M12 - Is this a good deal?

bsoko2
bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
edited December 2008 in Vintage Speakers
Polk M12 for sale on ebay, is this a good deal?

http://cgi.ebay.com/BEAUTIFUL-POLK-AUDIO-MONITOR-12-M12-SPEAKERS-M_W0QQitemZ350135499466QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item350135499466&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Bill
My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
Post edited by bsoko2 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    That's not a bad price for them seeing that they look mint, but you can find SDA's in that price range. It's a long trip to pick them up too.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited December 2008
    Thanx Ben, I only bid $80 on it.

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2008
    If you're a Monitor fan, and could care less about SDA, it's an ok deal. It's pretty bloated in the bass department but the rest is vintage Polk Monitor series.

    I would NEVER ship that speaker and if that's your wish....pass. It isn't rare enough to worry about.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    ...I would NEVER ship that speaker.
    100% agreed.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2008
    dorokusai, I do not get the bloated bass comment. In my room the M12 bass is just as tight but not as deep as my SDA 1Cs.

    Can you provide more details, maybe I do not know what I am looking for wrt bloated bass.

    Bill, for reference I paid $175 for my M12s in pristine condition. The RDo198 was a great upgrade. The SL2500s seem brittle sounding me.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,133
    edited December 2008
    Looks like the grills are torn to me. Maybe just the picture.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,133
    edited December 2008
    There is no way they should call them "perfect".
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bluecomet
    bluecomet Posts: 1,118
    edited December 2008
    I dealt with this guy before. I bought some Monitor 7's and my studio version SDA 1C's. He packs them very well. The monitor 7's arrived in good shape. The SDA 1C's arrived in good shape but I had two frozen mid's. This guy is not bad to deal with, shipping from UPS is a roll of the dice. I just took an hour drive to Allentown and bought SDA 2b's with interconnect cable from the original owner and only paid $190.00 in excellent condition. If you have your heart set on M12's he is not a bad guy to deal with but if not, you may want to hang loose and see what pops up in your neck of the woods.
    Polk HT system 1: LSIC, LSI25 mains, LSI F/X rears, Lsi F/X rear centers,
    Yamaha RX-V2500 System, Carver A753 3 channel amp.

    Polk HT system 2: , SRT system with f/x 1,000's rear speakers on 7.1 system currently using Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver, powered by Sunfire Grand Theater amp

    Polk Speaker collection: SDA SRS 1.2tl x 2, SRT system, SDA SRS 2 P/B, SDA 2A, SDA 1C Studio, SDA CRS+, Monitor 7B & 4, SRS 3.1tl, RTA 15tl, LS90, LSI 9
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2008
    thsmith wrote: »
    dorokusai, I do not get the bloated bass comment. In my room the M12 bass is just as tight but not as deep as my SDA 1Cs.

    I don't like that speaker, what else do you want me to say? It's exaggerated mid-bass and completely overdone. The Monitor 10 is a better loudspeaker....and the Monitor 7 is even better and more accurate. You own and enjoy them, awesome, rock on.

    I'd save my money for a pair in better condition at the very least.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jtgranby
    jtgranby Posts: 887
    edited December 2008
    Save your money and pick up a pair of SDA 2b's for the same price.M12's on ebay are overpriced and when you factor in the shipping with possible frozen MW thats a lot of money. I have never heard a pair of monitor 12's but I have heard most of the SDA line. Be patient and wait for something local.IMHO

    Jim
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2008
    If you're dead set on them, see if he would ship the drivers separately.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited December 2008
    Here is a set of SDA 2's: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300278056598&indexURL=4&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting and I have bid on them. OK deal?

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bluecomet
    bluecomet Posts: 1,118
    edited December 2008
    There nice. They are the SDA 2A's. The cabinets are just like the ones I picked up today. Mine are SDA 2B's. Hopefully the bidding will not get too high for you. I wonder what shipping will be like for you being that you are across the country. I hope he packs them good for you. Shipping speakers makes me nervous but it can be done. Good luck.
    Polk HT system 1: LSIC, LSI25 mains, LSI F/X rears, Lsi F/X rear centers,
    Yamaha RX-V2500 System, Carver A753 3 channel amp.

