Which RTA12 are these and should I get them?
jakebake
Posts: 26
Pics in the link at the bottom… So I feel like I’ve become a little obsessed lol but I just picked up a pair of Monitor 10s with peerless tweeter a few days ago. They look almost brand new but the right woofer on both speakers is frozen (don’t know if it happened otw home or not) but I just found these RTA12s for $300 near me. I’m assuming that price is high? But also which ones are these?
This same person actually has two extra mw6501 woofers for sale too that would fit my monitor 10s? How do I make sure they are fine? What’s a fair price?
Are they worth picking up and how will they compare to the monitor 10? Are they anywhere near SDA quality?
There is also monitor 7s near me as well. I think that’s the peerless tweeter? Fair price? Should I get those? I know some people like the monitor 7 over the 10.
https://imgur.com/a/7fmsqAk
This same person actually has two extra mw6501 woofers for sale too that would fit my monitor 10s? How do I make sure they are fine? What’s a fair price?
Are they worth picking up and how will they compare to the monitor 10? Are they anywhere near SDA quality?
There is also monitor 7s near me as well. I think that’s the peerless tweeter? Fair price? Should I get those? I know some people like the monitor 7 over the 10.
https://imgur.com/a/7fmsqAk
Comments
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I would get the 7 over the 10. Those look exactly like mine. Probably 1979.
Those RTA12C will blow away the 10s. Upgrade the tweeters to RDO-194-1. Much better soundstage and imaging vs 10s. Can't comment on comparing to SDA from lack of personal experience but I know the soundstage will be like comparing apples and oranges of course. SDA soundstage being much superior. Unfair comparison though.
The earliest 10s had the MW6500 with the Peerless and then they used the MW6501 with the SL1000. I wouldn't mix and match. You didn't show a picture of the 10s. The main issue to watch out for aside from that is that there is no obvious damage and that there is no voice coil rubbing whatsoever. Sometimes it doesn't show up until you play difficult low end bass but usually you can feel it when you exercise the cones manually. Cracked spiders are hard to see but they are obviously a problem as well.George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Onkyo A-8017 integrated
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
Gardenstater wrote: »I would get the 7 over the 10. Those look exactly like mine. Probably 1979.
Those RTA12C will blow away the 10s. Upgrade the tweeters to RDO-194-1. Much better soundstage and imaging vs 10s. Can't comment on comparing to SDA from lack of personal experience but I know the soundstage will be like comparing apples and oranges of course. SDA soundstage being much superior. Unfair comparison though.
The earliest 10s had the MW6500 with the Peerless and then they used the MW6501 with the SL1000. I wouldn't mix and match. You didn't show a picture of the 10s. The main issue to watch out for aside from that is that there is no obvious damage and that there is no voice coil rubbing whatsoever. Sometimes it doesn't show up until you play difficult low end bass but usually you can feel it when you exercise the cones manually. Cracked spiders are hard to see but they are obviously a problem as well.
Thank you! What makes these the 12c vs 12b etc which tweeter is that? Is it still OK without the RDO tweeter upgrade (might do that later).
I already have the Monitor 10 with peerless tweeter. Thinking about picking up the RTA12c though and / or monitor 7. Is that monitor 7 peerless? -
Yep the monitor 7 in the picture you showed is the Peerless. That's the good one!
I believe the RTA12C used the SL2000 tweeter shown in the picture whereas the RTA12B used the Peerless. I'd have to check on which ones used the SL1000 but that isn't the issue here. So defintely 12C.
Always OK to do the tweeter upgrade later if money is an issue but you will be missing out and life is short lol.
George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Onkyo A-8017 integrated
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
In my opinion, go for the 12's. No comparison to the 10's and 7's. I have had all 3 (check some of my threads) and the 12's kick a$$. SDA's are another story. They are the next rabbit hole to fall into. I have had the 1c's and 2 b's. It never ends!
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SDA-10's sound mighty fine. Just need a set of CRS+ x-overs and a set of 6511s or 6502s.Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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In my opinion, go for the 12's. No comparison to the 10's and 7's. I have had all 3 (check some of my threads) and the 12's kick a$$. SDA's are another story. They are the next rabbit hole to fall into. I have had the 1c's and 2 b's. It never ends!
You think they are worth $300 or what should I offer?
Just got a bluesound powernode and using that with the Monitor 10s right now. I think it sounds phenomenal. Wanted something that I could stream too as well. I've grown up with a lot of expensive speakers and tube audio gear (I'm just 34) from my parents and so I wasn't alive when these speakers came out. I only started on this because my friend has had ads l880s from his dad for years and I always thought there was something about them... never really considered getting vintage speakers. I mean I paid like 1300 for the KEF LSX and if I'm being honest i think they sound like shi*t lol. These speakers are fing FUN
I'm listening to the polk monitor 10s right now with the bluesound powernode and the right top woofer on both speakers does not work and yet they still sound great.. that bass extension... man.... as soon as I can get them fixed and do some mods I can't imagine.
I'm probably still going to pick up the RTAs and if I ever find SDAs close to me I'll probably do that too
but like... for the price of these... it's hard to explain and I'm definitely someone who is into tech and its hard for me to go vintage but I don't think i've heard anything better than these... maybe if I spend thousands of dollars more.
I'd like more of a soundstage, but I guess thats where the SDA might come in eventually.
I just think these compete with newer speakers at $2000+. -
In my opinion, go for the 12's. No comparison to the 10's and 7's. I have had all 3 (check some of my threads) and the 12's kick a$$. SDA's are another story. They are the next rabbit hole to fall into. I have had the 1c's and 2 b's. It never ends!
Why'd you get rid of the 1c and 2b? -
Picked up the RTA12.... This is some of the most fun i've had listening to music in awhile
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In my opinion, go for the 12's. No comparison to the 10's and 7's. I have had all 3 (check some of my threads) and the 12's kick a$$. SDA's are another story. They are the next rabbit hole to fall into. I have had the 1c's and 2 b's. It never ends!
Why'd you get rid of the 1c and 2b?
Several reasons for moving on from the SDA's. I wanted to try a 300b SET amp and with that I needed a more efficient speaker. Another reason is I tend to want to "try" other speakers and equipment on a fairly regular basis. To keep peace on the home front, I have sold all my equipment and have just what I am currently using. I am also anticipating down sizing in the near future. I think you will find that the 10's are very good for what they are, but the 12's will will dig deeper on the low end, the high end will be open and airy and the sound stage will be much, much wider. For some here, the 12's are their main speakers in their system.
