RT20p speakers - sub problem

miner

The powered subs (2 8") on my RT20p has stopped working again. Why so many problems with this speaker? So far I have had 8" driver problems, 6" driver problems & amp problems. May now have to consider changing brands. For a $1900/pr speaker it has not held up well. How can I troubleshoot to see where the problem lies? Any comments welcomed.

Less than a year ago I had this same amp repaired - a loose wire/connection. Is this something I could attempt without having tho send in and wait 3-4 weeks for return? Please check repair orders and let me know what was done to the amp when it was last in for repair.

UPDATE: After turning off the amp and then back on it still did not work. After UNPLUGGING from wall socket and plugging back in it did work. Any explanation why this happened?

Tour2ma

Miner...

Sorry to hear of your Polk woes.

Call Ken Swaugger, Polk CS guru. He'll make it right.

You can get the toll-free number through the "Service and Parts" link at top of this page...

rt7s

Heh - I've had RT20P's since they came out and have always had issues with the MW8003's developing a death rattle- Polk gave me about 3 MW8003's and I've purchased 2 or 3 and now I need 2 more. I have always run these flat on multiple amps (now an HK) and never EVER overpowered these speakers or ran the amp out on them (given that I have a PSW1200 what would be the point in running them hard). Anyway the MW8003's keep melting down (This is probably a problem with the AMP's which always seem to pop on and off when you walk near them or shut a door etc.. None the less I see it as a good revenue stream for polk at $70 a whack:rolleyes:

miner

My RT20p have developed a problem AGAIN! Its the damn amp again. It won't turn on the 8" woofers. I had this amp repaired at no cost previously - a loose connection that need to be resoldered - took 4 weeks. I am beginning to become very disallusioned with Polk. For $1900 speakers I have had numerous problems but customer service has always been helpful. I am considering a sub/sat sytem. Any recomendations?

Tour2ma

Again, sorry to read of your woes... Call Ken again...

VR3

RT7 you might not be over-powering them....

But you are definetely under-powering them it sounds, and thats ALOT worse

Tour2ma

Thought crossed my mind as Sid, but underpowering is more often associated with tweeter failures than MW's... and should have zip to do with soldered connections coming apart...

miner

Well, Ken with customer service has come through again. With this type of service I will continue to use Polk Audio for my audio needs (home and car). Thanks again Ken.

doughboy

Same here. I've replaced the MW8003's on each speaker twice now. The speakers are shot again, and I'm debating if it's worth fixing. I might just put the money aside for some B&Ws. I've had the RT20P's for 8 years now, and I can say, honestly, I regret the purchase.

rt7s wrote:

Heh - I've had RT20P's since they came out and have always had issues with the MW8003's developing a death rattle- Polk gave me about 3 MW8003's and I've purchased 2 or 3 and now I need 2 more. I have always run these flat on multiple amps (now an HK) and never EVER overpowered these speakers or ran the amp out on them (given that I have a PSW1200 what would be the point in running them hard). Anyway the MW8003's keep melting down (This is probably a problem with the AMP's which always seem to pop on and off when you walk near them or shut a door etc.. None the less I see it as a good revenue stream for polk at $70 a whack:rolleyes:

miner

I replaced my RT20p with B&W 804 Nautilus floor standers ($1350 ea) and a B&W ASW800 sub ($1250) - both discontiued models. I had looked very closely at the LSi line of Polks but the B&W won out when comparing value for the dollar. The RT20p are now handed down to my son who was tickled to get them. BTW, I now drive my B&W with Rotel equipment - a preamp, amp & CD changer.

amanphoto

I bought a set of RT20P's a while ago from a Stereo store. I've used them for occasional music and surround sound. I power them with a Denon 85w receiver. I've replaced two of the subs in the first 3 years of use, and over time, I've replace all four of them along with a mid and a tweeter. It is now time again to replace a couple of the blown subs, and is past its' warranty. I don't feel like shelling out another $90 or so for each (mw8003) speaker. Obviously there is a design flow in the RT20P's that they blow. Read the posts.

No my question is.... Is there a replacement 8" sub I can use that will handle the power from it's own proprietary amp. Can I use a different model or manufacture? For an example - Can I put an 8" car sub into this enclosure? What are my options?

Thanks Rich

okiepolkie

Contact Polk customer service: polkcs@polkaudio.com or 800-377-7655

Ask for Ken Swauger and let him know you a polk club member.

Sorry that you have had so many problems with this particular model. As a whole, Polk has great customer service and will help you out as much as possible.

StopherJJ1980

I almost bought these speakers from ebay, but after reading the reviews of many other who have had experiences similar to yours I decided not to. I feel there is obviously something wrong with these that arent characteristic of Polk's other speakers.

amanphoto

I am looking for replacement speakers for my 8" subs. Once I removed them I noticed that they are wired in series. These sub are only 4 ohms each. When wired together in series they become 8 ohms. A car 8” sub will work in these boxes because they are 4 ohms.

doughboy

So, when I spoke to tech support at Polk Audio, and pointed out that several people are running into the same "death rattle" problem with their RT20Ps, as seen on this thread and on google searches, he just said that I should get another set/brand of speakers that suit my taste in music, or simply not to play my music loud. Hmm, I do tend to listen to Vivaldi and Mozart more than rap music. I guess the polks can't handle the violins. Maybe I should get receiver not as powerful as my Nakamichi Receiver 2.

okiepolkie wrote:

Contact Polk customer service: polkcs@polkaudio.com or 800-377-7655

Ask for Ken Swauger and let him know you a polk club member.

Sorry that you have had so many problems with this particular model. As a whole, Polk has great customer service and will help you out as much as possible.

Tour2ma

Problem so horrendous that you acted upon it 6 months after initially joining the "I've got a problem" chorus?

Don't you think all speakers have limits? Full symphony can bring most any speaker to its knees, let alone an entry level, powered tower.

With whom did you speak? Certainly doesn't sound like it was Ken. While I am hoping, that you are not reflecting the true tone of the conversation with Polk CS, I have to say that the advice is solid. Time for you to move on. Hopefully to more capable Polks, but if not, more capable somethings.

If on the other hand you are close to reflecting the true tone of the conversation, please call back and speak with Ken. If it was not he with whom you initially spoke, he needs to fix one of his group. If it was him, he needs to hear the impression he created.

I would suggest keeping your eyes open for a pair of Carver Amazings, especially the Originals (which I own) and the Platinums (which I have heard). They are flat out the best full symphony speaker I have heard. Not that I've heard everything out there, but for dymanics, pinpoint placement of instruments and sheer guts, they are at the top of my list. And with them floating on the used market for $1000 or less... no brainers.

Only issue you might have after bagging a pair would be the sweat pouring off of your Nak's brow...