Polk Audio Monitor 11 Problems

426hemi
426hemi Posts: 12
edited November 2007 in Speakers
Hi, I have recently picked up a pair of Monitor 11 speakers (I think that's what they are). They aren't the typical monitor 11s as they have the 12 inch flat radiators and bigger boxes. See pictures and you'll know what I mean. I've been told they are the Monitor R.T.A. 11 series by several people. They have the typical shifted magnets on 3 of the 4 woofers. I have made a "magnet jig" that was posted on another speaker forum and tried to repair them. The jig is a really simple and cheap device that people have had luck with. But not me :mad: . I've tried about a million times just to repair one woofer and it's always just a little off center too much. Does anyone have any advice on how to repair these or should I just save (or sell other equipment) to buy new replacements? Any help would be appreciated.
Post edited by 426hemi on
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Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,779
    edited November 2007
    They are typical Monitor 11's, no RT, which are a nice and somewhat rare Polk speaker. If I were you, I'd buy all new drivers and be done with it. While you're messing around, clean the fuse ends and the fuse holder clips.
    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

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2007
    Jesse - I think he meant RTA. Aren't those are the ones that have the docs calling them RTA11's for some unknown reason?

    That "magnet jig" is a crock. You should either look for vintage drivers or decide how much they are worth to you and pick up some replacements.
    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.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,779
    edited November 2007
    Got ya. You know, they might have RTA on the model plate. I'll look at my father's the next I'm up there. I know the schematics say Monitor 11 only.
    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

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2007
    The schematics were drawn by the folks that weren't as stoned as the assembly line.
    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.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,779
    edited November 2007
    LOL......no doubt!
    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

  • 426hemi
    426hemi Posts: 12
    edited November 2007
    These are the RTA 11's for sure. Just found confirmation on Polk SDA's website. Look for yourselves here:

    http://www.polksda.com/ebay/Monitor11_5835330716.pdf

    Note the 12 inch flat passive-radiator; not the 10 inch that was in the standard Monitor 10 and 11s. Also notice the extra 6 or 8 inches below where the grill ends? Bigger cabinets than 10 or standard 11s. Why they made this in-between model, I'll never know but I know they were getting better bass with the bigger cabinet volume and bigger radiator.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,779
    edited November 2007
    You're getting confused. There is only one Monitor (RTA) 11 model, the one with the 12" PR. There never was a "standard" Monitor 11 with a 10" PR.
    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

  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited November 2007
    The answer to your question...LINK

    Or, if you prefer, one of many threads on this subject...LINK
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
  • 426hemi
    426hemi Posts: 12
    edited November 2007
    F1nut wrote: »
    You're getting confused. There is only one Monitor (RTA) 11 model, the one with the 12" PR. There never was a "standard" Monitor 11 with a 10" PR.

    Well, I'm not trying to "step on your toes" but yes there was a so-called standard Model 11 and then there was the R.T.A. 11 Reference Monitoring System. The standard Monitor 11 had a 10 inch passive radiator, different model mid/woofers (6510) and also a different tweeter (SL 2000). The R.T.A. 11s had a 12 inch passive radiator (D-1200-A). The mid/woofers were MW6600 and the tweeter was a HF-1000.

    Also they were slightly different sizes of cabinets. The standard Monitor 11 was 33.75 x 16 x 11-5/8 inches. The R.T.A 11 was 31.75 x 15-7/8 x 10-7/8 inches. Both weighed 60 pounds each.

    Check it out for yourself here for the standard Monitor 11 (at end of pdf):
    http://www.polksda.com/pdfs/MonitorReferenceManual.pdf

    Here for the R.T.A. 11:
    http://www.polksda.com/pdfs/Model11Manual.pdf

    It's confusing and I've just got all the info to take in. But it's amazing how little people actually know about the Monitor 11s in general. They probably just experimented like everyone else to see what sold the best and was cost effective and went with it. That's why some were R.T.A. 11 and others were Monitor 11s. Both are rare from what I've seen and misunderstood. Everybody wants to lump them both into the same label as Monitor 11. But there is a difference as you can see. :D
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,779
    edited November 2007
    I can't get your first link to open. Says something about bad juju. Anyway, have you ever seen a pair of the "standard Monitor 11's" with the 10" PR's you refer to anywhere other than the PDF file? I sure haven't.

    I have a nice color brochure with SDA SRS 4.1TL's pictured with a description and price. I also have the schematics, but you'll never find a pair that was sold.
    That's why some were R.T.A. 11 and others were Monitor 11's.

    No, it's not.

    Bottom line, the speakers you now own are commonly referred to as Monitor 11's. When folks mention RTA 11's, it going to be one of the following, RTA 11T or RTA 11TL.
    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

  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited November 2007
    I didn't know they made speaker wire that small. We use that wire for running short jumbers on power pca's circuits.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
  • 426hemi
    426hemi Posts: 12
    edited November 2007
    F1nut wrote: »
    I can't get your first link to open. Says something about bad juju. Anyway, have you ever seen a pair of the "standard Monitor 11's" with the 10" PR's you refer to anywhere other than the PDF file? I sure haven't.

    YES, I've seen 2 or maybe 3 pair around here locally... A friend of mine has a pair with 10 inch radiators right now. Also seen another pair that was in local shop but were really pricey and I wasn't willing to pay that much...
    F1nut wrote:
    I have a nice color brochure with SDA SRS 4.1TL's pictured with a description and price. I also have the schematics, but you'll never find a pair that was sold..

    "That's why some were R.T.A. 11 and others were Monitor 11's."
    F1nut wrote:
    No, it's not.

    I beg to differ, but that's what makes the world go around!
    F1nut wrote:
    Bottom line, the speakers you now own are commonly referred to as Monitor 11's. When folks mention RTA 11's, it going to be one of the following, RTA 11T or RTA 11TL.

    I agree about that but ignorance is bliss, huh? Oh well, I see I'm getting you irritated. I'm just going on what Polk's literature says and by what I've SEEN. Anyways, I'm done and don't want to argue. It seems that you think you are the authority on Polks and I'm sure you do know a lot more than I do about most of them. Obviously not as much as you think you do about Monitor 11s. I don't mean that in a smart way. Just the way it seems to me by the way you replied. I'm sure the ones with the 10 in radiator are very scarce but they exist; trust me!:D
  • 426hemi
    426hemi Posts: 12
    edited November 2007
    BTW, try this link for the info on standard Monitor 11s. You should be able to view this one: http://polksda.com/monitor11.shtml

    See what I mean? They really did make two flavors of them!
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2007
    I can assure you, the forum is already real familiar with the that website. He's also a member here. It may be called an RTA 11 but there is nothing RTA about it. The only "real" RTA is the RTA12.

    Just enjoy them and stop worrying about saving the world.
    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.
  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited November 2007
    halo wrote: »
    The answer to your question...LINK

    Or, if you prefer, one of many threads on this subject...LINK
    Am I on the IGNORE feature or something?

    I posted the answer! Check the pdf. in the link!

    I've owned both the Monitor 11 & the RTA 11T's as shown in the pictures in the link.

    Jeeesh!

    426hemi - despite the manual, people around here have dubbed these (your) speakers as the "Monitor 11". According to the literature / manual from Polk they are indeed labled as the R.T.A. 11.
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,007
    edited November 2007
    The funny thing is that there's nothing "RTA" (real time array) about the 11's that the Mopar fellow just got!

    My belief has always been that the RTA moniker originally referred to the "time aligned" tweeter atop the Polk 12 :-)
  • 426hemi
    426hemi Posts: 12
    edited November 2007
    Hey guys, I'm not trying to save the world or whatever. I'm just trying to make the point that there was Monitor 11s sold that had 10 inch radiators as well as the more common 12 inch ones. That's all, no big deal. I don't know why everyone is so torn up about it. I understand that there's nothing time-aligned like the Monitor 12s. Please everyone, get over it! I plan on enjoying them... I have Monitor 11s; I repeat I have Monitor 11s. Even though the correct reference is R.T.A. 11s.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,779
    edited November 2007
    Hmmm....looks just like a Monitor 10 with a base bracket added. I think we'll call those Monitor 10 1/64's.
    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

  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited November 2007
    F1nut wrote: »
    Hmmm....looks just like a Monitor 10 with a base bracket added. I think we'll call those Monitor 10 1/64's.
    :confused::rolleyes:;):D:cool:
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,007
    edited November 2007
    Actually I think he's got an LF14 with the tweeter upgrade :-)

    (before any aspersions are cast, let me point out that I am an LF-14 owner -- purchased new)
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2007
    426hemi wrote: »
    Please everyone, get over it! I plan on enjoying them.

    I think you're reading way too much emotion into the replies, as I'm nowhere close to being into it, let alone over it. Happy listening!
    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.
  • 426hemi
    426hemi Posts: 12
    edited November 2007
    Gotcha! No problem. Hehehe... I didn't think you were into it and let alone over it either. I really didn't mean to start this big thread about what's "politically correct" terms for models of speakers. Truce everyone. I can see that this forum is way to serious for me. I'll just sit quietly and take it all in for a while. I thought I could get some help about my shifted magnets. Believe me, there is other forums that are a lot more light-hearted (and relaxed about models and terms) but still very helpful and forgiving. I appreciate the help I've got from you guys very much. BTW halo I wasn't ignoring you but I'm new here and don't have enough posts to view pictures or attachments yet. One more post and I will be able to though. I'm almost afraid of being flooded with replies from F1nut again about how wrong I am and how he knows about every Polk model made... Just strikes me as arrogance. Have a good day everyone!
  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited November 2007
    Stick around, Hemi. The regulars may seem a bit gruff at first, but they're actually really good people.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2007
    We're a motley crew at best. <raises devil fingers to the sky>
    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.
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,007
    edited November 2007
    naw, they're really gruff...
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,779
    edited November 2007
    426hemi wrote: »
    Gotcha! No problem. Hehehe... I didn't think you were into it and let alone over it either. I really didn't mean to start this big thread about what's "politically correct" terms for models of speakers. Truce everyone. I can see that this forum is way to serious for me. I'll just sit quietly and take it all in for a while. I thought I could get some help about my shifted magnets. Believe me, there is other forums that are a lot more light-hearted (and relaxed about models and terms) but still very helpful and forgiving. I appreciate the help I've got from you guys very much. BTW halo I wasn't ignoring you but I'm new here and don't have enough posts to view pictures or attachments yet. One more post and I will be able to though. I'm almost afraid of being flooded with replies from F1nut again about how wrong I am and how he knows about every Polk model made... Just strikes me as arrogance. Have a good day everyone!


    I was being civil to you, but seeing as how you can't stop taking shots at me, you can take your Monitor 11's and put them where the sun doesn't shine.
    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

  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2007
    those are Monitor 11.5 sheesh do I have to do everything around here still? :rolleyes:

    they're nice speakers.. I think Polk may have mislabeled a couple speakers along the way over the years. ;)

    to me they appear to me Monitor 11's. end of story. NOT RTA anything ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited November 2007
    danger boy wrote: »
    to me they appear to me Monitor 11's. end of story. NOT RTA anything ;)
    read the manual db ;)
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,794
    edited November 2007
    halo wrote: »
    read the manual db ;)

    +1...
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2007
    halo wrote: »
    read the manual db ;)

    i dun't no how 2 reed :p;)


    as if i had a manual :D
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: