Polk 10B vs AR3/AR3a/AR11

danixmen

Hi guys. I have a Polk 10B that I'm very happy with... but I'd like to be even happier!
How would the Polk compare to the Acoustic Research AR3/AR3a/AR11?
Thanks!

mhardy6647

Very different loudspeakers all.

The AR3 in particular is very polite, underdamped (subjectively speaking -- actually I think the Qtc is pretty close to optimal for flat LF extension , i.e., 0.707). The AR3 suffers, from a modern perspective, from a rather rolled-off tweeter. The AR3a is objectively better, certainly in HF extension, but either model is a classic loudspeaker with nothing to be ashamed of. These loudspeakers aren't easy loads for an amplifier, and require massive amounts of power for best results -- but those results are quite impressive in their own way. They were designed for "middle of the hall" presentation, which isn't exactly fashionable any more.

I am not terribly familiar with the AR11, but it's probably cut from very similar cloth.

The Monitor Series Model 10 and its descendants have a couple of things going for them. The Peerless silk dome tweeter used in the 10 and 10A (and maybe early 10B? I get very fuzzy on the lineage past the 10A -- others here are completists and can speak to the later versions!) is superb, to my ears and taste. The passive radiator alignment (which is actually a bass reflex variant, although with a different rolloff characteristic than a "normal" Helmholtz resonator) gives it higher sensitivity than the AR acoustic suspension loudspeakers, so much less power is needed for the Monitor 10 relative to the ARs. The side-by-side arrangement of the 6-1/2 inch bass/midrange drivers in the 10 and its kin, though, is problematic.

FWIW, I like the Monitor 7/7A considerably better than the 10.

Also FWIW, I own a pair of AR3, a pair of early Model 10, and a pair of Monitor 7A.
None is in "heavy rotation" here, though.

EDIT; PS I'd suggest casting a broader net and try the ads L-710 or L-810, too.

danixmen

Thank you very much for your extensive reply.
My Polks have the SL2000 tweeter. From what you describe about the AR3's sound, it is the cliché of "it is a speaker for jazz and acoustics" while the Polks "are more for rock". The problem is that I listen to both styles of music . I have read that the AR3 are also very valid for rock.
As for my tastes in sound, I am in favor of a natural sound but with highs and lows. I have several amplifiers, all vintage, as well as a tda1540 dac with which I look for that "analogue sound" so sought after by some.
Since I do not have the option of listening to ARs (I would have to buy them online), and also the prices in Spain are three times higher than the Polks, the risk is high, although if I later like the Polks more, the ARs sell easily.
By the way, what you say about the Polk 10 vs 7 could be applied to the AR3 vs AR5 according to what I've read. What do you think?
Could you give details about the same music (Jazz and Rock) as it sounds on both speakers? (10b vs AR3)
Thanks again and greetings

F1nut

If you really want an AR speaker get the AR9. It will play rock, jazz, acoustic, whatever and sound damn good doing it.

danixmen

AR9 and LST are not viable due to price and weight

joebass3

danixmen wrote: »

Hi guys. I have a Polk 10B that I'm very happy with... but I'd like to be even happier!

I was in the same position a couple years ago. I liked my 10A's but wanted more. I'm a diehard Polk lover, so for me the answer was to keep the 10's and do some mods to get the most out of what I had.

If you're handy, take a look at this thread started by @Jazzhead ... https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/173834/westmassguys-idea-employing-damping-to-mitigate-comb-filtering-and-lobing/p1
While doing this mod, I also did some cabinet bracing that really tightened up the low end. There are a couple pics of the bracing in Jazzhead's thread.
If you haven't already, make sure to get the speakers up on a set of stands and play around with placement. For me, about a foot out away from the back wall was the best spot.
Also, for you, it would definitely be worth upgrading your tweeters to the RD0-194.

