Fixing an SL2000

barakus

I just received a pair of Monitor 5s purchased from eBay and heard a stomach-tightening thunking noise when turning one of them over when taking it from its box.

Some investigation revealed that one of the tweeters had its magnet come detached from the faceplate. I removed the tweeter from its metal ring and attempted to reattach the ring to the magnet assembly, but, as many of you probably know, it's a pretty damn strong magnet, and I found it impossible to center the ring over the pole without it contacting the pole and thereby preventing the tweeter coil from moving as it should.

I've already contacted Polk support about getting some upgraded tweeters, but I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a fix while I'm waiting for replacements.

Firstly, I have to figure out some way to center the ring over the pole. I tried putting a tube of cardboard around the pole and sliding the ring over it - no go. I also tried putting a series of toothpicks in the valley around the pole, and, again, no joy.

Secondly, if I do come up with a centering method, I'd like to know if anyone has any adhesive recommendations. I'm assuming any metal-to-metal epoxy would do the trick, but specifics would be nice.

It might seem a waste of time to fix these with replacements coming, but I would like to compare the original sound with the upgrade. And I'd like to sell/give these SL2000s to someone who needs them.

Thanks.

Boywonder

Epoxy, preferably 5 minute. I don't have any brilliant suggestions for aligning the magnet/pole piece but it sounds like you are innovative, so keep going. It's trash as it is, so no downside.

dorokusai

Throw it in the trash when you're done trying to fix it. The new RD0194 replacement tweeter is much better, or you could look for a used SL2000 on here or eBay.

Good luck.

barakus

Thanks for the replies.

I'm just a little impatient after not having heard these speakers for the last 20 years or so. I heard a pair of Polk monitors in a music store as an adolescent and they really woke me up to what decent speakers could offer. I crave the 'retro' sound!

Another question that I don't feel like making a thread for: Is the whole cabinet supposed to be filled with polyfill? On the one speaker, at least, there is only polyfill in the tweeter area, which seems odd to me.

NJPOLKER

In all three sets of my Polks there is "polyfill" only in the upper half so I gotta think it's the way it is supposed to be.
The advice in purchasing two RDO-194's is the best bet for you. They are superior to the original ones and trying to fix the broken tweeter probabley won't work out perfectly.
Upgrading the x-overs will be a great move once you install the RDO's. The RDO's will only set you back about $104.00 for the pair, money well spent. To upgrade the x-overs will cost somewhere around $70. and again, money well spent.

Drew

MarcLazarek78

I need help on my SL2000 also.

I left the room for 2 min and come back in to see one of the cats clawing the dome off.

all thats left is a severd single thread wire from top to bottom and a detached dome. is this fixable?

dorokusai

I doubt it but since Barakus now has a spare, working SL2000....perhaps you two can work something out.

MarcLazarek78

Barakus, you would really be a saviour,and I would be very appreciative.

And am making a declawing appointment Monday!

barakus

I'd be happy to oblige once I get my new tweets, but I have to warn you that I'm pretty sure I've heard some scratchiness (not cat related) in my "good" tweeter.

Also, this isn't a promise as of yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll get the upgrades and would be willing to send you the tweeter if you pay shipping.

This is the nicest forum I've ever been a part of, so I'm more than happy to help a member. Now you guys just have to promise me not to encourage extreme electronics spending. (crossover upgrade notwithstanding)

Speaking of which, what exactly does the crossover upgrade offer? Is this specific to the RDO-194 tweeter?

dorokusai

I assure you....we all have your wallets on our minds

Welcome to Club Polk and I'm sorry in advance.

barakus

Marc,

I'm assuming from your spelling of 'saviour' that you don't live close to me (Southern New Jersey). Maybe the hive mind here could chime in on the wisdom of this, but it would save a lot of shipping weight to just ship the plastic dome sans magnet.

I don't know anything about shipping costs frankly, so maybe this idea is ridiculous, especially given the additional fragility of that precious little plastic dome by itself. Trust me, the whole massive system is prone to failure under shipping pressures and 20-odd years of gravity.

MarcLazarek78

I bid on this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/POLK-AUDIO-COMPONENT-TWEETERS-NEW-OLD-STOCK_W0QQitemZ190196844760QQihZ009QQcategoryZ137944QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$13 shipping for the pair.

