Opinions on Non-SDA Speakers

JohnLocke88
JohnLocke88 Posts: 1,150
edited October 2009 in Vintage Speakers
Hey guys; Been thinking about this for a while. I will most likely be moving soon to a place where super big speakers aren't simply possible.

I have acquired a nice set of Monitor 10s and I am really enjoying them. They have the SL2000 tweeter, and although I really like how it sounds, the tweeters are a bit yellowed and have a few dimples in them (from the previous owner).

I was looking through the wiring schematics, and saw that there is an SL3000 modification for the Monitor 10. Has anyone actually tried this? Was it worth the cost of upgrading from SL2000 tweeters to SL3000 tweeters?

Finally, what is your favorite non-SDA vintage speaker set?
Post edited by JohnLocke88 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited October 2009
    JohnLocke88 wrote: »

    Finally, what is your favorite non-SDA vintage speaker set?

    Monitor 12 and RTA-12
    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
  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited October 2009
    JohnLocke88 wrote: »
    Finally, what is your favorite non-SDA vintage speaker set?

    LS-90's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited October 2009
    RTA-15TLs and/or LS-90s.

    Haven't heard the LS-90s, but i REALLY REALLY want a pair.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited October 2009
    +1 on the RTA's

    Never heard the 15TL's, but have the 11T's and being a previous SDA owner its about as close as you can get IMO


    Pauly
    Life without music would♭
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited October 2009
    Pauly wrote: »
    +1 on the RTA's

    Never heard the 15TL's, but have the 11T's and being a previous SDA owner its about as close as you can get IMO


    Pauly

    +1 on RTA's.

    I have 11TL's and they are fantastic.

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited October 2009
    Agree...RTAs and LS

    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
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,463
    edited October 2009
    I did not know Polk made anything besides SDA's that could be called speakers.:D









    j/k.... My choice goes to the RTA-15's as well, but if you are going that route, would the 3.1Tl's be a better way to go?
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • StantonZ
    StantonZ Posts: 445
    edited October 2009
    I use 10B's as my (four) corner channels, and they even have the original SL2000 tweeters in them. I don't even use a sub with them as they have a pretty wide range. I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever had a problem with a super-low (LFE) track, and that's over hundreds of DVDs.
    Yamaha RX-A2050 AVR (5.0.2); LG OLED77C2 4K TV
    (4) Polk Monitor 10B's w/SoniCaps, Mills, and RDO-194 tweets (R/L F/R)
    (2) Polk RC80i (Top Middle)
    Polk CS300 center channel
    Analog: B&O TX2 Turntable, Nakamichi Cassette Deck 1
    Digital: Pioneer CLD-99 Elite LD, Panasonic DMP-UB900 UHD Blu-Ray
    Bedroom: Arylic Up2Stream AMPv3 driving Polk Monitor 4's w/peerless tweets
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2009
    StantonZ wrote: »
    I use 10B's as my (four) corner channels, and they even have the original SL2000 tweeters in them. I don't even use a sub with them as they have a pretty wide range. I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever had a problem with a super-low (LFE) track, and that's over hundreds of DVDs.
    If you don't have a sub hooked up, you're not hearing the LFE track.
    "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
  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited October 2009
    I really like my Monitor 10As, but they are eqipped with Peerless tweeters. I think that the Mon. 7s are generally considered to be the best "small" non-SDAs.:)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,134
    edited October 2009
    Face wrote: »
    If you don't have a sub hooked up, you're not hearing the LFE track.

    Some receivers can send the LFE to the mains if you don't use a sub.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited October 2009
    Face wrote: »
    If you don't have a sub hooked up, you're not hearing the LFE track.

    My receiver will send the LFE track to my front channels when a sub isn't being used.

    That being said...it's still not the same as having a dedicated sub. The 10's can dig fairly low, but not as low as most subs out there.


    My favorite non-SDA vintage Polk is my pair of Monitor 7A's, with Peerless tweeters. Some superb sounding speakers. They lack the low end of their larger siblings, but they make up for it with a very liquid mid-range, and excellent sounding highs. I prefer the sound of the Peerless tweets to that of the RD0-194's in my SDA-2A's personally.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited October 2009
    I must be the only person on this board that doesn't particularly like my Monitor 7s.... :p

    They are functioning correctly, sealed properly, and sound ok i guess... just was expecting more. They sound a lot like my old Infinity SM115s, but with less low end.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited October 2009
    concealer404 wrote: »
    I must be the only person on this board that doesn't particularly like my Monitor 7s.... :p

    They are functioning correctly, sealed properly, and sound ok i guess... just was expecting more. They sound a lot like my old Infinity SM115s, but with less low end.

    Maybe you are using the wrong spearker wire?

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited October 2009
    concealer404 wrote: »
    I must be the only person on this board that doesn't particularly like my Monitor 7s.... :p

    They are functioning correctly, sealed properly, and sound ok i guess... just was expecting more. They sound a lot like my old Infinity SM115s, but with less low end.

    To each their own. What tweeters do yours have? They can be kind of picky with placement. They need to have just the right amount of toe in, and need a reasonable amount of breathing room from the back wall.



    I've never heard any of the RTA's...I've always heard they're the best of the non-SDA vintage Polk's. My next vintage Polk's will probably be a pair of RTA-11TL's or RTA-15TL's.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited October 2009
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    To each their own. What tweeters do yours have? They can be kind of picky with placement. They need to have just the right amount of toe in, and need a reasonable amount of breathing room from the back wall.