    Polk HT system 2: , SRT system with f/x 1,000's rear speakers on 7.1 system currently using Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver, powered by Sunfire Grand Theater amp

    Polk Speaker collection: SDA SRS 1.2tl x 2, SRT system, SDA SRS 2 P/B, SDA 2A, SDA 1C Studio, SDA CRS+, Monitor 7B & 4, SRS 3.1tl, RTA 15tl, LS90, LSI 9
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited December 2008
    bluecomet wrote: »
    There nice. They are the SDA 2A's. The cabinets are just like the ones I picked up today. Mine are SDA 2B's. Hopefully the bidding will not get too high for you. I wonder what shipping will be like for you being that you are across the country. I hope he packs them good for you. Shipping speakers makes me nervous but it can be done. Good luck.

    What is the diff between the 2a & 2b ?

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited December 2008
    Mismatched tweeters and they are original 2s or 2As. I'm sure some local SDAs will pop up for you.

    I might be wrong, but I think the 2s had the bass driver and dual tweeters, while 2As and Bs have single stereo/dimensional drivers and a single SL2000. The Bs have the 6511/10 config. Can't remember which drivers were in the 2As.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2008
    The Ebay link is to a pair of 2's, not 2a or 2b.

    As Ron suggested, I would hold out for a local pair. Just check your local Craigslist and Ebay daily.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited December 2008
    Face wrote: »
    The Ebay link is to a pair of 2's, not 2a or 2b.

    As Ron suggested, I would hold out for a local pair. Just check your local Craigslist and Ebay daily.

    I do, from Bellingham, WA to Eugene, Ore.

    Thanx guys, Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited December 2008
    Bill, SDAs seem to come up in the Bay Area fairly regularly. If you want me to look over or pickup a set for you, just shoot me a PM. I looked at a set for thsmith which he almost pulled the trigger on, but I talked him out of it :D. I also have resources to ship, though I'm in the business and I still cringe at trying to ship these guys.

    Let me know.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited December 2008
    Ron Temple wrote: »
    Bill, SDAs seem to come up in the Bay Area fairly regularly. If you want me to look over or pickup a set for you, just shoot me a PM. I looked at a set for thsmith which he almost pulled the trigger on, but I talked him out of it :D. I also have resources to ship, though I'm in the business and I still cringe at trying to ship these guys.

    Let me know.

    Ron, thanx a mill!

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    Face wrote: »
    The Ebay link is to a pair of 2's, not 2a or 2b.

    As Ron suggested, I would hold out for a local pair. Just check your local Craigslist and Ebay daily.

    Another to agree to these statements. The 2's are not worth shipping. None are really worth shipping. Something will come up. Be patient;)
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited December 2008
    These were just posted, good deal? http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/ele/948431288.html

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    Those are the 2.3's with the donut drivers. Two of the drivers are bass drivers, two are dims, and two are stereo. The price is a little high for those. F1nut has had a lot of experience with the 2.3's, and I am sure he will chime in with some good advice. I would say to pass on those too. They are very heavy, and need a fairly large room to be fully appreciated. I would look for 1C's, or SDA-SRS2's , or 2B's. Times are tough, and you will start seeing these pop up on the cheap. Happy hunting Bill.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited December 2008
    Ben my room is 28 X 18 x 12 = 6048 cu feet. Is this big enough for these? The 2.3's can be used for 60 movies and 40 music with 2 sets of Monitor 10's as surrounds.

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited December 2008
    F1nut - comment on these 2.3's and my room size?

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2008
    Their fine for that size room and the price is high.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited December 2008
    Due to the price, they are likely to remain on CL for awhile. A pair of 2.3TLs in good shape for $600 stayed on CL for over a month down here. There's been a pair of CRS on for 3 months starting at $400 now down to $245, still no takers.

    Are they worth $1250...sure, but I'd still wait.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter