What can you guys tell me about the RTA 12B?

billbillw
billbillw Posts: 6,842
edited December 2005 in Vintage Speakers
How much better sounding are these compared to the Monitor 10?
How would they compare to the RTA 11T?
Was Polk using wood veneer, vinyl laminant, or what during this time?
Found a local pair and trying to decide if they are worth checking out and what kind of price these are worth.
For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
Post edited by billbillw on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2005
    They sound better than either model in regards to soundstage and presentation. They are in stock form, vinyl.

    If they are cheap, buy them. The SL1000 version poses a future problem of upgradeability and replacement so I usually pass on them...if it has a SL2000, you're golden. They may even be Peerless as this whole model line was all over the place in specifications and driver compliment. Peerless tweeters would be viable, but again, future replacement problems.

    $0-350, depending upon condition and original accesories.

    Good luck.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited December 2005
    +1... Definitely worth checking out. Very engaging speaker with the proper placement.

    Good price range above. I have about a half dozen pieces of ebay data. One hit $349 on a BIN (excellent looking). Most went in the $150 - 200 area. One pair with a couple issues went for $112.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,842
    edited December 2005
    The guy is asking $250. Based on his account of the tweeters being black domes, I expect they are Peerless. Sounds like his father was the original owner, now he inherited them, but his wife thinks they are too big. He even offered to bring them to my house to hook them up to my stereo for a listen. Tempting, but space is an issue for me too (along with my wife not wanting anymore gear in the house).
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited December 2005
    I'd say, "bring 'em over."
    Tell him you'd love to help him bring them in, but you hurt your back.
    Once they're in the house start negotiating...
    :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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited December 2005
    My opinion is that someone very lucky will get them, whether or not it's you is up to you. I've owned the RT800is and I think the RTA12Bs are twice the speaker, fwiw.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,842
    edited December 2005
    The RT800i are in my home theater and are not going anywhere. I realize they are not Polks best effort, but in a matched HT setup, they are pretty fricking good!

    I'm going to have to stall the seller until after Christmas. Right now, my wife would flip out seeing a new pair of speakers in the house. She will be much more open after all the presents are bought and paid for.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited December 2005
    Would she buy the "Santa must have brought them" line?
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter