My Old Polk's

M12RTA
M12RTA Posts: 12
edited November 2006 in Vintage Speakers
I'm a original owner of Polk Model 12A (RTA). I purchased them new July 1981 and still use them today (along with 5JR purchased in 1988) as part of my home theater.. I'm curious since they are 25 years old how they compare with today's speakers... To me, they still sound nice and throw a big soundstage. They seem smooth, easy to listen to but the sub-woofer driver doesn't handle the lows like a separate sub can... It's amazing that I have had them half my life and they have lived with me in every apartment or house I ever lived in across at least six states from east coast to west coast and now in the middle... I wonder if I can really give them up as I'm tempted with all the cool looking (and much smaller) new stuff... So do I take them to the grave with me or donate them to some charity organization (to be abused by who knows) and move on ?
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  • whitetruk
    whitetruk Posts: 308
    edited November 2006
    i would keep them around,while you try new ones.that way you still have them,and the newer stuff is easier to ship with boxes,and in the end you still be happy with old polks.
    later,scott
    I thought it was fairly amusing also. The Polk Ogre doesn't always get 'it'
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited November 2006
    To my ears those sound better than anything at a Circuit City or Best Buy type of store.

    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
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  • BottomFeeder
    BottomFeeder Posts: 1,684
    edited November 2006
    From one newbie to another, welcome to the forum. My dad's had his for the same length of time and still absolutely loves his. I just swapped my Klipsch Forte's for a pair of RTA12C's, the last one of that model made, and I'm loving them.
    There are, doubtless, better speakers out there. But you'll find that people on this forum still hold them in high esteem - and these guys have listened to a lot! And it also seems that you'll be hard pressed to duplicate the sound of your 12's with some of today's little speakers.
    Anyway, I sure love mine.
    "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,341
    edited November 2006
    Welcome to the Club Polk Forums! I say keep the RTA's and the 5jrs. They compare more than favorably to most anything you can find for a reasonable price.

    Tell us more about your electronics! We'll have you spending money somewhere:D
    Carl

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  • Fireman32
    Fireman32 Posts: 4,845
    edited November 2006
    I have the RTA 12b's and the sound is awsome. I got them from my firend Lou (ohskigod) who used them in his setup for quite a while and then sold them to me and I will never part with them. There not in the best shape but again you cant beat the sound. I say keep them. If you do decide to sell them i'm sure someone here on the forum will take them off of your hands. Welcome to the forum.
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  • Libertyc
    Libertyc Posts: 915
    edited November 2006
    Donate them to me and I promise never to abuse them.

    PS - they are keepers.
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited November 2006
    yeah, I'm glad I sold my 12B's (for a pretty good price :) ) to dave. if I get nostalgic, I just slide on over to his pad and give them a listen.

    sound surprisengly good on 8 watts tube power in his small livingroom. I'll allways have a soft spot for those, as they were my first speaker bought in the used market, and really openned my eyes to how good speakers can be if you look in the right places.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2006
    M12RTA one post in three years??? :eek: ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • M12RTA
    M12RTA Posts: 12
    edited November 2006
    Thanks for the ideas.. Keeping them for now.. I registered years ago to this web site but never posted... I don't use a computer all that much... I'm running these Polks with a Sony ES Receiver acquired with a DVD Player about 5 years ago... Perhaps my kids will outgrow IPODS, Web Downloads, and little computer speakers to develop an interest. I guess it's just all old stuff to them...

    If I move and don't have the room for these, I'll drop another note... Seems like these things just won't "die" and give me the excuse to replace them...

    I recall when Polk was mentioned to me to check out as just a small start-up Company...

    Enjoy
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  • whitetruk
    whitetruk Posts: 308
    edited November 2006
    after reading above,you should stick around.heck after looking at club polk fest (feast) pic`s i wanna go.this place is full of info.and after meeting two people from here face to face,i`m a lifer(not milf)

    later scott
    I thought it was fairly amusing also. The Polk Ogre doesn't always get 'it'
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2006
    M12RTA,, hang on to them if you can... if you are itching to try something newer.. I'm not sure how much $$ it would run you to match or surpass the same sound as those vintage RTA's.

    You may want to consider replacing the tweeters and the crossover.. the crossover sits on top of the speaker.. so that would probably be a pretty easy upgrade. The tweeter upgrade/replacement is a really good one too..

    That may just be the push you need to make you realize your RTA's are worth keeping for another 25 yrs afterall.

    good luck.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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