I also have a set of 7b's with Peerless tweeters, but for me, the 10's after doing the above modifications were taken to a new level and are my go to speakers.

danixmen

I thought about upgrading the 10Bs a while ago, but the cost of sending the tweeters to Spain is almost the same as the speakers, which, added to the change of capacitors, adds up to even more, so I'm ruling it out. My interest is to get an AR that surpasses the sound of the 10Bs and that isn't the LST or R9 (and company) because of their high prices. Thanks!

Gardenstater

Are there any dealers in Spain that carry Polk? They could order for you perhaps.

pitdogg2

https://lafargayherranz.com/tienda/polk-audio/

danixmen

Thanks for your interest, I don't want to invest in the Polks, I'll leave them as they are. I'm interested in knowing how they compare to the ARs. Thanks again

mhardy6647

I'll take another kick at the ball.
The Monitor 7 will better the AR 3 and 3a in overall clarity and presentation at the expense of LF extension. The 10 will give up midrange performance and some of that "clarity" compared to the 7, but with fuller and a bit deeper bass (which some of ahem, us might characterize as too full).
The AR3a will better the 3. I don't know about the AR11.
You will pay a huge (!) collectible premium, so to speak, for the AR3 or 3a compared to the Polks; probably some extra cost without added value for the 11, too (although, again, I can't say with much authority for that model).
You'll also almost certainly need a beefier amplifier (high current capacity and on the order of 200 watts per channel "for best results") for the ARs. It won't be worth it.

danixmen

thanks mhardy6647, that is a direct answer, without beating around the bush, hahaha I have read a lot about the greater balance of the 7 over the 10, although my ears do not notice any discomfort from having 2 6.5" drivers. Maybe comparing one side by side I would notice that difference. At home I cannot turn up the volume very high because of my neighbors, and when my family is at home the volume has to be very low. In this sense I value the bass of the 10B very much, which I always feel no matter the volume. In fact I ended up buying the 10B (before I had some HPM-40 that made my ears squeak) looking for information about speakers that had a powerful bass at low volume levels...the first discovery I made about them was Imperial 6 and these led me to the Polk 10, and coincidentally I had a local opportunity with the Polks, I went to hear them, I liked them and I bought them. I would have liked to have had the Perless, but everything can't be. I am Happy with the Polk: YES.
I have no complaints about the SL2000. I am 53 years old and perhaps my ears are no longer the same to appreciate the highs of the SL2000 (advantage or disadvantage?). I know that if I upgraded the 10B with the RDO194 and renewed the filters there would be an improvement, but how much improvement and at what price? The 10B cost me 300€... surely the upgrade costs the same, and if I ever had to resell them I would lose the cost of said investment. I am going to try to find someone local who has some 12" ARs and see if I can take my 10Bs and compare them in situ, I think that would be the best decision, a definitive decision to my doubt.
Thanks!

lawdogg

That would be a great idea, to listen to them both side to side.

I've had many pairs of Monitor 10s (and 7s) as well as AR3a and AR11 ... my memory is fuzzy but you mention low-volume bass, that was definitely a strength of the AR3a and AR11 compared to the Monitor 10 iirc.

F1nut

The 10B cost me 300€... surely the upgrade costs the same, and if I ever had to resell them I would lose the cost of said investment.

That flawed logic makes me laugh.

Gardenstater

Yeah. It's almost as if the added enjoyment you experience x all the years you experience it has absolutely no value.

F1nut

Ed Zachary!

TroyD

Buy speakers that sound best to you…..

That said, I’m with the Doctor here….in the Polk world, the 7’s are better than the 10’s. Full stop.

I personally love the classic AR sound. My HF hearing sucks so the rolled off treble is not a concern these days…..but from the midrange through the bass, many will maintain that the 3a has never been substantially outperformed. Not sure about that (personally I prefer the AR5 to the 3a) but they are some of the more musical speakers you’ll ever hear. The problem with any AR speaker is they are all long in the tooth…..new caps and Lpads are a must…

BDT

F1nut

Say it!

TroyD

HAAAAAARRRRRRR!!!