Polk Mini Monitors

DeRod
DeRod Posts: 58
in Vintage Speakers
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Got a pair of Mini Monitors a few days ago. I thought the woofer are aftermarket but they were soldered like from the factory same as the tweeters. I think I’ve seen photos of these speakers with those same woofers. Either way got a pair of the rola CTS drivers to swap them out. I’ll post photos once I swap the drivers. Does anyone know what’s up with the drivers currently in the speakers ?
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  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 788
    Keep the woofers and tweeters, upgrade the crossovers.

    Has anyone upgraded the XOs in a pair of mini monitors here before?
    2ch rig: Speakers: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands Preamplifier: Parasound P5 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)

    Standby: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    edited November 29
    1056 is the EIA Production Source Code for GEFCO Mfg. Co., Grayslake, IL. That date code would seem to be 32 week of 1999, which would mean it couldn't be the original driver for that early Mini Monitor. For example that Peerless wasn't manufactured after early 1985. What is the date on the back of the tweeter (show a picture)? Maybe the midwoofer was a replacement ordered from Polk. Gefco was still manufacturing then.
    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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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    b7ju72vxihid.jpg
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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    It had mortite for the gaskets on all 3. Behind the tweeter it was like a layer of play-do and behind the MW snd PR
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    edited November 29
    23rd week of 1980. That other midwoofer looks decidedly different and older. Can you take that one out and post a photo of the back, without any paper label?

    The mini monitor was reviewed in Stereo Review, Aug. 1979

    823f5zcu0cnc.png
    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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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    v4d77c21gupm.jpeg

    I took out the plastic ones.

    Those are CTS .. I read that those are the correct woofers. So far so good .. they fit! :D
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    Which are CTS? I would like you to post a photo of the back of that one in the photo above. That is most likely original.
    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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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    It came with the 1999 drivers. BTW thanks Gardenstater for the info on those. Your like an encyclopedia 😂

    I read up that Polk used the same CTS drivers as the 901s for the minis and the m9 so I just went on the flea-bay and picked up a clean pair for cheap. I think I’m gonna paint them with that high gloss polymer like Polk did.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    edited November 29
    You're welcome but I'm saying that the other one you didn't remove is clearly different and older. I'd be pretty surprised if it was 1999. It matches the passive in appearance.

    Nevermind. I think I get what you are saying. Too bad those CTS don't seem to have any date code. They sure do look like the passives. The picture is pretty bad in the scanned review but the cone looks polymerized and shiny. What do they ohm out at? Are they closer to 8 ohms?
    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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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    No … you’re misunderstanding me I think. When I purchased them they came with the 2 newer woofers.

    I realized before even buying them that those didn’t look right. After a bit of research I found that the mini monitor used the same 4” as the 1st gen 901 so I bought a pair of those.

    644bvdrr47ap.jpeg

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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    8frueo7s8fxh.jpeg
    b0un2d1n4xq6.jpeg

    The crossover has:
    12uf
    33uf
    1 ohm
    2.7 ohm
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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    lrcycixtj5za.jpeg

    The CTS driver reads 8.3 ohm. The ones I removed read 4.2 ohm.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    edited November 29
    Let's hope that the ones the seller put in were the wrong impedance :smile: I'd bet they were, especially since the Peerless is probably the 8 ohm impedance ones; I've never heard of Polk using the 4 ohm 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    edited November 29
    0hb5bdvyj300.jpeg


    Yes both tweeters 8.2
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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    fhhisbelh06z.jpeg

    Just listened to them in them bedroom .. nothing exploded and they didn’t sound really terrible.
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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    u8k5n48qn18z.jpeg

    Polymerized and shiny
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    Those tweeters are SCREAMING for anti diffraction wool.

    If you want to replace that one with the wrinkled dome, here are 2 that just popped up and are very underpriced and if I needed them I'd jump on em:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/126805500616
    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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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,570
    Gone!!
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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    You snooze you lose or the early bird gets the worm? 😂 Nice grab pitdogg2! That was a steal of a deal. Gardenstater thanks for heads up on that.
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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    edited December 1
    I was thinking wool felt for the whole front? One of them has four random screw holes in the front that I can’t understand what the previous owners purpose was for those.

    Trying to figure out grills right now.

    foqvpgxlagsk.jpeg


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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,303
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    Gone!!

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/126807335573?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20220405142716&meid=fc28b8100cda4761930da45f7f982d8d&pid=101506&rk=1&rkt=10&sd=126805500616&itm=126807335573&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=4481478&algv=DefaultOrganicWebWithV11WebTrimmedV3VisualRankerWithKnnV3AndUltBRecall&brand=Peerless&_trksid=p4481478.c101506.m1851
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • subkron
    subkron Posts: 76
    ^^ Back up again, grab them before they really get snagged! ^^
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    I was thinking wool felt for the whole front?
    Forget that wool felt anywhere on those.
    One of them has four random screw holes in the front that I can’t understand what the previous owners purpose was for those.
    You need to ensure those holes are sealed otherwise you will have air leaks.
    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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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    I checked and the holes don’t go all the way through. Also filled the holes in from the front with wood filler. Unfortunately the screws messed up the vinyl.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,303
    Are these really worth that much attention other than a conversation/collector piece? I just don’t see investing the money in these..

    IMO of course..
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    I agree, I only bought them as a conversation/collector piece. I got them dirt cheap too. With the new woofers I’m only about $50 into these so adding a felt front to cover the holes isn't going to break the bank. They are pretty much in perfect condition aside from the ugly holes.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    Thanks for exploring a piece of Polk history and providing a little interesting content for the forum. Those cabinets cry out edge diffraction to me and I'm all for your plan with the wool. The review mentioned a "cupped hands" effect and lack of optimal imaging. Cupped hands means they do the opposite of disappear and are playing from the baffle. 👍👍
    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: 50,649
    DeRod wrote: »
    I agree, I only bought them as a conversation/collector piece. I got them dirt cheap too. With the new woofers I’m only about $50 into these so adding a felt front to cover the holes isn't going to break the bank. They are pretty much in perfect condition aside from the ugly holes.

    Of course, with grills on you can't see the holes...hello!
    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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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
    But …..when I take off my home made grills I can see the holes again .. remember I have a bad case of OCD 😂 … reminds me I need Polk emblems for my grills 😂😂
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  • DeRod
    DeRod Posts: 58
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    They are definitely not replacing my bedroom speakers. I have a pair of KEF Q150s for the computer desktop. So yeh, I pretty much just got these to look at 😂
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