Polk RTA 12's for $150 with stands

70383roadrunner
70383roadrunner Posts: 12
edited August 5 in Vintage Speakers
I have a chance to pick up a mint pair of RTA 12's with stands for $150. Seems like a great price. I already have a pair of Monitor 10's. Any idea if there is a noticible improvement between the two?
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,576
    RTA 12's are completely different from monitor 10's. Monitor 10 is not a time aligned speaker. RTA 12 is a real time aligned speaker and the two 6.5" drivers play different frequency and that is the reason they are labeled left and right speakers.

    Monitor 10's 6.5" drivers both play the same frequency and it does not matter which side left or right either speaker is placed in the room.

    You're comparing apples to oranges.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    What he said.
    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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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,000
    Toss the 10's in the garage/shop and set the 12's up, then mod away.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    If the RTA 12s are the very early version the two midwoofers do not play a different frequency range. You can easily tell if that is the version you have a chance at because the tweeter will be oriented with the long dimension of the faceplate vertically orientated instead of horizontally and it doesn't have an additional beveled edge baffle. Jazzhead had that version but made some mods that westmassguy (RIP) suggested (and others 😉 ) to change the sound profile of the two midwoofers by dampening the outer(?) one more inside its enclosure.
    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
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,658
    edited August 6
    Doesnt certain rta12's models come with different tweeters as well ? (Peerless/SL2000). Which the SL2000 could be upgraded as well to the RD-0194 which is far better. For 150.00 it's worth it if they are in order.. I owned the Monitor 10's & I snagged Monitor 11's which are R&L speaker & I enjoyed them. Sold off the 10s
    Post edited by boston1450 on
    ..
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  • 70383roadrunner
    70383roadrunner Posts: 12
    edited August 6
    Gardenstater wrote: »
    If the RTA 12s are the very early version the two midwoofers do not play a different frequency range. You can easily tell if that is the version you have a chance at because the tweeter will be oriented with the long dimension of the faceplate vertically orientated instead of horizontally and it doesn't have an additional beveled edge baffle. Jazzhead had that version but made some mods that westmassguy (RIP) suggested (and others 😉 ) to change the sound profile of the two midwoofers by dampening the outer(?) one more inside its enclosure.

    The tweeters are mounted vertically.

    67dakcv8ckmr.jpg

    x3nlhiwmgd9k.jpg

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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    Oh, well I will say that, if the drivers are all in good shape, $150 is an incredible price. If you are modification inclined, you could follow in @Jazzhead 's footsteps. He loves his uber modded ones!
    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
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,658
    Do you have the power to push them?
    ..
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,140
    How far? Are stairs involved? What about furniture dollies?
    I disabled signatures.
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  • 70383roadrunner
    70383roadrunner Posts: 12
    Gardenstater wrote: »
    Oh, well I will say that, if the drivers are all in good shape, $150 is an incredible price. If you are modification inclined, you could follow in @Jazzhead 's footsteps. He loves his uber modded ones!

    A rebuilt Carver M 1.5t 350 watts per channel or my Carver M 1.5t rebuilt to 500 watts per channel. Both recently rebuilt by Nelion Audio.
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  • 70383roadrunner
    70383roadrunner Posts: 12
    edited August 6
    boston1450 wrote: »
    Do you have the power to push them?

    A rebuilt Carver M 500t 350 watts per channel or my Carver M 1.5t rebuilt to 500 watts per channel. Both recently rebuilt by Nelion Audio.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    70383roadrunner wrote: »
    Gardenstater wrote: »
    Oh, well I will say that, if the drivers are all in good shape, $150 is an incredible price. If you are modification inclined, you could follow in @Jazzhead 's footsteps. He loves his uber modded ones!

    A rebuilt Carver M 1.5t 350 watts per channel or my Carver M 1.5t rebuilt to 500 watts per channel. Both recently rebuilt by Nelion Audio.

    Is it "high current" 🤣 ?
    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
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited August 6
    Gardenstater wrote: »
    70383roadrunner wrote: »
    Gardenstater wrote: »
    Oh, well I will say that, if the drivers are all in good shape, $150 is an incredible price. If you are modification inclined, you could follow in @Jazzhead 's footsteps. He loves his uber modded ones!

    A rebuilt Carver M 1.5t 350 watts per channel or my Carver M 1.5t rebuilt to 500 watts per channel. Both recently rebuilt by Nelion Audio.

    Is it "high current" 🤣 ?

    Why don't you tell everyone what is and what is not a high current amplifier.
    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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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    F1nut wrote: »
    Gardenstater wrote: »
    70383roadrunner wrote: »
    Gardenstater wrote: »
    Oh, well I will say that, if the drivers are all in good shape, $150 is an incredible price. If you are modification inclined, you could follow in @Jazzhead 's footsteps. He loves his uber modded ones!

    A rebuilt Carver M 1.5t 350 watts per channel or my Carver M 1.5t rebuilt to 500 watts per channel. Both recently rebuilt by Nelion Audio.

    Is it "high current" 🤣 ?

    Why don't you tell everyone what is and what is not a high current amplifier.

    You don't get current without power. High transient power/current capabilities would be an amplifier that doesn't have current limiting, has an overbuilt power supply, lots of output transistors with high power/current ratings etc.. blah blah blah.

    That is a beast of an amplifier. I know @Jazzhead said his really did come into their own when he went with high power monoblocks (am I remembering correctly?). Maybe he'll see your thread and will have lots of help he can give you. He's your man.
    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
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,658
    70383roadrunner wrote: »
    boston1450 wrote: »
    Do you have the power to push them?

    A rebuilt Carver M 500t 350 watts per channel or my Carver M 1.5t rebuilt to 500 watts per channel. Both recently rebuilt by Nelion Audio.

    Well. I guess that will do :D . I've seen some who had small receivers that might be problems
    ..
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,658
    From what I see they look to be very nice. Even the hats (tops) look great. Good luck on your decision
    ..
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,000
    Have to ask. Are those the original factory tweeter braces,(Looks like rusted or copper heavy gauge wire)?
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    xschop wrote: »
    Have to ask. Are those the original factory tweeter braces,(Looks like rusted or copper heavy gauge wire)?

    Looks the same as the pictures in this thread, which the OP may find interesting.

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/192819/original-rta-12-specs
    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
  • 70383roadrunner
    70383roadrunner Posts: 12
    xschop wrote: »
    Have to ask. Are those the original factory tweeter braces,(Looks like rusted or copper heavy gauge wire)?

    No idea. The seller finally got back to me after 3 days and a half dozen emails to him to tell me they were sold. Gotta love how lazy people are. They can't go back to their listing and mark it sold!
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,140
    suuuuuux.
    Sorry man.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,000
    70383roadrunner wrote: »
    xschop wrote: »
    Have to ask. Are those the original factory tweeter braces,(Looks like rusted or copper heavy gauge wire)?

    No idea. The seller finally got back to me after 3 days and a half dozen emails to him to tell me they were sold. Gotta love how lazy people are. They can't go back to their listing and mark it sold!

    Some folks are azzhatz. Back to the search. Maybe you can find a later set.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • odcics2
    odcics2 Posts: 339
    It would be interesting to see the step response of this speaker.
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