Polk Audio - Monitor Series - Stands - Reference

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dorokusai
dorokusai Posts: 25,576
edited August 2014 in Vintage Speakers
Here are pictures and dimensions of, one version, of the original Monitor 5/ 7/ 10 "Polkstand" speaker stand.

Try to keep the thread clean, and post only related information if at all possible.

This would be considered the later version, i.e Mon10A+. I will get the "Polkstand Assembly Instructions" scanned into PDF and post them later. I will manually input them for your reading pleasure.

Instructions:

2 Bases (wood - PB - vinyl) 15 5/8" w x 13 5/8 d x 1 1/8" h
2 Columns (wood - PB - vinyl) 5" w x 5" d x 7 1/2" h
2 Tops (metal - stamped) 8" w x 8 5/8" d x 1/8" h + 6 degree tilt
2 Bolts (8 1/4" x 1/4")
1 Package of screws (#6 - 5/8")

Assemble each stand, per the diagram, in the following manner:

A. Insert the bolt through the hole in the top.

B. Holding the column an inch or two above the base, set the top in position on the column.

C. Locate the bolt in the holein the base, then locate the column in the groove in the base.

D. Tighten the bolt using a screwdriver, any U.S. coin will do. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.


The inside of the pamphlet includes a template for securing the stand to the aforementioned Monitor models. It is 11x17. If you would like a FREE photocopy of this, contact me directly.

Here is an additional notation from the inside.

Template

For additional security, you may permanently fasten the stand to your loudspeaker using four #6 - 5/8" self tapping screws provided. (This is particularly recommended if you have young, clumsy children). In order to mount the stand permanently to your speaker, proceed as follows:

A. Position the template in the correct position on the bottom of the speaker. Fold over the sides and hold in place with small pieces of tape.

B. Use the nail provided to make a pilot hole about 1/8" deep at each of the four locations indicated on teh template, then remove the template.

C. Mount the assembled stand to the speaker with four #6 - 5/8" self tapping screws.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD A LONGER SCREW THAN 5/8" BE USED, NOR SHOULD ANY HOLES BE DRILLED IN THE SPEAKER CABINET.


End Reference.
CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
Post edited by dorokusai on
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited December 2004
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    Assembled.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited December 2004
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    Assembled, Top view.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited December 2004
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    Assembled, Bottom View.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • KCF
    KCF Posts: 58
    edited December 2004
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    Gee, thanks Doro, If I were a handier guy, I could make 'em from these photos and the odd bits of wood and metal. Very thorough! As it is, I'll probably see if I can comission the bro-in-law.

    These look somewhat different from the posted photos of Russ' units... perhaps these are earlier..

    At any rate, muchasitas gracias!

    K.
  • waylyn5945
    waylyn5945 Posts: 18
    edited January 2005
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    Can these be purchased through Polk - at least the stamped metal pieces?
    Wayno
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited January 2005
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    No.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,722
    edited April 2005
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    Mark (or anyone else for that matter), can we (me) get more details on the stamped metal piece?

    So with the 3 degree tilt, I assume the speaker is meant to tilt back just a bit? I've looked at pics on the bay and on the www.polksda.com website, but it's hard to tell from those...but I seem to remember pics where the speaker is angling up just a bit. If the speaker does not tilt, then why the 3 degree tilt?

    On the metal top, there's a flat top surface with a square section in the middle, what re the dimensions of that section, or is it important? So does the bottom of that interior square sit flush against the top of the columns with the flat top piece angling dwn from back to front, or does the flat top piece rest of the top of the columns with that interior square resting inside the column cavity, angling down inside the cavity itself?

    From what I'm seeing and thinking, it has to be the first of the two options above, as I don't see how the latter would do anything in terms of tilting the speaker.

    Sorry for my ignorance on this issue, but I've never seen a pair of these. I'm having trouble picturing how it all fits together. Is there any bracket or anything of the like on the speaker itself that one uses to attach it to the stand?

    If you don't wanna try and explain all this, I can probably get what I need with just a few more close up pictures...

    Thanks for putting this together.
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited April 2005
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    The stamped metal bracket is what determines the angle....and the angle is what creates the "Poor Man's" time alignment. Yes, it is MEANT to be this way..

