Be honest: how worth it is the crossover upgrades?

13»

Comments

  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,636
    Crossover upgrades can add value to a speaker if done correctly.

    If your finished product looks like a blob of hot glue on a piece of cardboard, it will probably take away value
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hansvelton
    Hansvelton Posts: 151
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    It doesn't (didn't) mean transmission line when Polk uses (used) "TL" ;)
    But that is what it means to most speaker-folks.

    I never knew until the posts above what TL meant in Polk's patois! :#

    Polk has a tendency to use a lot of "Ad speak" over the years. Every driver, cabinet and port has some name associated with it.

    Power port, trilaminate, fluid coupled radiators, and so on.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,636
    It's called marketing.

    All brands do this. Focal, Wilson, everyone
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,636
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    It doesn't (didn't) mean transmission line when Polk uses (used) "TL" ;)
    But that is what it means to most speaker-folks.

    I never knew until the posts above what TL meant in Polk's patois! :#

    When I received my RTA15 boxes they were marked RTA15t. No L. I often wondered why, even being told they were tl's
    ..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,459
    The Peerless Tweeter was never referred to as "Peerless" in their ads. No surprise but who didn't know lol? If they gave a reference to it other than silk dome, they either called it HF1000 or SL1000. Lots of things were a little fast and loose.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hansvelton
    Hansvelton Posts: 151
    edited February 2022
    VR3 wrote: »
    Crossover upgrades can add value to a speaker if done correctly.

    If your finished product looks like a blob of hot glue on a piece of cardboard, it will probably take away value

    True at times, but buying from a random stranger, it is often hard to convince them to remove parts of the speaker to see the upgrade or how well it was done.

    I have been to a few guys houses that showed pics in a living room, but upon arrival they were in a dimly lit cold garage with a blanket over them.....and were not interested in spending much time demoing sound or for sure pulling drivers etc...lol
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,000
    I was jesting about the Brit speakers being "TLed" from factory. Was referring to what looks like a transmission line port on them.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Zosimo
    Zosimo Posts: 13
    I've just replaced the xo's, gaskets, internal cables, spikes, and binding posts on my M12's and it isn't a night and day difference. Mind you, my ears aren't what they used to be.

    However, there is a difference nonetheless and worth the 300$ in my opinion as I intend to keep them for life.

    I also own a pair of Dali Oberon 9's that are brand new and latest tech with very interesting proprietary solutions which are much more rated than the M12's, but I can assure you that I often prefer listening to the Polks.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    edited February 2022
    ...
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,023
    jakebake wrote: »
    I have rta12C’s right now… with current components prices increasing and depending on the quality of the caps, etc how worth it are these crossover upgrades for say $500-$1000+?

    Is it a night and day difference or is it 5%?

    Obviously different speakers but for instance for $1000 you can get Tekton Lores or a good chunk towards KEF ls50 metas or even start going towards Zu omens etc etc…

    It’s not about the money just wondering honestly how much does this really help and at what point is it better just to get something newer or even move up the Polk vintage line instead… I’m sure that’s a difficult question to ask In vintage speaker forum though.

    Thanks for any unbiased opinions!

    No. Get yourself a newer and more advanced in technology, better speaker with better drivers.

    Audition as many as possible within your price range and have fun with it.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    Dang I liked the RTA-12B with Peerless.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,786
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Dang I liked the RTA-12B with Peerless.

    That's cool, nothin' wrong with that.
    de gustibus non est disputandum -- and I don't mean that dismissively! :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • motorstereo
    motorstereo Posts: 2,132
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    The SuperCompact IIs that I had were absolutely & irrevocably superb. I would have them still, but I didn't want to have to deal with re-surrounding the midrange drivers.

    28112017459_e1e931639d.jpg

    Thankfully my new to me Super Compact II's have rubber mid surrounds so no foam rot to worry about. I totally agree with you on their sound. These are probably the finest sounding smallish speakers I've ever owned. tb2pfnw94ath.jpg
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kryten
    Kryten Posts: 79
    Back to the OP's original question, I would reply to at least get Dayton caps and resistors to RESTORE the crossovers to original spec. Evaluate the resulting sound and THEN determine if something more might be acheived. Too many people only hear out of spec crossovers and assume that's what it's supposed to sound like.

    UPGRADING crossover components to more precise, faster, more stable, more "magical" brands is a whole 'nother discussion (as can be seen previously in this and many many many.... other threads. :D

    FWIW, I generally buy Sonic Caps and Mills (but that was before the price increases). And NO, I don't really expect to get my money back out when it's time to sell. I figure while I'm inside a speaker I should do the best job possible and not just make them pretty.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,000
    edited February 2022
    ^^^^ Speakernomics ^^^^
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TennMan
    TennMan Posts: 1,266
    On the advice of westmassguy who did the TL upgrade on my crossovers, a combination of Sonicap and Dayton capacitors and Mills resistors was used in my 2Bs. We discussed it before he ordered the parts and we thought that combination would be the best bang for the buck. Although I was on a tight budget I didn't want to go too cheap and regret it.

    It's hard to tell if the parts I used in the crossover made a world of difference because I was going from the SL2000 tweeter to the RD0-198 at the same time. I can say upgrading the crossovers and tweeters was well worth the money I spent.
    • SDA 2BTL · Sonicaps · Mills resistors · RDO-198s · New gaskets · H-nuts · Erse inductors · BH5 · Dynamat
    • Crossover upgrades by westmassguy
    • Marantz 1504 AVR (front speaker pre-outs to Adcom 555)
    • Adcom GFA-555 amp · Upgrades & speaker protection added by OldmanSRS
    • Pioneer DV-610AV DVD/CD player
    • SDA CRS+ · Hidden away in the closet
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,459
    Kryten wrote: »
    Back to the OP's original question, I would reply to at least get Dayton caps and resistors to RESTORE the crossovers to original spec. Evaluate the resulting sound and THEN determine if something more might be acheived. Too many people only hear out of spec crossovers and assume that's what it's supposed to sound like.

    True dat but, and being devil's advocate a little, that is still comparing apples and oranges unless you only replace electrolytics with electrolytics and mylar caps with cheap film caps and also only go with cheap wirewound resistors potted in ceramic. This is assuming the values are within reasonable tolerances, even on the new ones.

    There is something to be said for being on a budget because it can force you to do one upgrade at a time and further your knowledge/experience by allowing you to assess the effect that each one had on the overall SQ. I'm kind of glad I did it that way so far. Plus I can avoid the shock of having the $$ total be so obvious. I have a married audio friend who relies on that heavily ;)
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter