Monitor 12: PR coating, X-over, stands, and faceplate ?s

plastic_avatar

Again, excuse the dumb questions

- I noticed in some pictures of Monitor 12's, it looks like there's a coating on the PR. I'll double-check to make absolutely sure, but I think mine are just plain, old, matte and not shiny cones.

I know some people coat paper cones with all kinds of shiny sealants... so what's the feeling on this for my 12's?

- I see where people upgrade the X-over components on their 10's, and I see little upgrade packs on ebay. I found the standard and revised schematics for the innards of my 12's here, but is there a consensus (and parts suggested list) on changing out the bits for my model?

For that matter, are the cap & stuff upgrades worth it for my 5jr's?

Honestly, replacing the tweets is more than I expected to do when I bought these... though I'm happy to do it because I heard the potential and I want them to perform at their best.

- Couldn't find anything on stand specs for these. I suppose I could fake it and build them to my own specs, unless someone has inside info that will help me build them better

- Lastly! Whew. Do new faceplates come with the tweeter upgrades from Polk (the RDO198-1)? If not, I've got to track one down.

Thanks all, for any help. I'm learning a lot about these older speakers reading the threads. I like the civility I see. It's nice

Oh, side note. Any recommendations on what kind of wattage these work best on?

-Steve(n)

Face

plastic_avatar wrote: »

- I see where people upgrade the X-over components on their 10's, and I see little upgrade packs on ebay. I found the standard and revised schematics for the innards of my 12's here, but is there a consensus (and parts suggested list) on changing out the bits for my model?

Your best bet is to avoid those ebay kits and source the parts for yourself. If you're unsure which model 12 you have, you should pull the crossover and go by the values you currently have.

For that matter, are the cap & stuff upgrades worth it for my 5jr's?

IMO, yes.

- Couldn't find anything on stand specs for these. I suppose I could fake it and build them to my own specs, unless someone has inside info that will help me build them better

Do you mean these specs? http://polksda.com/monitor12.shtml

- Lastly! Whew. Do new faceplates come with the tweeter upgrades from Polk (the RDO198-1)? If not, I've got to track one down.

Yes, they're included from Polk.

Oh, side note. Any recommendations on what kind of wattage these work best on?

Current is more important than wattage. What are you using now?

jjwm27

i also have a set of monitor 12s and would be very grateful for any information or list of parts for upgrading the crossovers, and where to get them. i did the tweeters with rdo 198s and now want even more. i think they are great speakers.

plastic_avatar

Do you have yours on stands?

ozzy21236

I have seen where some Monitor 12s have factory "feet/stands" attached . I'll try to find a pic of them . Mine don't have them. They are I believe 1" high in the front and taper to 1/2' at the rear.
Russ

thsmith

Here is a link regarding the M12s I bought, a gentle fromn down under describes how the factory stands are mounted.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73784&highlight=Monitor

hearingimpared

plastic_avatar wrote: »

- Lastly! Whew. Do new faceplates come with the tweeter upgrades from Polk (the RDO198-1)? If not, I've got to track one down.

Thanks all, for any help. I'm learning a lot about these older speakers reading the threads. I like the civility I see. It's nice

Oh, side note. Any recommendations on what kind of wattage these work best on?

-Steve(n)

RD0198s are drop in replacements.

comfortablycurt

plastic_avatar wrote: »

- I noticed in some pictures of Monitor 12's, it looks like there's a coating on the PR. I'll double-check to make absolutely sure, but I think mine are just plain, old, matte and not shiny cones.

I know some people coat paper cones with all kinds of shiny sealants... so what's the feeling on this for my 12's?

Don't quote me on it, but I think some of the earlier Monitor series speakers had a different type of cone material. The earlier ones were an untreated paper cone, while the newer ones had a treated paper cone. This would make the difference in shininess you're seeing. I'm not an expert though, so don't quote me on it.

plastic_avatar

comfortablycurt wrote: »

I'm not an expert though, so don't quote me on it.

[muhahahaha]

I quote you anyway!

[cackles maniacally]

[ahem]

The tweeter I removed last night has a 1991 on the label, but I haven't looked at anything else to get an idea as to when these were made. I'll check in to it tonight, and maybe post a pic of the cone.

Learning about these is a lot more fun than I thought

I can't wait to put them with the 5jr's for a little man room action (I'm slowly putting the pieces together for my own little retro refuge, since house space is at a premium).

comfortablycurt

plastic_avatar wrote: »

[muhahahaha]

I quote you anyway!

[cackles maniacally]

[ahem]

The tweeter I removed last night has a 1991 on the label, but I haven't looked at anything else to get an idea as to when these were made. I'll check in to it tonight, and maybe post a pic of the cone.

Learning about these is a lot more fun than I thought

I can't wait to put them with the 5jr's for a little man room action (I'm slowly putting the pieces together for my own little retro refuge, since house space is at a premium).

Damn! I've been quoted!!

If they're from 1991, the difference in cone materials wouldn't really be the issue. That was towards the end of the vintage Monitor series lifespan.

Have you cleaned them real well? I know the drivers on my Monitor 7A's were fairly dull looking until I cleaned them up. They look great now. I read of several people on here using Windex to clean them, so that's what I did. It made a world of difference in the appearance of them. Don't even try to clean the tweeters though.;)

plastic_avatar

comfortablycurt wrote: »

If they're from 1991, the difference in cone materials wouldn't really be the issue. That was towards the end of the vintage Monitor series lifespan.

I won't worry about it then

I looked again. I think I see lots of dust. Yuck.

I'll scrub 'em good when I get my tweeters ordered

Don't even try to clean the tweeters though.;)

[laughs] Really? You don't say =P

plastic_avatar

Wow, I started posting about my Monitor 12 in 2009???

And you guys were part of my introduction to the forum, and I appreciate your help!

It only took me 11 years to think I was finished with the upgrades.

I've come a long way.

Now I need to:

- Dynamat the mids and passive.

- Install the phase plugs I made using xschop's design as a model. (I even made a version with a removable tip so I can do a bizarre experiment on another speaker...)

The 12 sound great, and I thank you guys for helping to get me started.