So I'd feel fine floating you twice that for the single original model. can pm me for the red tape.

barakus

I don't have enough posts to PM yet, apparently. I'll send it to you for whatever it costs me, pending the arrival of the new tweeters. I just listened to the "good" tweeter at high volume and close range, and it's fine, as far as I can tell. Quite good, actually.

I'm waiting for Polk support to get back to me regarding replacement drivers. I sent an email Friday night, so I guess I won't hear anything until Monday morning.

There aren't any direct links to buy the RDO-194 anywhere that I'm missing, right?

dorokusai

Correct, call them direct.

MarcLazarek78

No problem.Sounds great,and I appreciate the generosity. when ready,my email is mdlazarek@aol.com

Good luck with your new replacements.

Marty913

barakus wrote:
Speaking of which, what exactly does the crossover upgrade offer? Is this specific to the RDO-194 tweeter?

Probably a lot of different opinions on this but it is definitely NOT an RDO-194 specific upgrade. I did my SDA2 XO's (but have not upgraded the tweeters) for several reasons. Some shipping damage was one reason, wanting to learn more, converting the interconnect cable to better wiring, replacement of older (weaker?) components were others. I expected them to sound better but probably would have done the upgrade anyway. They do sound a lot better. The bass seems tighter and the SDA effect seems a lot more pronounced. I will probably do the $200 worth of tweeters eventually but for now the $90 for the four crossovers was money well spent.

heiney9

barakus wrote: »

I'd be happy to oblige once I get my new tweets, but I have to warn you that I'm pretty sure I've heard some scratchiness (not cat related) in my "good" tweeter.

Also, this isn't a promise as of yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll get the upgrades and would be willing to send you the tweeter if you pay shipping.

This is the nicest forum I've ever been a part of, so I'm more than happy to help a member. Now you guys just have to promise me not to encourage extreme electronics spending. (crossover upgrade notwithstanding)

Speaking of which, what exactly does the crossover upgrade offer? Is this specific to the RDO-194 tweeter?

Look here:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51420&highlight=5b%2A

I have a pair of Monitor 5B's in my office rig and I highly recommend the new silk dome RD0194-1 tweeters. For about $50 or so and a little bit of time replacing caps and resistors gives outstanding results. Step by step w/pics as well as comments in the above thread.

Good luck and stick around

H9

MarcLazarek78

I found this...

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/service/parts/partslist.php3?item=tweeters

could I just drop in a single SL2000T?

heiney9

The sl2000T is not the same as the original sl2000. I believe (going from memory here) the RD0194-1 is the same as the sl2000T, just different names. You would need to replace both tweeters with the new silk domes in order for the speakers to sound correct. Or you are welcome to find a used sl2000 and replace the single damaged tweeter.

The RD0194-1 is a really nice upgrade but not everyone wants to invest that much money. Last I checked a pr of RD0's runs $102 shipped to your door w/free 2 day fedex.

H9

MarcLazarek78

so in my SDA 2's (2 tweets each cab) I'd need one or two pair, and are the new crossovers needed?

heiney9

If using/purchasing the new silk domes (RD0194-1) you would need to replace them all. The x-over refresh is not needed to use the new Polk tweeters.

H9

MarcLazarek78

would these work fine?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&item=190196844760&_trksid=p3984.cTODAY.m238.lVI

acording to this list
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/service/parts/partslist.php3?item=tweeters

they are SL1500's

heiney9

Nope, not only are completely wrong electrically but if you measure your current tweeter the one's in the link are too small to fit in the opening.

H9

heiney9

If you have sl2000's in your SDA's then the only 2 tweeters that are comparable are the sl2000 or RD0194-1 (which is the same as the sl2000T). That's it.

barakus

I don't remember where I saw it, but somewhere on this board, someone recommended these
as a replacement for SL1000s. I guess most will say that SL1000s are a tad worse than SL2000s, but do they work/fit? They sure are inexpensive.

I'm almost certain that I'll be getting the RD0194-1s; just curious.

heiney9

Ok, I thought we were talking about sl2000's. Sometimes threads get too mired in muck unless we stay on topic.

