Are there alternate tweeters for the 'Monitor 10's?

Malaka

When it comes time to replace the original tweeters on my Polk Monitor 10 speakers (purchased in the mid 80's), must I go with Polk tweeters, or is there an 'aftermarket' replacement, or other things I can do?

I would be interested in hearing from others who have used other types of tweeters in their 'Monitor Series' Polk speakers.

Thank you.

comfortablycurt

Polk has upgraded tweeters available for purchase.

It depends on what tweeter your 10's have, but you most likely would want the RD0-194-1.

They're a much better sounding tweeter than the originals.

Can you post some pics to verify what tweeter yours have?

geppy1

He is right it depnds on what you have. It also depends on there condition and what your system is like and most of all, what your ears like. I and some others find the RD0194s overly detuned but they work very well for many others. The fact that Polk offers something for a replacement is very cool. keith

Scooterp7

Are the RD0-194-1 tweeters still available? I've tried searching the site, but to no avail.


Also, is this a good route to go for a pair of 7C's or is there a better alternative?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Monitor-5-7-RTA-8T-Upgrade-Kit_W0QQitemZ260510052855QQcategoryZ3276QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%252BP%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BIIUM%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63


TIA

Scooterp7

Scooterp7 wrote: »

Are the RD0-194-1 tweeters still available? I've tried searching the site, but to no avail.


Also, is this a good route to go for a pair of 7C's or is there a better alternative?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Monitor-5-7-RTA-8T-Upgrade-Kit_W0QQitemZ260510052855QQcategoryZ3276QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%252BP%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BIIUM%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63


TIA

Okay, ignore my 2nd question as I've found a satisfactory thread on that subject.

Hamatym

After hearing many many different monitors/SRS's with SL2000's, MY opinion is thumbs up for the RDO194's. They are much smoother, especially the loader they are played:) I do like the SL2000 better for lower volume listening (example- Bedroom TV)

Some people hear dis those upgrade kits from ebay, but I personally love them and notice a nice upgrade from stock. Depends on your likes in the end, but again this is my experience and I hope the 1.5 cents helps

backsigns

I recently ordered the sl2000 tweeters from Polk and the guy I talked to said the SL2000's they sell are the RD0-194-1 tweeters.

leroyjr1

backsigns wrote: »

I recently ordered the sl2000 tweeters from Polk and the guy I talked to said the SL2000's they sell are the RD0-194-1 tweeters.

No, different sound different tweeter.

backsigns

Then Polk Audio is telling me lies. I told the guy I wanted the 194's and he sid that was the item number or something, but that they were called the sl2000.

leroyjr1

backsigns wrote: »

Then Polk Audio is telling me lies. I told the guy I wanted the 194's and he sid that was the item number or something, but that they were called the sl2000.

The RDO-194 is the replacement for the SL2000 which happens to sound better than the original. ( less harsh)

backsigns

I know this. I am just telling you what I was told by someone at Polk Audio when I ordered them last week. I did not want the sl2000's, which is why I asked about the 194's and was told what I was told. I hope the silk domes come on Weds., but if not, then I will probably send them back because I have always found the sl2000's to be too harsh.

jimbo1421

SL2000 is Polk's model number, RDO-194 is their part number. Around CP they are known by the part number to distinguish them from the original SL2000 from the 1980s. They are quite different looking and sounding.

Jim

backsigns

Thanks for the clarification!!

mhardy6647

There's a good thread here on the panoply of vintage Polk Monitor tweeters

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25377&highlight=identifying+tweeters

Come to think of it, that thread (from my perspective) should be a sticky!

Scooterp7

So I guess my question about them being available is yes. Do I call to order or is there a website that I order them from? TIA.

gdb

If by any chance your tweeters are Peerless, this place sells reproductions of them in both 4 & 8 ohm versions. Member Madmike got some a while ago but I haven't seen his review of them yet. Link below:

https://www.midwestspeaker.com/onlineshopping.asp

(navigate to tweeter page, items MT-4115-8 & MT-4115-8 )

backsigns

Scooterp7 wrote: »

So I guess my question about them being available is yes. Do I call to order or is there a website that I order them from? TIA.

You have to call them to order. They are about 2 years away from web ordering:)

geppy1

Well after Saturday nights listening I cannot do the 2000s. They are not coming off as harsh to me just cold or something. I once again ordered 194 (because I am stupid and like losing money) I am going to give it one more shot. My thinking is i can deal with them better and maybe a crossover rebuild will help. I wonder if anyone has ever put Peerless or SL1000s in a 1c?? I know the opening would have to have a plate made but wonder if anyone has ever tried it?? keith

Scooterp7

backsigns wrote: »

You have to call them to order. They are about 2 years away from web ordering:)

Perfect. That's exactly what I needed to know.

geppy1 wrote: »

I once again ordered 194 (because I am stupid and like losing money)

Are we brothers?:p

geppy1 wrote: »

I wonder if anyone has ever put Peerless or SL1000s in a 1c?? I know the opening would have to have a plate made but wonder if anyone has ever tried it?? keith

For my case, having the 7C's, it is my understanding that I have the SL2000 and only the silk dome RDO's will work. If this is not necessarily the case and if it is possible to install the Peerless (slightly better sounding then the RDO's according to most) after some modification, someone chime in I'm all ears. However, I am also of the impression that those Peerless are no longer available except, used, thru channels like ebay, CL, etc...,. Again if I'm wrong, let me know.

Malaka

Thank you all for your responses. Very informative!

While on the subject, I had an acquaintance who hooked up 'Realistic super tweeters' (they sold them back in the 80's, 90's) in parallel with his 'Monitor 7' speakers, and they sounded even more amazing! He actually pointed them outwards to increase the soundstage a bit. Don't know if his Carver amplifier lasted too long though, given the very low impedance this would create!

mhardy6647

The aforementioned Realistic supertweeters (Fostex "bullet" horn OEM drivers, most likely) are even better if the cheap/chintzy NP electrolytic crossover cap is replaced with a decent-quality capacitor (and, ideally, with the first-order XO frequency moved up even higher).