    The purpose of the stand was to create a more accurate soundstage by alignment of the voice coils(Time Alignment)....and even more importantly, get the tweeter to an average height for the listener.

    You're thinking too much about it. The inner surface of the stock bracket is stamped, and hence what creates the upward angle.

    You can achieve this same effect if you cut your base pillar or column at an angle....this eliminates the need for an angled bracket. It's only 3-4 degrees, so it's easy to replicate with use of a mitre saw or even a table saw, by use of a mitre adjustment square.

    The original stand would be attached to the speaker by use of screws. There is a template involved which I will scan into the thread. I had meant to do this earlier, but forgot until your recent inquiry.

    Don't worry about the questions, just ask silly.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited April 2005
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    Okay, a few questions:

    For the sake of time and ease of assembly, would it be okay to use two 2x4's stuck together for the column? That would make it more or less 4x4...

    Also, since we're deviating from the original plans to cut the column to get the 3 degrees, should the column height be measured beforehand, and just not worry about any height lost by cutting the angle off the top?

    There's no way I'm driving screws into the bottom of my monitor 10's, so I'm thinking it'll just be a friction hold, maybe using that kitchen drawer rubbery stuff that keeps stuff from sliding around. I'm not worried about knocking them over, because they'll be in a well-protected area.

    Thanks,

    Noah
    Ludicrous gibs!
  • deadhead
    deadhead Posts: 19
    edited April 2005
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    Looks like you could rob parts from an office chair to get a similar mechanism.
    tsa7.jpg
    SVS PB10 ISD . Pioneer VSX-1015K
    Monitor 10B . CS400i . Monitor 10B
    FX500i . . . . . . . . . . . . FX500i
    R15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R15
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited April 2005
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    Yeah... and tilt it to accomodate chair, floor or ceiling listening.. :D
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited August 2006
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    Here are mhardy6647's original, Version 1, Polkstands....I believe I said I would add these a year ago....man, I'm slow.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited August 2006
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    Here's some 10As with original stands. I'll try to break them out of storage to get some better angles.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
  • Polk65
    Polk65 Posts: 1,405
    edited October 2006
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    Is there a larger schematic other than the teeny-weeny-its-a-bikini thumbnail? I can read but pictures are my friend.
  • phono2
    phono2 Posts: 19
    edited October 2006
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    Here is information I got directly from Polk, when I asked about geometry of the Polk stands for the Model 10 from the Monitor Series (later to be referred to as simply Monitor 10's):

    They were 11" high and had a 6 degree backwards tilt.

    It looks tantilizingly simple to do, though for me the end result has to look civilized enough for a living room. And it can't sway from side to side - I have nightmare visions of those big heavy 10's crashing sideways.
  • BaggedLancer
    BaggedLancer Posts: 6,371
    edited October 2006
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    Wow, id love those for my monitor 10s and 5s. Only problem is i have ZERO talent when it comes to building something so i'd be afraid of my speakers falling on the floor.

    I was in demolition for 3 years, so im fully capable of destroying anything, but I never got into the rebuilding part of it :)
  • cruisaire
    cruisaire Posts: 5
    edited December 2006
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    dorokusai wrote:
    Here are mhardy6647's original, Version 1, Polkstands....I believe I said I would add these a year ago....man, I'm slow.


    Can someone kindly "unlock" Mark's pics and diagrams? My eyes are bad enough already, I can't make that stuff out as is.

    Thanks!
  • Polk65
    Polk65 Posts: 1,405
    edited January 2007
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited June 2007
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    I'm not sure why the pics won't load up for you....lets try this.

    They always lock. I'll try and find out why.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • BaggedLancer
    BaggedLancer Posts: 6,371
    edited June 2007
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    going to the previous link works for some reason

    weird...
  • jon s
    jon s Posts: 905
    edited June 2008
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    Here is a link to a drawing I made of the Polk Monitor stands... I think it is accurate, but if you guys find any errors, let me know...

    I found one discrepancy... the front height of 4" cannot be accurate if the height of the column is 3 7/8"...
    I now found that the angle of the tilt should be 6 degrees... so if yu set if at that, you shud be okay...

    also, on some browsers, you have to right click the link and download the file...

