monitor 10 or 12

cdc
cdc Posts: 8
edited January 2006 in Vintage Speakers
I have a pair of Polk Audio speakers bought circa mid '80s. I can't remember if they were 10s or 12s. It had a tweeter mounted on the top of the speaker in a separate open air enclosure and recessed ralative to the plane of the rest of the speaker array (2 side by side 6 1/2" mids and a passive woofer?). The layout is similar to the 10s except for the tweeter placement and that it is floor standing.

The pictures of monitor 12s that I have seen recently shows a floor standing speaker with the recessed tweeter in a separate enclosure but it has a 4 speaker array above the woofer where I only have 2 speaker mid range array.

I seems like a cross between the 10 and 12. Maybe an early version of the 12?

BTW what center speaker, rear surround and sub would be a good match for my Polks.

cdc
Post edited by cdc on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited January 2006
    You have the RTA-12 :). Slightly different than the monitor series, the RTA-12 was the only one to use those exposed tweeter/crossover dealies. I think it'd be fun to put together a full vintage HT with those speakers. Use them as the mains, some Monitor 5's as the rear surrounds, and pick up something shielded for center channel use.

    Right now, my brother has a system with Monitor 10's at the front, the cheapy R15's as rear surrounds, and a CSi3 as the center. Doesn't sound bad at all!
    Ludicrous gibs!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cdc
    cdc Posts: 8
    edited January 2006
    I found a brochure of the old polks but the picture of the RTA 12c was slightly different so I was not sure. Thanks for confirming that they are 12s. I remember now that I was looking to buy the monitor 10 but was eventually persuaded to buy the RTA 12 as it was an upgrage to the 10. The SDAs came out after my purchase or sometime around that time but was at that time way over my budget seeing as how I already stretched it with the 12. I had also gotten NAD separates: power amp, preamp and tuner and a Nakamichi BX300. which all together broke the bank. But nearly 20 years later they still work well together. I recently moved so I have not had the time to set them up again but I suspect they are still working except for the NAK which needs refurbishing if only to keep it working even if I don't use it anymore.

    Sometime back I bought a Yamaha A2070 receiver (cause I bought into their 7.1 version of surround sound)and a CS 250S as a center channel along with polk surround speakers (like the ones that could be hung outdoors) and a 100W yamaha 10 inch sub. I was later told that the 350 would have been a better match. I was not able to compare. Anyway, these were all just to watch movies.
    For music, I still just did 2ch stereo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joelll
    joelll Posts: 120
    edited January 2006
    I have a pair of RTA-12's, and like them a lot. They were also called Monitor 12 in some literature, and I have one pamphlet that uses both names on different pages. Around here they're usually referred to as RTA-12 to avoid confusion with the later Monitor 12 speakers.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cdc
    cdc Posts: 8
    edited January 2006
    It seems from the postings that monitor 10s and SDAs get a lot of ink. I wonder how many of the folks around here have or had RTA 12. just curious.

    BTW, I have not done any repairs to my 12s. Have others changed tweeters/crossovers? how long have you had yours and how has it held up.

    Mine were bought new and do not have a scratch on them although I am missing a couple of plastic locator pins for the hat despite four moves in 20 years.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gyusher
    gyusher Posts: 77
    edited January 2006
    I just bought a mint pair of Monitor 10s. I love the energy I now have using them as front mains. I look forward to completing this system using some version of this speaker.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited January 2006
    Not many people have the RTA-12's, I don't think they were produced for very long. That doesn't mean they're a bad speaker :). Polk has a pair in their hallway of Polk History at HQ-

    tn_med_100_0698.jpg

    Two different speakers there (look at the finishes) but still... if Polk like's 'em enough to put them in their HQ... :D
    Ludicrous gibs!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited January 2006
    Most know the Monitor series fathered the RTA series of speakers. However, it was under the name of the Monitor series, the Monitor 12B, that the top-hat models first appeared. Then there was the lesser known Monitor 11 that most closely resembles the RTA series 12C.

    I'll load up shots of:
    A 1981 Monitor 12B (next to a Mon-10)
    A 1982 Monitor 11 (next to a Mon-10B)
    A 1983 RTA12C (next to a Mon-10B)

    All have the spec sheets too. Notice:

    The Mon-12B is next to a Mon-10 pre Silver coil tweeter days.
    The Mon-12B is 39"H and 75lbs but the Mon-11 is only 33 3/4''H and 60lbs.
    The Mon-11 is shown next to a Mon-10B now with Silver Coil tweeter.
    The RTA12C is also 39"H and 75lbs and shown next to a SL equiped Mon-10B.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited January 2006
    I guess this one got lost in the upload. The 1981 Monitor 12B
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited January 2006
    In my first post I should have stated that the Monitor 11 most closely resembles the top-hat on the RTA12C but not in size. The original Monitor 12B although haveing a different top-hat resembles the RTA12C in size.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited January 2006
    Wow, I was not aware that a Monitor 12b had the tophat design. What are the differences, then?
    Ludicrous gibs!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited January 2006
    nadams wrote:
    Wow, I was not aware that a Monitor 12b had the tophat design. What are the differences, then?


    Right off the top of my head at least the tweeters are different along with the top-hat design.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited January 2006
    Also notice the Mon-11 is only recommended to 200w like the Mon-10s where as the Mon-12B and RTA12C go to 500w.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited January 2006
    I guess looking at the big picture the Monitor 11 is close to the Monitor 10 in size and weight and power handling so it is like a cross between a Mon-10 and a RTA12C.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited January 2006
    BobMcG wrote:
    In my first post I should have stated that the Monitor 11 most closely resembles the top-hat on the RTA12C but not in size. The original Monitor 12B although haveing a different top-hat resembles the RTA12C in size.

    DAMN! I'm confused now. My Monitor 11s do not have a top mounted crossover/tweeter, and are the exact same cabinet dimensions as the RTA-12Cs. In fact, I have them stored in the 12Cs original packing inserts and cartons until Bruce picks them up. They also have Peerless tweeters. :confused:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12925
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited January 2006
    To make it even more confusing, the final revision of the Monitor 12 (Series 2) had four midrange drivers and a standard cabinet with the tweeter inside. That's the only one listed on Polk's Parts List... And on www.polksda.com, the only pictures of Monitor 12's are that of the ones with 4 drivers. Bet that speaker was an absolute beast!
    Ludicrous gibs!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited January 2006
    Yup, have a booklet on the Monitor Series 2 also (reproduction). The Mon-12-S2 uses the SL2500 and looks kinda like it's a somewhat smaller non-SDA-1C with little feet.

    Mike, I have to guess that your Monitor 11 is an earlier one than the one I have posted, pre-1981?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited January 2006
    It looks as though the Monitor 12 on the SDA site you linked to is indeed a late model Monitor 12 Series 2 without the earlier (?) small feet.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cdc
    cdc Posts: 8
    edited January 2006
    Thanks for the info and pictures.

    nadams: are those RTA12s (b or c) in the pic? what year? How tall? They have stands?

    BobMcG: The comparisons and pictures especially side by side are much appreciated. The pictures tell me that my polks are RTA 12c certainly bought new sometime after 1983. Let me pick your (or other's) brain some more.

    What year did the SDAs first come out?

    When did the RTA 12 series 2 come out?

    BTW, I am reliving those days when my polks were new. cool.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited January 2006
    I've got the the Monitor 12 series 2 with 4 midranges, SL2500. They don't have feet, but instead have angled wooden rails that create the same angle that the stands for the 10s came with did. Of course the RTA 12 is completely different. Prefer the RTA 12s myself.

    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
  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited January 2006
    As far as I know:

    The SDAs first arrived on the scene in 1982 with the SDA-1 @ $2,000 a pair.

    The RTA (Monitor) Series 2 I'm not sure of. My information for them isn't dated. (Sound of me kicking self in the a** for that little slip up.) Early '90s sometime. It looks like after the 1990 season. I don't have them listed before that.

    My list for 1987 shows the RTA 12C Monitor.
    " " '88 " " RTA 12C Monitor & RTA 11T Monitor.
    " " '89 " " RTA 11T Monitor & RTA 8T Monitor. (No 12s.)
    " " '90 " " RTA 11T Monitor & RTA 8T Monitor. (No 12s.)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2006
    Loud & Clear wrote:
    Prefer the RTA 12s myself.

    AMEN.
    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
  • joelll
    joelll Posts: 120
    edited January 2006
    Hm... what an array of models...

    I have a pair of RTA-12 (original series) built in 1979. The first top-hat design used an MDF base and a wire frame with grille cloth stretched over it that was positioned by two shiny steel pins. Link to pictures:
    http://www.genericdomain.net/~joelll/polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,842
    edited January 2006
    I think most of the confusion comes from Polk lumping those early RTA sepakers into the Monitor series and calling them Monitor 12 in the brochures. They were really all RTA 12 whether they are A, B, or C.

    These days, Polk refers to them all as RTA-12, not Monitor 12
    If you look at the pages for Monitor Series and RTA series on the old Club Polk parts page ( http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/service/models/ ), you will see that there is only one Monitor 12 listed and its the one with four mids and one tweeter. Likewise, in the RTA section, Polk lists RTA 12A, 12B, and 12C.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,842
    edited January 2006
    joelll wrote:
    Hm... what an array of models...

    I have a pair of RTA-12 (original series) built in 1979. The first top-hat design used an MDF base and a wire frame with grille cloth stretched over it that was positioned by two shiny steel pins. Link to pictures:
    http://www.genericdomain.net/~joelll/polk

    Nice looking pair. I especially like the speaker stands :p <jk>
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joelll
    joelll Posts: 120
    edited January 2006
    billbillw wrote:
    Nice looking pair. I especially like the speaker stands :p <jk>

    Those are the very finest in plastic milk-crates, heavyweight plastic with a metal stiffener around the open end. They deepen the bass, widen the soundstage, expand the sweet spot, improve the imaging, and build strong bones and teeth. :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited January 2006
    They're also illegal to use other than intended :o
    Ludicrous gibs!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joelll
    joelll Posts: 120
    edited January 2006
    nadams wrote:
    They're also illegal to use other than intended :o

    Yes, but the metal-rimmed ones are no longer used. They have markings from the late 1960s.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter