A Little RTA12 Help Please???
BottomFeeder
Posts: 1,684
Ever since getting my 12C's, I've had to turn the balance to about 2:00 in order to center the sound. I have all new NAD electronics, so I've not looked there. What I've blamed was the fact that the right speaker is right next to a doorway, my thinking being that some of the sound that would ordinarily reflect off of a wall had there been one, simply goes out the doorway, requiring the balance adjustment. But Danger Boy suggested that this shouldn't really be much of a problem, so I need to look elsewhere.
When I unpacked the speakers, I noticed that the "Right Channel" sticker had fallen off and the "Left Channel" sticker was loose. I've wondered if somehow whomever packed them put the stickers on the wrong speakers, so, on a whim, I put the "Left Channel" speaker on the right and the presumably "Right Channel" speaker on the left, crossed my fingers and fired up the NAD.
Bingo, the music was centered! Problem solved? I want to be sure! So here's my question (you knew I'd get to it eventually): is there another way, other than looking at stickers and other than trusting your ears, to tell which speaker should be on the left/right???
Can you help a newbie brother out?
When I unpacked the speakers, I noticed that the "Right Channel" sticker had fallen off and the "Left Channel" sticker was loose. I've wondered if somehow whomever packed them put the stickers on the wrong speakers, so, on a whim, I put the "Left Channel" speaker on the right and the presumably "Right Channel" speaker on the left, crossed my fingers and fired up the NAD.
Bingo, the music was centered! Problem solved? I want to be sure! So here's my question (you knew I'd get to it eventually): is there another way, other than looking at stickers and other than trusting your ears, to tell which speaker should be on the left/right???
Can you help a newbie brother out?
"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
Post edited by BottomFeeder on
Comments
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I can't think of any reason why it would matter which speaker you had on the left or right with that model, they are exactly the same. I could see the room placement causing a problem with balance, but you say that now the balance issue is resolved....interesting. You might want to check that both mid drivers in the right speaker, now the left speaker are working. If one is bad causing a weaker output and the now right speaker, old left speaker has both working and factoring in the room issue, that may result in the now balanced soundstage.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Thanks for responding, F1nut! I wasn't sure if which speaker went where mattered, but if it doesn't, why are they marked left/right?
Also, how can I tell if both mid drivers are working properly? You're dealing with a complete amateur here.
Thanks loads for your help."Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger -
Jesse (F1nut) is correct... but i've also seen left and right stickers on other models of Polk speakers... other versions of RTA's, (11's, 15's) and even one pair of Monitor 10's. I found that odd... since as Jesse said.. those models don't require the speakers to be a left or right placement.
But glad you got the center problem worked out.. i'm sure they image better now too. enjoy.PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
I'm not sure why they marked them left and right, maybe because people like to see that kinda info.
Remove one driver from the cabinet, play something and listen. If that one driver makes sound, repeat the test with the other driver.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Thank you! I'll check into it."Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
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I thought that they were mirror imaged for a reason, but I can't recall why.
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 -
F1nut wrote:I'm not sure why they marked them left and right, maybe because people like to see that kinda info.
I just looked closer and found that each speaker has a serial number strip on the back of each and, lo and behold, the speaker marked with the "Left Speaker" sticker, has a serial number that begins with "L" and, you guessed it, the "Right Speaker" has a serial number that begins with "R."
Loud & Clear seemed to think they were marked for a reason. Any chance that they really are supposed to be specifically placed, and that they might have placed all the stickers incorrectly?
If you're sure, I'll stop barking up this tree and start pulling drivers. Thanks for your help!"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger -
Okay, so I pulled the mid drivers and they're working.
Just to make sure, I swapped the speakers around again and I still hear the difference.
Any more ideas?"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger -
I'm 100% positive that left & right doesn't make any difference with those speakers. As to your problem, I'm stumped.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
What? You, the famous F1nut, at who's audio feet everyone, well, at least I, bow?
Well, then I'll just enjoy my speakers, which sound even better now that I've put the left on the right etc. Danger Boy will be coming over soon so maybe he can shed some light on my audio conundrum. Thanks very much for your time.
P.S. You're still on the pedestal.
"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger -
Just let me know when i can come over and take in the RTA12's.. i'm anxious to get to hear them.
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
Are the serial numbers the same, except for the R & L?
Maybe they are mirrored pairs... -
The serial numbers are:amulford wrote:Are the serial numbers the same, except for the R & L?
Maybe they are mirrored pairs...
L12C 21863
R12C 21775
Does that tell you anything?
What does "mirrored pairs" mean?
Thanks for trying to help!"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger -
It tells me that they are Polk speakers.
Mirrored pairs are speakers like the SDA's or LSi's, where the driver configuration of one speaker is the opposite of the other speaker. None of the RTA series are mirrored pairs.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I found two more RTA12's on Ebay tonight labled Left Channel and Right Channel again. there must be something to this I never knew this about the RTA12's. Maybe a few others in here didn't know as well.PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
I have some RTA 12's that were built before revision 12a. The cabinets do not have right/left stickers nor "R" or "L" preceding the serial numbers like later models. I do not hear a difference when they are swapped.
The RTA 12c manual mentions mirror imaging but I think this may also apply to some 12b versions. The schematics are interesting. Inner drivers are connected to the black wires. The right and left outer drivers get the blue wires.
Scroll down to post #2 RTA(Real Time Array) SERIES - VINTAGE
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38755
RTA 12b pdf's
Check out the biamp option.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=18711
RTA 12c manual
http://www.polkaudio.com/downloads/manuals/home/12CManual.pdf -
page 9 (near the middle)
1985 Polk Audio Complete Sales Catalog (2.3.MB) -
Well I'll be dipped! Good to know.
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So...should it matter if I've got the "Left" marked speaker on the right and vice versa? Both DangerBoy and I liked'em that way.
Help me!!!"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger -
Well damn Steve, looks like I learned something too.
Bottom, if they sound better like that, I'd have to say leave them that way.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Polk65 wrote:The schematics are interesting. Inner drivers are connected to the black wires. The right and left outer drivers get the blue wires.
Scroll down to post #2 RTA(Real Time Array) SERIES - VINTAGE
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38755
RTA 12b pdf's
Bottom, have you checked the wiring? -
Talked with Ken Swauger and he thinks something's amiss. He's got a theory that begins with swapping my crossovers and procedes from there. Will do that and post the results.
Thanks for your help, folks!
P.S. Ken confirmed that the RTA12's are NOT mirrored, so it doesn't matter which side they're on. Now we can put that question to rest!"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger -
Ken confirmed that the RTA12's are NOT mirrored
I told ya.:)Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I agree with Polk65, I looked at the revised RTA 12b pdf. If I am reading it correctly, that is a 2.5 cross-over, with the .5 driver on the outside.Win7 Media Center -> Onkyo TXSR702 -> Polk Rti70
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I reviewed things a little more, and here is my summary:
- the RTA 12 is not mirrored, according to Ken and the xover schematic
- the RTA 12b is mirrored, according to the xover schematics
- the RTA 12c is mirrored, according to the instruction manualWin7 Media Center -> Onkyo TXSR702 -> Polk Rti70 -
I think BottomFeeder has RTA 12B's if i'm not mistaken.. so they MAY be mirrored after all. I've seen and heard them for myself.. they sound really good to me.. after he swapped the left and right speakers.. even though they are labled **** backwards. They do sound really good as I said. I underestimated the RTA12's
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
Hi guys. Thanks for continuing to try to help me!
Danger Dude: I have the RTA12C's, not B's, and I'm glad they sound great to you. Having very little speaker listening experience, it's good to know I've scored some great speaks. Thanks.
TheReaper: Don't know what to say: you say the instruction manual says the 12C's are mirrored and Ken Swauger says they aren't. In fact, he says none of the RTA12's are mirrored. Ach well! It's enough to drive a guy crazy but, at the end of the day, I'm diggin' my 12C's!"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger -
Hmmmm...here's another thought: Maybe Ken Swauger is wrong (is that possible???:eek:) If the 12C's are, indeed, mirrored, maybe they labled them backasswards at the factory, as Danger mentioned? As he says, they sound great, and I've got the left speak on the right etc.
I'll call Ken again on Monday and recheck. I really appreciate your looking into this, Reaper!
We'll get it right someday!"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
