Anyone ever listen to Monitor 12s???

geppy1

Has anyone had any experience with the Monitor 12s from the early 90s?? How do they compare sound wise to the early Monitor 10s and early RTA Monitor 12bs??? Thanks,keith

Joe08867

To me the sound was similar between the 10's and 12's but the 12's had alot more bottom end. Should go without saying on this one. I prefered the 10's myself.

12's to 12b's I don't know. Never heard them near each other or in the same time frame. I did like the tweeter in the 12b's from what I remember about them.

geppy1

Thanks for the reply. i like my Monitor 10s also as i have had them since 1983. I am now trying the RTA Monitor 12bs and i do like them. I think the Monitor 12s seem to be a shot in the dark so to speak.? I also have tried the SDA1 and SDA 2 and I just think they are to laid back and and lack depth and definition for me at least. The RTA12 seem to be the best balance of imaging and definition ect. Anyone else have an opinion on the early 90s Monitor 12s? There are two pairs on Ebay and i do not want to make a mistake. thanks,keith

cubdog

I own a pair of Monitor 12 Series 2. I use them for the mains in my HT. They do sound similar to 10s although I find the bass a bit boomy for 2 channel use.

cubdog

heiney9

Joe08867 wrote: »

To me the sound was similar between the 10's and 12's but the 12's had alot more bottom end. Should go without saying on this one. I prefered the 10's myself.

12's to 12b's I don't know. Never heard them near each other or in the same time frame. I did like the tweeter in the 12b's from what I remember about them.

Are you refering to RTA 12 and RTA 12b's? Those are different than the Monitor 12 and I don't believe the Monitor 12 ever had the "A,B,C" designation as they were only produced for a very short run.

Going on memory here but I believe the Monitor 12 was a series II monitor and had the sl2500 tweeter as the only tweeter. It was discontinued the same time the whole Monitor Series II was.

H9

heiney9

geppy1 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. i like my Monitor 10s also as i have had them since 1983. I am now trying the RTA Monitor 12bs and i do like them. I think the Monitor 12s seem to be a shot in the dark so to speak.? I also have tried the SDA1 and SDA 2 and I just think they are to laid back and and lack depth and definition for me at least. The RTA12 seem to be the best balance of imaging and definition ect. Anyone else have an opinion on the early 90s Monitor 12s? There are two pairs on Ebay and i do not want to make a mistake. thanks,keith

Houston we have a problem! SDA's too laid back, lacking depth and definition. That's the cornerstone of the design. If you are lacking in these area's you have issue's elsewhere, either equipment related or set-up related.

RTA 12's are a very good imaging speaker but are no match for a properly set-up pair of SDA's. Some may not prefer what the SDA's do, but I don't think you'll ever find anyone who states they lack depth and defintion.

Food for thought

H9

heiney9

Here would be my order of what you've mentioned

1) SDA 1 or 2
2) RTA 12
3) Monitor 10
4) Monitor 12

3 and 4 being interchangeable as they are similar, but the 12's have more bottom end if a bit less controlled.

H9

cubdog

heiney9 wrote: »

Going on memory here but I believe the Monitor 12 was a series II monitor and had the sl2500 tweeter as the only tweeter. It was discontinued the same time the whole Monitor Series II was.

H9

You have a good memory.

cubdog

geppy1

H9 makes good points. i have no equitment issues and the setup issue I am aware of is that a wall is to close to. That is not the problem. Stereo Review when reviewing the 1c outright makes the statement that the sound is slightly soft and does not come forward of the front of the speaker. They also point out that the definition is not as sharp as some convetional speakers. They did love them. Point being this is what i am hearing and have heard before. There is a very easy way to find out for me. I listen to a TV program through them, the RTA12s and the 10s.all at the same volume. It is much easier to hear what the actors are saying on the 10s and the 12s then the SDAs. Same on movie soundtracks. I listen mostly to music and hear it there also. It is not bad just different. It may even be more accurate. Better voiced? I do like them but must get used to it. I for sure notice that the louder they are the better they sound. I am not the only one as i have seen consumer reviews (even on this site) that mention these things and that they sound better turned up. We will have to see. thanks much for your thoughts as they help. keith