CL Dallas: POLK AUDIO MONITOR 12

tx_polkhead

Someone asking $175 for a nice looking set of POLK AUDIO MONITOR 12 in Dallas. No affiliation just don't have the cash to get them myself!
Abel

link:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ele/895996667.html

zingo

Those rarely pop up for sale so someone should snatch them up. I like the "high powered" part of the ad. I've never understood that unless they were actually powered, and then why does it matter anyway...

leroyjr1

Nice deal !!!!!

average_guy

These are also up on the Bay. I don't have the link but I saw them earlier, and the same seller also has a set of Monitor 10s with the fuses on the crossover, also on the Bay.

average_guy

Links:

Monitor 10 here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/POLK-AUDIO-MONITOR-10-EARLY-MODELS-1970S-NICE-LOOK_W0QQitemZ230304016507QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230304016507&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

and Monitor 12 here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/POLK-AUDIO-MONITOR-12-FLAGSHIP-MODEL-2ND-SERIES-NICE_W0QQitemZ330282300760QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item330282300760&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

zingo

edit: beat me too it average_guy

average_guy

No reserve on the e-bay listings.....

All the nice stuff is too far from Ohio...:(

average_guy

I have an E-bay favorite search for "Polk". It allows me to salivate on the great stuff that is out there....at least a 2 or 3 day drive away or more...it helps fuel my dreams:o

nadams

I find it strange that all the Monitor 12's I've seen have those "traditional" looking passive radiators. Whereas, all the SDA's I've seen with that size radiator have the flat-front, foam covered radiators.

ben62670

nadams wrote: »

I find it strange that all the Monitor 12's I've seen have those "traditional" looking passive radiators. Whereas, all the SDA's I've seen with that size radiator have the flat-front, foam covered radiators.

I like the traditional cone PR's

leroyjr1

How do they sound compared to the monitor 10's ?

nadams

It just always makes me do a double-take because I fear that someone's gone and replaced the PR with an active driver (which we have also seen from time to time)

thsmith

I am thinking of buying them, I live near Ft Worth. Since I am new to vintage polk I would like to hear them first.

McLoki

Just an FYI - There is a tweeter replacement from polk that will make the speaker a little more laid back sounding - (although I do like the SL2500 tweeter). There are also crossover upgrades that can be done that will improve the sound of these speakers.

Just saying if you are interested, you can taylor the sound to fit your needs pretty well.

Michael

BTW - welcome to club polk....

thsmith

Thanks, Hopefully the seller will contact me today. Maybe I should have went with the SVS Ultra oak cabinet sub instead of black;)

thsmith

Just talked to seller and am going to look and listen tomorrow.

Other than looking and listening is there anything else I should do ?

Thanks,

P.S. If I am lucky and all goes well I will have them home tomorrow, unfortantely all I have to power them is my Denon 2808 AVR which is rated at 110wpc. What ohms are these speakers ? Never mind, looks like they are 8 ohm

zingo

Lightly push on all the mid drivers to make sure they move free. At the same time you should see the PR moving and recoiling at the same rate as the drivers. This should ensure you have no air leaks.

nadams

I do the opposite... push on the passive radiator and make sure the drivers move free. Pushing on the passive radiator will not damage it, as there's no voice coil. Pushing on the drivers... well, if you're a little off to one side you can damage the driver.

thsmith

nadams wrote: »

I do the opposite... push on the passive radiator and make sure the drivers move free. Pushing on the passive radiator will not damage it, as there's no voice coil. Pushing on the drivers... well, if you're a little off to one side you can damage the driver.

Thanks Zingo and nadams.

ANy concerns about using the Denon to drive the M12s? I know in the long term AMPs would be best but I should be ok running the Denon for a bit ?

Ron Temple

thsmith wrote: »

Thanks Zingo and nadams.

ANy concerns about using the Denon to drive the M12s? I know in the long term AMPs would be best but I should be ok running the Denon for a bit ?

8ohm, 91db sensitivity...you should be fine. I'm sure they'd benefit from an amp, but your AVR will work fine for HT since you're going to cut them for the Ultra. I'd run them large and naked for 2 channel. Ask the guy to hook them up for you. There's also an M12 vs SDA 2A thread here from Braddles which compares them very favorably. They are going to be a big step up from your 8s.

thsmith

Ron Temple wrote: »

8ohm, 91db sensitivity...you should be fine. I'm sure they'd benefit from an amp, but your AVR will work fine for HT since you're going to cut them for the Ultra. I'd run them large and naked for 2 channel. Ask the guy to hook them up for you. There's also an M12 vs SDA 2A thread here from Braddles which compares them very favorably. They are going to be a big step up from your 8s.