    I've never heard any of the RTA's...I've always heard they're the best of the non-SDA vintage Polk's. My next vintage Polk's will probably be a pair of RTA-11TL's or RTA-15TL's.


    I have 7Cs. All stock and original. Crossover components tested within spec.

    I may like them better if i had the stands... I messed with the placement for hours, and just... meh. My complaint wasn't really with the tweets or anything, they just never lost that "i'm listening to speakers" feel. Felt like they colored everything too much, not a real smooth frequency response curve.

    They were FUN to listen to, but not anything i would ever personally think of doing any critical listening on.

    They are absolutely worth the money i paid for them, but they aren't in my main rig for a reason. :)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited October 2009
    LS 90's
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited October 2009
    everpress wrote: »
    Maybe you are using the wrong spearker wire?


    That's it!

    Dammit man, i wish you had chimed in a LONG time ago with that! :p

    Come on out, i'd be interested to see what you think of them. If you like them, i'll sell them to you at a loss. They're relegated to bedroom duty right now.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited October 2009
    concealer404 wrote: »
    That's it!

    Dammit man, i wish you had chimed in a LONG time ago with that! :p

    Come on out, i'd be interested to see what you think of them. If you like them, i'll sell them to you at a loss. They're relegated to bedroom duty right now.

    No need for them; I need to save my money for music! (And maybe a DAC, 'cause I'm turning into a budget gear-head...)

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited October 2009
    everpress wrote: »
    No need for them; I need to save my money for music! (And maybe a DAC, 'cause I'm turning into a budget gear-head...)

    Welcome to my world. :p
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • maxilla
    maxilla Posts: 41
    edited October 2009
    Rta-15t.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited October 2009
    concealer404 wrote: »
    I must be the only person on this board that doesn't particularly like my Monitor 7s.... :p

    They are functioning correctly, sealed properly, and sound ok i guess... just was expecting more. They sound a lot like my old Infinity SM115s, but with less low end.

    How big is the room and how are the acoustics? Dont think they are really ment for a "big" room and should be within 6-8 feet with a little "toe" in from the sweet spot IMO. Try and find some stands or at least mock some up and give em another try. Also what are you using for power?

    Pauly
    Life without music would♭
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited October 2009
    Pauly wrote: »
    How big is the room and how are the acoustics? Dont think they are really ment for a "big" room and should be within 6-8 feet with a little "toe" in from the sweet spot IMO. Try and find some stands or at least mock some up and give em another try. Also what are you using for power?

    Pauly

    The room is 12x16, i have them set up on the long wall, facing the couch on the other side. They're 7-8 feet away, and i have the toe in. I've put them up on crates (not ideal, surely) and just on the floor.

    As for power, i've tried them on my Onkyo, an Adcom 535, a Kenwood M-1 Basic, a Dynaco SCA-80Q, and various AVRs.

    Like i said... they don't sound BAD by any means, they're quite enjoyable to listen to. But, they aren't half the speaker that normally inhabits my two-channel rig.

    I may just be expecting too much out of them, but everyone talks them up so much. :)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Backtothe80s
    Backtothe80s Posts: 45
    edited October 2009
    I have a friend who bought some RTA 12c's new back in the mid-80's and run them with a couple of bridged Hafler 500 amps. They're pretty impressive. He still has them today.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited October 2009
    Sell em and trade up to some 10's. Much more mid and alot more low end. I always liked the 7's as they were my first pair of vintage polks, but the 10's do sound ALOT better all around IMO. Sounds like what you are "expecting"

    My buddy has my old 7's and hes got a PSW250 to help "boost" them. Sounds pretty good for a 2.1

    Just another option/opinion.

    Pauly
    Life without music would♭
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited October 2009
    Pauly wrote: »
    Sell em and trade up to some 10's. Much more mid and alot more low end. I always liked the 7's as they were my first pair of vintage polks, but the 10's do sound ALOT better all around IMO. Sounds like what you are "expecting"

    My buddy has my old 7's and hes got a PSW250 to help "boost" them. Sounds pretty good for a 2.1

    Just another option/opinion.

    Pauly

    I may do that eventually..... Currently they're waiting to go spend some time with Nik so he can have some tunes to listen to. :)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2009
    I found 7's to be more balanced and imaged better.
    "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
  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited October 2009
    Face wrote: »
    I found 7's to be more balanced and imaged better.

    I understand that factor. But you hear it all the time, they dont have that "punch" some people crave.
    Life without music would♭
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited October 2009
    Face wrote: »
    I found 7's to be more balanced and imaged better.

    This is what i keep hearing. The imaging isn't bad, and i'm sure it would be better if i had the proper stands.

    But i don't find them too balanced. There's a huge lump in the bass response that occurs no matter where i place them. 1" from the wall or 4 feet from the wall. In a corner, in the middle of the room, wherever. And then right below that lump, not much at all.

    I could tune down the bass some, but at the point where the lump isn't noticeable, i have no bass whatsoever. :p

    If 10s are LESS balanced, that's kindof a big turn off for me already.

    It may just be me, i don't know. I probably won't hang on to them long after Nik is done with them if he doesn't want to buy them, and then i'll be on the search for LS-90s and RTA-15TLs. :D
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2009
    concealer404 wrote: »
    If 10s are LESS balanced, that's kindof a big turn off for me already.

    It may just be me, i don't know. I probably won't hang on to them long after Nik is done with them if he doesn't want to buy them, and then i'll be on the search for RTA-15TLs. :D
    If you like a balanced speaker, you may want to rethink this also.
    "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