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Polk S10 (old model) question

Hyme2019Hyme2019 Posts: 56
in Speakers
I found a pair of S10 speakers (90s model) for $120 a pair. They have the black dome tweeter instead of the trilaminate. I assume a running model change or revision. Question is how did the black dome tweet sound compared to the trilaminate?
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  • rooftop59rooftop59 Posts: 6,559
    Not worth $120 no way. Black dome tweeter is smooth but not as much detail as the tri lam dome tweeter. I prefer the latter fwiw...
    Living Room 2.1: Dynaudio Contour 1.3mkii; Martin Logan Grotto sub; Musical Fidelity A308; Cambridge Azur 851N
    Game Room HT: Denon AVR-X4200w; Definitive Technology SM350; Definitive Technology LCR2000; Definitive Technology Procinema 800; Mirage Nanasats; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5
    Master Bedroom
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Definitive Technology SM45; ACI Titan Subwoofer; Squeezebox Touch
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  • skrolskrol Posts: 2,903
    According to the schematics, the S10 used the SL-5000 dome tweeter and there is also an S10 SE listed that used the SL-6000 which I think was a tri-laminate. Other differences are the SE used the MW8000 mid-woofer vs the S10 SE used the MW8101 and the XO differs a little with different inductors for the mid-woofers.

    I have never seen the S10 SE version and wonder if it ever went into production. I know the engineer (initials ZSP on the schematic) who designed the S series. I'll ask him next time I see him. He did tell me that the sweet spot of that line was the S6 and S8. The S10 was for "mucho bass".

    This is probably the most under rated of all Polk speakers. I have the S8 and they are very pleasant and comparable to the vintage Monitor (between M5 and M7), perhaps a little more refined. They don't have the build quality of the Monitors. I got mine for free because one tweeter was not working. I found the magnet popped off and was sitting inside the cabinet. I snapped it in place and it was good to go.

    I'd say $140 is over priced.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade), Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7; Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • rooftop59rooftop59 Posts: 6,559
    Hmm so the tweeter isn’t like this one?
    Living Room 2.1: Dynaudio Contour 1.3mkii; Martin Logan Grotto sub; Musical Fidelity A308; Cambridge Azur 851N
    Game Room HT: Denon AVR-X4200w; Definitive Technology SM350; Definitive Technology LCR2000; Definitive Technology Procinema 800; Mirage Nanasats; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5
    Master Bedroom
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Definitive Technology SM45; ACI Titan Subwoofer; Squeezebox Touch
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  • VR3VR3 Posts: 23,904
    The problem with the s series is the cabinets. They are not exactly.... Stout
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • Hyme2019Hyme2019 Posts: 56
    Well I had to buy them, paid $100. They are in really good condition. Worst case scenario Figure I can turn around and sell them. I had the ls50’s which I loved don’t know if these come close.
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  • Hyme2019Hyme2019 Posts: 56
    No regrets, little tlc and they look like new. Yeah I wouldn’t say the cabinets are the sturdiest Polk has ever made, but they are fun to listen to, classic Polk sound. Highs just a bit rolled off as compared to their trilaminate tweeter, definitely plenty of bass with the passive radiator, but doesn’t mask the midrange. Now I’d like to find a pair of ls50 in the same condition.
    0kcl95zo1d53.jpeg
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  • skrolskrol Posts: 2,903
    I attached a little reading material for your enjoyment.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade), Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7; Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • ken brydsonken brydson Posts: 7,786
    Hyme2019 wrote: »
    No regrets, little tlc and they look like new. Yeah I wouldn’t say the cabinets are the sturdiest Polk has ever made, but they are fun to listen to, classic Polk sound. Highs just a bit rolled off as compared to their trilaminate tweeter, definitely plenty of bass with the passive radiator, but doesn’t mask the midrange. Now I’d like to find a pair of ls50 in the same condition.
    0kcl95zo1d53.jpeg

    Where are you located? Looking to thin the herd. Have some mint LS50's I might let go.
    HT/Main- Panny 50" G10 Plasma, Pioneer SC-1222k AVR, Panny DMP-BD60 BDP, Polk LS90 mains, CS350LS center, LS/fx side surrounds, LS50 surround backs, SVS 25-31PC+ sub, Harmony One

    Office Rig- Marantz 2252B, Denon 2910, Kenwood KD2070 TT, Polk RTA 12B's/ RTA8t
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  • NightfallNightfall Posts: 9,110
    edited November 2019
    Is that the Genesis Mini and a NES Mini that I spy?
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • GardenstaterGardenstater Posts: 1,030
    edited November 2019
    How do these speakers compare listening-wise with an early Monitor 7 (I have 7B's from 1979)? The size of the cabinet and weight of the speaker is somewhat comparable. The brochure the audio store gave me (see below) gives a frequency response of 33Hz to 20.5kHz +/-2dB, which I always thought was extraordinary! I notice that in the brochure they say system resonance of 30 Hz, which goes down to 20 Hz for the Model 10, which weighs 50 lbs vs 36 lbs. for the 7. Just bringing that up because perhaps cabinet damping may be in order for the 7's. Sorry not trying to hijack your thread just curious about how new stacks up to old.
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub
    Crown D150 amp
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14 gauge, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
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  • Hyme2019Hyme2019 Posts: 56
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Is that the Genesis Mini and a NES Mini that I spy?
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Is that the Genesis Mini and a NES Mini that I spy?

    It sure is nightfall I’ve got em all. Lol
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  • Hyme2019Hyme2019 Posts: 56
    ken brydson wrote: »
    Hyme2019 wrote: »
    No regrets, little tlc and they look like new. Yeah I wouldn’t say the cabinets are the sturdiest Polk has ever made, but they are fun to listen to, classic Polk sound. Highs just a bit rolled off as compared to their trilaminate tweeter, definitely plenty of bass with the passive radiator, but doesn’t mask the midrange. Now I’d like to find a pair of ls50 in the same condition.
    0kcl95zo1d53.jpeg

    Where are you located? Looking to thin the herd. Have some mint LS50's I might let go.

    Minnesota and you?
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  • NightfallNightfall Posts: 9,110
    Hyme2019 wrote: »
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Is that the Genesis Mini and a NES Mini that I spy?
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Is that the Genesis Mini and a NES Mini that I spy?

    It sure is nightfall I’ve got em all. Lol

    If you collect original cartridges I've got a ton I'm thinking about selling.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • Hyme2019Hyme2019 Posts: 56
    Gardenstater wrote: »
    How do these speakers compare listening-wise with an early Monitor 7 (I have 7B's from 1979)? The size of the cabinet and weight of the speaker is somewhat comparable. The brochure the audio store gave me (see below) gives a frequency response of 33Hz to 20.5kHz +/-2dB, which I always thought was extraordinary! I notice that in the brochure they say system resonance of 30 Hz, which goes down to 20 Hz for the Model 10, which weighs 50 lbs vs 36 lbs. for the 7. Just bringing that up because perhaps cabinet damping may be in order for the 7's. Sorry not trying to hijack your thread just curious about how new stacks up to old.

    You know I was in my late teens when the Polk s10s came out so I really never had any experience with the old monitor series or SDA for that matter. I’ve certainly heard you guys talk highly of them. That being said being honest most speakers before the early 90s were god awful ugly in my opinion and yes I know speakers are for listening to not looking at lol.
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  • ken brydsonken brydson Posts: 7,786
    Hyme2019 wrote: »
    ken brydson wrote: »
    Hyme2019 wrote: »
    No regrets, little tlc and they look like new. Yeah I wouldn’t say the cabinets are the sturdiest Polk has ever made, but they are fun to listen to, classic Polk sound. Highs just a bit rolled off as compared to their trilaminate tweeter, definitely plenty of bass with the passive radiator, but doesn’t mask the midrange. Now I’d like to find a pair of ls50 in the same condition.
    0kcl95zo1d53.jpeg

    Where are you located? Looking to thin the herd. Have some mint LS50's I might let go.

    Minnesota and you?

    WA. Shipping would probably kill the deal...
    HT/Main- Panny 50" G10 Plasma, Pioneer SC-1222k AVR, Panny DMP-BD60 BDP, Polk LS90 mains, CS350LS center, LS/fx side surrounds, LS50 surround backs, SVS 25-31PC+ sub, Harmony One

    Office Rig- Marantz 2252B, Denon 2910, Kenwood KD2070 TT, Polk RTA 12B's/ RTA8t
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  • halo71halo71 Posts: 4,491
    Gardenstater wrote: »
    How do these speakers compare listening-wise with an early Monitor 7 (I have 7B's from 1979)? The size of the cabinet and weight of the speaker is somewhat comparable. The brochure the audio store gave me (see below) gives a frequency response of 33Hz to 20.5kHz +/-2dB, which I always thought was extraordinary! I notice that in the brochure they say system resonance of 30 Hz, which goes down to 20 Hz for the Model 10, which weighs 50 lbs vs 36 lbs. for the 7. Just bringing that up because perhaps cabinet damping may be in order for the 7's. Sorry not trying to hijack your thread just curious about how new stacks up to old.

    Your 7B's are a much much better speaker than the S10. I was given a pair of minty S10's several years ago. Very bloated flabby bass imo. I ended up given them to a neighbor. The 7B with Peerless tweeters is a more refined speaker in every way,
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • crassmagecrassmage Posts: 32
    edited November 2019
    quote="Nightfall;c-2548796"]
    Hyme2019 wrote: »
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Is that the Genesis Mini and a NES Mini that I spy?
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Is that the Genesis Mini and a NES Mini that I spy?

    It sure is nightfall I’ve got em all. Lol

    If you collect original cartridges I've got a ton I'm thinking about selling.[/quote]


    I'm looking me and my son collect old games! I'm in MN 55912. Lemme know😁😉
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  • jimC2jimC2 Posts: 29
    The crossover components tend to detach from the board because of the old glue and probably need to be secured with zip ties. I have 3 pair of the S10's and had to fix this on all of them. Pulling the passive radiator is the easiest way to get to the crossover. Also, they sound much better if you raise the tweeter to ear level. This improves the base also, seems to make it clearer and less boomy.
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