    The attachment PDF file has been updated with more accurate numbers but the figures may be a bit off...
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited June 2008
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    Drawing.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2009
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    Awesome...Thanks for putting this all together Doro. I just picked up some Monitor 7's today, but without any stands. Looks like I'm going to have to make some myself, cuz I can't seem to find anywhere to buy them.

    I'll post back with my results when I'm done...it may be a while though.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
  • jlewand
    jlewand Posts: 5
    edited January 2009
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    I have 7 of my original 8 "screws" that thread into the bottom of the footer to "bite" carpet. I'd love to have someone provide me one more so I can use the original 7. I had to rig something as I am on carpet now at my current house (vs. hardwood at previous).
  • Russ_L
    Russ_L Posts: 30
    edited January 2009
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    As I posted last week I was going to look this past weekend at two pairs of Model 10s for sale locally. The owner however was on vacation and just got back yesterday. I’ll be looking at the speakers this Saturday. I did not ask but I’m certain they have stands. I’ll post pictures next week, the 10s and the stands.

    Russ
  • Rev. Hayes
    Rev. Hayes Posts: 475
    edited September 2010
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    Labor day weekend seemed like a good time to take on this project.

    I learned a few lessons.

    A couple pics and I'll say more tomorrow....

    speaker stands 002.jpg


    speaker stands 006.jpg
    Sounds good to me...
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited September 2010
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    Looking good Rev.!

    Thanks for bringing this thread back...I may have to deal with this myself?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2010
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    How about making this a sticky?
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited September 2010
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    attached is a 10B stand for reference from about 1983...it is fiberboard(?)...and pretty cheap though they have held together for 27 years.

    The angle is about 4 degrees from my rough measurement.
  • Rev. Hayes
    Rev. Hayes Posts: 475
    edited September 2010
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    First off thanks to Doro and mhardy and others for providing the excellent measurements and photo's of the original stands.

    I chose not to go for the described 11" versions as I have a 13 month old daughter and those things scared the crap out of me just looking at the picture.





    Using 3/4" birch plywood I ripped both the sides and the tops at the same time as the 12 7/8" dimension is shared by both pieces. This saves on plywood since you can get enough for a set out of a single 4' rip.

    [NOTE] This does make the grain of the top and bottom go in perpendicular directions if that matters to you.

    I had an 8' x 30 something inch drop left over from an old job so I made two sets. (Keep an eye out in the clubhouse for some up-coming Karma)

    I then made a 4" rip for the "riser" because I just wasn't sure yet about the angle of the incline. There were quite a few angles thrown out there early in this thread. So to make it clear for everyone else:

    If you use the numbers provided in the pdf the angle of your bevel will be 6 degrees.

    That said, when I went to cut the sides of the "riser" I cut them to the proper 4" length, dummied them up with the face and back and then marked the points of intersection. If you are familiar with miter saws then you likely already know that the gradations and indicators on these tools will lie to you and always at the worst times.

    Once I was satisfied that all the pieces fit together I glued and brad nailed the "riser."

    The tops and bottoms I decided to beef up a bit and added 1x ripped to 1" as a picture frame. This also allowed me to add rubber feet to the bottom and still have the stands appear to sit flat on the floor.

    To make the stands look somewhat like the originals I stained the riser with Minwax red mahogany (a close match to the rosewood vinyl when applied to birch). The top and bottom got ebony stain. In the end I almost wish I had just painted the top and bottom black. I had never used ebony stain and I thought the extra wood grain would make it look cool. Perhaps with 8 more coats of the stain it would have come out better but, well......

    Two coats of brushed on polyurethane (I HATE WORKING WITH THAT STUFF!!!) and 48 hours later I was ready to assemble. I glued and screwed the riser to the base but only glued and brad nailed the top down so you wouldn't see the heads (on those few occasions when you didn't have speakers on them that is :p).

    They seem very sturdy and...... well it's too soon to talk about sound improvement.

    Anyway they look great and beat the heck out of the old Latin textbooks I was propping them up with to "time align"

    I think the boxy vinyl clad Monitor 10's score at least 4.5 bonus WAF points while on these stands.

    It's a shame the originals were made from particle board and have nearly all disintegrated. Thanks to the good people at Club Polk my Monitors are once again sittin' pretty in the classic style.

    :cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::D:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
    Sounds good to me...