They have a narrow face, but are deeper than the 12s. The Crossovers are similar to the Monitor 10s, are easily upgraded, and can be TL'd and use the RDO-198-1 Tweeters. The 11ts are the sweet spot in the 8t, 11t, 15tl line.
I would suggest you listen to both, and decide which sounds better to your ears. If WAF is involved, the 11Ts would most likely be more acceptable due to the narrow face.

deucekazoo

Thanks guys for the explanations and your opinions. No WAF to worry about. She likes speakers as much as I do. I do like the looks of the 11T and also looks like they would be easier to modify, which I like to do.
John

Nightfall

Depends on which 12's you are talking about. The original 12's with the tweeter mounted vertically or later 12's with the tweeter mounted horizontally? If former then the 11's, if latter then 12's.

George Grand

I brought home my first pair of 11t in Dec '89. The very next day I received my first issue of Stereophile in the mail. My first issue contained a review of my new speakers, and they savaged them. "A spitty high-end" and "How Matt Polk plans on competing in the $1K/pair market with these is anybody's guess" are two of the comments that come to mind. Well, the SL2000 IS a little "spitty" isn't it? Over the years I acquired 7 more pair for various reasons. I never thought that they sounded THAT bad (aside from that tweeter), they imaged pretty damn good, but I always had questions about the 26hertz bottom end Polk published. I don't think I'm wrong saying they don't get near that in operational use.

To me they were a good deal cause I bought the first two pair, brand new in the boxes for $562 for both pair. I got a nice pair for as little as $20 once, maybe seven years ago.

Nightfall

George Grand wrote: »

but I always had questions about the 26hertz bottom end Polk published. I don't think I'm wrong saying they don't get near that in operational use.

I have to agree. Check out the specs on the RTA-12's:

Maximum SPL 120 dB
Total Frequency Response 17Hz - 25kHz
Upper -3dB Limit 21.5 kHz
Lower -3dB Limit 25 Hz
Nominal Impedance 4 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power 10-500 watts per channel

I haven't tried playing 17Hz or even the -3db of 25Hz sine waves but I'd guess there would be massive cone movement with little to no sound. I'm also skeptical of the 500 watt rating.

Never the less, they do dig pretty deep and sound fantastic which makes me care nothing for the specs.