The RD0194-1 is also the Polk recommended replacement for the sl1000, but you need to slightly massage the opening in the cabinet (w/a dremel) to get them to "drop" in. I know of no other Polk recommended replacement tweeters for either the sl1000 or sl2000.

Some have experimented with other brands of tweeters sold at Parts Express, Madisound, etc. but I can't say what the results were.

H9

barakus

Sorry to confuse the issue. I guess Marc and I are just going a little crazy without having working tweeters.

Somewhat back on topic, did the SL2000T/RD0194-1 ship as original equipment on later Polk Monitors or is just an after-the-fact replacement? I bought my speakers on a whim, and only found this place just afterwards. I must say I'm very glad to find that Polk supports its products so well and I commend them for it.

And I commend you all for being so supportive and genial. Must be that mellow vintage speaker sound making the world a better place one listener at a time. Alright, I'm starting to sound like a product spokesman or something, I better go.

MarcLazarek78

Forgive me for lack of knowledge here,but this list shows the SL2000T as RD0103-C.
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/service/parts/partslist.php3?item=tweeters

Is it that we are talking about the replacement "RD0194-1" is for the SL2000 definitively, and can be used for a SL2000T?

heiney9

barakus wrote: »

Sorry to confuse the issue. I guess Marc and I are just going a little crazy without having working tweeters.

Somewhat back on topic, did the SL2000T/RD0194-1 ship as original equipment on later Polk Monitors or is just an after-the-fact replacement? I bought my speakers on a whim, and only found this place just afterwards. I must say I'm very glad to find that Polk supports its products so well and I commend them for it.

And I commend you all for being so supportive and genial. Must be that mellow vintage speaker sound making the world a better place one listener at a time. Alright, I'm starting to sound like a product spokesman or something, I better go.

I can't blame you for going crazy since your speaks aren't working. .

At some point Polk addressed the issue with the sl2000 tweeter having a +5dB peak at about 13kHz or 15 kHz (depending on whose quoting). That always made the sl2000 seem to be very forward and sometimes could cause it to be harsh sounding.

Starting with certain generation SDA's and RTA's models Polk engineered a new tweeter made out of a "tri-laminate" material. All those models are designated with a "TL" after the model number. and the tweeter was called the sl3000. You could not replace older sl2000 tweeter's in older Polk models with the new "TL" tweeter as the x-over's and electrical characteristics were different.

Later on the Monitor line received a variation of the same tri-laminate tweeter called the sl2500. The Monitor line was designated with the model number followed by "series II". Ex. Monitor 5 series II

The company and process that allowed Polk to offer the Tri-laminate tweeters (sl2500 and sl3000) went out of production plus it used a process that has many caustic and nasty environmental by products like cyanide, arsenic, etc. So Polk sent engineering specs and parameters to several outside vendors to have them build a suitable replacement for the sl1000/sl2000/sl2500 and sl3000 tweeters.

That's where we are today. Polk chose a single vendor after many listening tests, etc.

The RD0194-1 replaces the sl1000/sl2000
The RD0198-1 replaces the sl2500/sl3000.

They are both silk dome tweeters and are very smooth, open and detailed without a hint of harshness compared to the sl1000 and sl2000. The sl2500 and especially the sl3000 weren't as bad a tweeter, but many feel the silk dome replacement (RD0198-1) is still better.

The "are dee oh 19x-1" refers to the stock number of the part. It's the same as the sl2000T as it was originally called a few years ago. It's just universally known as the RD0.......

H9

heiney9

MarcLazarek78 wrote: »

Forgive me for lack of knowledge here,but this list shows the SL2000T as RD0103-C.
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/service/parts/partslist.php3?item=tweeters

Is it that we are talking about the replacement "RD0194-1" is for the SL2000 definitively, and can be used for a SL2000T?

The parts list info is old and obsolete. The correct stock number is now RD0194-1. The sl2000T was never offered in a production Polk it was a replacement tweeter that is now known as the RD0194-1.

MarcLazarek78

ahh haa, yes. Thank you very much for that superb (and long) informative reply. We are all SL1000-3000 replacement certified now,I believe.

Thanks.