Polk Monitor 10Bs versus LS90, LS50 and LS-CS350

MadestMaxwell

I currently use Monitor 10Bs which I am extremely happy with and, more surprisingly, my wife allowed into the living room. I am using using a Mirage OM C2 center speaker and Mirage omnipolar rears, running through a Pioneer SCLX 57.

I can get a set of LS90, LS50 and LS-CS350 for $1000 but won't be able to audition them. They are not light. How to the LS90 compare with the Monitor 10Bs ? Has anybody used the LS series for home theater ?

Any opinions welcomed. I have 3 days to decide.

pitdogg2

The CS350 is a darn nice center, I've two of them myself.

ken brydson

I'm a huge fan of the LS series, especially for HT. Price of the package you mentioned is way steep IMO. I recently sold this set for $700, including the SVS sub...

MadestMaxwell

Many thanks for your comments. Yeah I may hang back on the price if I can....considering I got my Monitor 10Bs and stands for a lot lot less Could and should the LS50s be used as rear surround speakers ? IF not, I'm not sure what I'll do with them, assuming the LS 90s are superior. To knock the Monitor 10Bs off the perch they'll have to be good.....damn good.

ken brydson

I used LS50s as rear surrounds with great results

Tony M

I owned the LS90's and they're darn nice speakers. Maybe better than the monitor 10b's I've owned a bunch of monitor 10s and still own a pair.

Yes, you could certainly use the LS50s for rears. That's what the previous owner probably did.

The price is too high by a lot. 500 or 6 tops. Maybe some tweeters or woofers are blown or some repair has to be done to the spiders where they attach to their baskets.

Is my advice too late?

MadestMaxwell

Not too late at all and many thanks. The LS90s look attractive with the veneer which might win me much needed wife appeal factor ( I am not sure yet whether to "surprise her" her ...it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission !) but the LS50s are bigger rears than my current ones...and she doesn't love those. The Monitor 10s were a triumph ...but I have made a few errors of judgement too. It could be the last upgrade before I eventually shuffle off to a retirement village and these beasts will be too heavy to take with me

Tony M

Well I hope you get a split package discount that makes both you and the seller happy.

If the seller will split it up.

I could've lived happily ever after with those L90s. until I heard more expensive speakers. But the LS 90s are a laid back kind of detailed sound.

dromunds

I purchased a mint pair of LS-50’s with original boxes for $125. LS-90’s should be around $350 in my area but sometimes sit for a long time for sale. CS-350 should be around $125 in excellent condition, I’ve purchased two recently one in original box. The LS-50’s in particular I found to be quite attractive.

MadestMaxwell

Thanks for the feedback. Yes a price drop definitely required. One review but only one I read mentioned the L90s as being "bright and fatiguing", possibly due to room placement. I am not a fan of brightness...and certainly not at a premium price !! Cheers

dromunds

I don’t agree with that review. They are good speakers. The guy just has them overpriced. My guess is they will sit a long time unsold. I would tell him in a very nice way if he ever gets down to $600 to give you a call. In a couple months he may be calling you. Or wait for a set of LSi’s that are better overall and valued somewhat similarly to what those LS’s should be

MadestMaxwell

Thanks for your thoughts. LSi's could be what I am after !! Or SDAs !

pitdogg2

SDA's suck!!

MadestMaxwell

But I thought everyone loved SDAs ?!!

I might just upgrade the tweeters and crossovers on my trusty 10Bs and stop dreaming of further musical nirvana. The guy moved a bit on price but the price is still not bargain basement. I have bought two different Polk center speakers trying to knock my Mirage OM C2 off the perch and magically integrate but could not hear a lot of difference or any real improvement so sold them both. The LS90 and C350 could do it paired up, but a lot of coin and 600 mile return road trip wild goose chase could be my biggest folly ever. But those rosewood veneers look nice ! And maybe the passive driver on the 10Bs gives something important up to the LS90s ?

Gardenstater

Have you mentioned whether or not you have done any mods to your 10B's? Putting aside that there are many here who say the Monitor 7 is better because of the lack of combing and lobing issues, you could take them to another level entirely. If you want to improve the quality of the bass, Dynamat plus xschop Semi rings and maybe even UPOCC wire from the XO to the MW's would make a huge difference.

MadestMaxwell

Thanks George. I have decided to pass on the LS90 package as the seller was too greedy. I thought I could start with replacing the the SL2000 tweeters with the RD0194-1. Listening to the 10Bs last night night at a generous volume in stereo I don't really have a problem with the current tweeter, except for maybe with a few brittle tracks I enjoy ( Ry Cooder's Get Rhythm..great song, nasty pressing etc) I don't even have a problem with the bass. I thought I was over the quest for improved sounds as a result of my wife's "conditioning"..... till this vintage Polk package lured me back in. I would still grab SDAs or the Lsi15s, but getting an upgrade of the 10B might be a modest and sensible start.

I might start the day by dragging out my old Mirage M390IS speakers from the garage where they languish and have a listen for old times sake..and then enjoy the Polks even more when I go back to them. I am sure my back is still up to it !

Cheers

dkfreebird

pitdogg2 wrote: »

SDA's suck!!

I agree with @pitdogg2 . That’s the reason these are in my rotation.😁

MadestMaxwell

@Gardenstater I have decided to to get my Monitor 10s upgraded . "Dynamat plus xschop Semi rings" sounds interesting. Are there any links to how this is done ?

Cheers

Gardenstater

Awesome! You will not be disappointed. These wide particle board baffles do flex a lot more than you might imagine and Rob's (xschop) thick steel semi-rings in horizontal orientation epoxied in with JBWeld are a HUGE improvement on that score. Dynamat Xtreme is a tried and true mod and mandatory as far as I'm concerned, for any stamped steel basket/frame driver. Just doing that alone will produce a nicer sound, especially on percussion. He's not real active over here anymore but here's a thread and there is a contact email to reach him there:

https://audiomilitia.proboards.com/thread/386/midwoofer-backing-rings

MadestMaxwell

Brilliant. Thanks so much for the link. The RD0194-1 are supposed to be a nice upgrade too.

TroyD

MadestMaxwell wrote: »

Brilliant. Thanks so much for the link. The RD0194-1 are supposed to be a nice upgrade too.

They are.....and keep your ear to the ground for SDA’s.

Cheers,

BDT

edubb46

I own 10s and LS-70s. Nothing to add to already shared comments, expect to acknowledge that I agree and pricing expectations were spot on (I'm in FL).