Thanks Ron. Going over tomorrow to listen to them. Wow if they are a big step up from the 8s that would be excellent.

I have a CSiA6 center, any guess how well the M12s and A6 will sound together?

Ron Temple

thsmith wrote: »

Thanks Ron. Going over tomorrow to listen to them. Wow if they are a big step up from the 8s that would be excellent.

I have a CSiA6 center, any guess how well the M12s and A6 will sound together?

It's just a guess...there's nothing wrong with the 8s for HT, but I've heard the M10s and prefer them to RTis. The M12s from all reports are excellent speakers. You'll have to see with the center. Some are using the CSi5 with SDAs without complaints. The A6 will certainly be able to keep up.

tx_polkhead

thsmith, so what's the word did you pick them up? Let's see some pictures. Sure wish I had the cash but things are tight, too tight for more speakers!

McLoki

Just in case you were unaware - polk does have a page describing the Monitor 12. You can get to it here..... (they are currently rated 5 out of 5 by all 8 people who have left feedback)

For the money - they will be great speakers. If the cabinets are in decent condition at all, they will be a good buy.

Michael

Ron Temple

For a speaker this size, I'd think they'd be heavier. Great link McLoki, I looked for one earlier and couldn't find anything but the polksda stuff.

thsmith

tx_polkhead wrote: »

thsmith, so what's the word did you pick them up? Let's see some pictures. Sure wish I had the cash but things are tight, too tight for more speakers!

Have an appointment with the seller early tomorrow afternoon.

If I get them I will post pics for sure.

Lets see, have cash, they should fit in the car, need to set up, run audessy. Yep that should do it. :cool:;)

thsmith

McLoki wrote: »

Just in case you were unaware - polk does have a page describing the Monitor 12. You can get to it here..... (they are currently rated 5 out of 5 by all 8 people who have left feedback)

For the money - they will be great speakers. If the cabinets are in decent condition at all, they will be a good buy.

Michael

Excellent link, thanks

thsmith

Was able to pick up the M12s today. Don is a great fellow.

12s were in better condition than pics showed. He had them playing when I arrived. Don pointed out the replaced negative post on one speaker.

Pushing the PR makes the 4 six and halves move very well, does not take much.

They have a new home now. As promised here's some pics.

I have listed to then in large and naked with music and was surprised how tight the bass is, I like it. At the moment I am using 2.1 with the Ultra to better compare.

Listened to Hoottie in 5.1, very nice.

Listen to and watched IM and Hulk scenes, very nice. That Ultra is a beast and the M12s blend well with the Ultra and Center.

The one thing I have noticed is what use to sound really good at -10db on the AVR now takes 0. The sound has cleared up and more punch. I could see with the right AMP not needing a sub for music. They kick.

Thanks for the feedback and answers. Back to listening.

Ron Temple

Congrats...well you weren't kidding. Thought about vintage Polks a couple of days ago and here you are .

Be sure to post over on the Polkie thread @ AVS too.

Those really look pristine. Versus the RTis, I'm assuming these are much more laid back. The detail is there, but a much wider soundstage and different placement in the room. When you put an amp on them, that kick you're hearing will be even better.

I think you'll find that the Ultra is too much for some musical content. It's a great sub, but the big Polks will give you tight and balanced bass for music. Adding the sub makes it tough to tame. For HT let er rip.

Braddles

Well done mate!

I see yours dont have the angled feet on them like the ones mine came with.
Ive noticed a few people complaining they found the 12's too boomy or bloated in the base. If you find the same maybe look into attaching some to the bottom of yours.

I bet getting them off the floor would tighten them up a bit.

I can shoot you the dementions of what's on mine if you like.

Brad

Braddles

Sorry mate just saw you already asked me for the measurements on my thead.

I'll talk in inches for you.

They are 3/4" thick peices of MDF.

1 &1/2" high at the front down to 1" at the back. They run full lenght front to rear of the speaker.
They sit 1" in from each side.
They are just wood screwed in with 2 screws each side.
Mine came with pastic buttons on the bottom to isolate them further. They are pressed in the the countersunk hole for the screw.

Ill take some pics for you if you like?