Replacement woofers for RTA 12B

jpsyoda
jpsyoda Posts: 5
in Vintage Speakers
Hi there. This is my first post. I recently bought a pair of RTA 12Bs at a flea market for
$80. No grills, top hats, and there is paint on a couple spots, so they aren't real pretty. One of the woofers is seized up, probably the
dreaded magnet shift that I have been reading about. Are there any good alternatives that have been tried? I am concerned about ordering a used one on eBay, and having it arrive broken with the same problem. I am looking at new drivers from Parts Express. Anyone try replacing Polk woofers with aftermarket? I like the Dayton Audio classic series drivers, good price, and seem similar. Sorry for such a long post.
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Comments

  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    You really need the Polk replacement to get the sound Polk intended. Pull the non working one and read the code on the paper label on the Magnet assembly. It should say MW6600X, or something like that. Then look on ebay. They pop up from time to time.

    And Welcome to CP!
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    I would not use anything other than the Polk driver it uses. It probably is MW6600X like drumminman says which, I'm sorry to say, is not extremely common in the used market nor does Polk make a new replacement.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • jpsyoda
    jpsyoda Posts: 5
    thanks for the replies. :) I will look into it once I'm not broke.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    To drive the point home....there are no suitable after market replacement drivers for the MWxxxx Polk drivers.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,441
    Not all used mw 6600, if I remember correctly some use 2 different drivers later versions used mw6501 iirc. Some of us here tend to hoard drivers. Welcome to club Polk stick around and you may find someone has a spare.
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  • jpsyoda
    jpsyoda Posts: 5
    Just an update on my build. I went with new OEM replacement woofers from Midwest Speakers. They have the MW6503 with a Dec 2012 build date. Upon removing the old drivers, I discovered that there were 3 MW6600X drivers, with a build date in 82, and a single MW6503 with a build date of '90. Replaced the 2 inner woofers with the new ones, and glued the magnets of the other 2. Added foam gaskets to the old drivers (new ones had them). I am blown away by how good these sound being driven by my Marantz 2238B. Thank you everyone for your help. Here is a pic of the finished product. Not sure where to post it, but if anyone has grills and/or top hats, please message me, as I am looking for some.
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  • jpsyoda
    jpsyoda Posts: 5
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,441
    congrats interested in what they cost from Midwest? many drivers are still sold by Polk.....
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  • jpsyoda
    jpsyoda Posts: 5
    They were $60 each. Total of $137 including shipping. Very pleased with the sound.
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,759
    $48 each from Polk with free shipping iirc ...
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    DSkip wrote: »
    I'd give up finding a pair of top hats for them. Most are already broken so pickings are slim. The ones that aren't destroyed likely would be via shipping.

    This. I feel lucky that only one of mine is broke. The frames could have been made from something sturdier, for sure.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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