Pair Rare Birds: VS25

kcoc321

posted on Seattle CL for $50
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ele/1495473154.html

Polk Audio VS25 (Video Shielded) speakers, Polks first magnetically shielded speakers for Home Theater use.
If desired, the bases can easily be unscrewed from the speakers.

Great sounding speakers and in good shape.

1 pair of speakers:
8.5"W x 11"D x 21"H (37"H with base)

1" soft dome tweeter (looks like a SL1500??)
2- 6.5" woofers (MWxxxx? PR?)
6 ohm
125 Watts Max
frequency response: 26Hz-25,000Hz
max output: 113dB
efficiency: 95dB

Libertyc

Seems like a very good deal if you need them!

kcoc321

Need...hehe..No I have 6 pairs needing upgrading....just have never seen them before...
there is only a could of references here even...

Conradicles

Interesting, 1st time I have seen that model I think. Unique polks.

kcoc321

BTW those stats are from the CL add, so I can't verify the "26hZ" low response...seems a bit low for that small a speaker.

comfortablycurt

You don't see those too often.

As far as I know, those were basically the models the replaced the vintage Monitor series.

Those look nearly Identical to 5Jr+'s...but with an SL-5000(?) tweeter instead of the normal SL-1000/2000/2500.


Also, I'm calling BS on the 26hz output rating...lol

kcoc321

comfortablycurt wrote: »

>>>
Those look nearly Identical to 5Jr+'s...but with an SL-5000(?) tweeter instead of the normal SL-1000/2000/2500.
Also, I'm calling BS on the 26hz output rating...lol

They are close, here is a picture comparing the 2.


from this thread: >post#9
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75387&highlight=vs25

"Closed system using a 6 1/2" low flux leakage bass midrange driver, a 6 1/2" subass radiator, a 7/8" low flux leakage soft dome tweeter, and isophase crossover in a 1.2 cubic foot cabinet. 22 3/8" High x 8 1/2" Wide x 11 3/8" Deep" From above thread......Although the spec sheet 'there says " 1 inch polymer dome tweeter..

It does actually say "26hZ (I think, it's alittle blurry) on the Polk Liturature.....hmmmm...
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36946&d=1228767059

concealer404

comfortablycurt wrote: »

You don't see those too often.

As far as I know, those were basically the models the replaced the vintage Monitor series.

Those look nearly Identical to 5Jr+'s...but with an SL-5000(?) tweeter instead of the normal SL-1000/2000/2500.


Also, I'm calling BS on the 26hz output rating...lol

That's not what these are....they're Polk's first HT speaker. They're magnetically shielded.

And that 26hz output rating is pretty feasible.

I had a pair, and they keep popping up on my local CL, i've been trying to snipe them back for a few months.

$50 is a STEAL for these things. They absolutely blow 5jr+s out of the water, and yeah.. they might LOOK identical, but they're FAR bigger. These are not your daddy's bookshelves.

concealer404

kcoc321 are those local to you?

kcoc321

concealer404 wrote: »

kcoc321 are those local to you?

Yeah, they are about 45 minutes away...
I replied to his ad, see if I get a response before they are sold.

dorokusai

I'd leave them on Craigslist.

kcoc321

dorokusai wrote: »

I'd leave them on Craigslist.

WHy do you say that Doro?

concealer404

They're a little strange sounding. I don't think that the crossover was really optimized for what they're really capable of. Something seemed a little strange with the high frequencies to me.

I want another pair to experiment with. I was pretty impressed with this other than the slightly harsh highs.

kcoc321, if you get them and don't like them, decide to move them on, let me know. I'm calling dibs now. I think they would sound great with some tubes.

concealer404

More info:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69681

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49741

dorokusai

kcoc321 wrote: »

WHy do you say that Doro?

They sound terrible compared to other models available in that decade.

concealer404

dorokusai wrote: »

They sound terrible compared to other models available in that decade.

Hahaa, you could say that i guess.

I liked them a lot better than 5jr+s, but not as well as 7s.

dorokusai

I like the smaller Monitor 5 and 5jr+....weird huh? It's just different ears and the like. They're certainly rare and if they're minty, I would pick them up but ONLY if they were mint condition. I've got too much gear to be wasting time with another side project.

I have some original sales literature on them in my secret library....behind the closet door.

kcoc321

What's the requirement to get into that "secret closet"? I would love to get a copy.
I am going over there this afternoon. We'll see what they look like. & sound like.

concealer404

dorokusai wrote: »

I like the smaller Monitor 5 and 5jr+....weird huh? It's just different ears and the like. They're certainly rare and if they're minty, I would pick them up but ONLY if they were mint condition. I've got too much gear to be wasting time with another side project.

I have some original sales literature on them in my secret library....behind the closet door.

The highs are pretty harsh on these at high volume, i definitely won't argue that, they even sound a little brittle. But they're VERY crisp, i want to see what they would sound like on some tubes.

concealer404

kcoc321 wrote: »

What's the requirement to get into that "secret closet"? I would love to get a copy.
I am going over there this afternoon. We'll see what they look like. & sound like.

Pick them up if they work, it's zero risk for you. If you don't like them, you get your money back through me.

kcoc321

Will DO. I love my 7's, even before xover upgrades and have not added the new tweeters (still have SL2000's) I am thinkin a Peerless tweeter might sound good in these, when I have the $$, probably after Xmas. Saw some on Ebay that have a square face plate. Hopefully they would fit. We'll see

concealer404

You don't want a Peerless in there, different crossover values. Update to the RDOs.

The VS-25s aren't in the same league as 7s... so don't be expecting anything crazy out of them.

kcoc321

IS there a RDO match for what 'looks like' a SL1500? I was also thinkin I would check with CS ater I got them. I actually photo shopped a RDO-194 in there, but they look too big and out of proportion on them.

These already have a 4.0 Resister, at least according to the wiring diagram. so they are already 'almost' within the 10% of the "peerless" resister on the 5a's, anyway, which I seem to remember was a 4.7

Kindof getting ahead of ourselves, let's see if they are any good. First.

kcoc321

Well I did pick them up. Not in too bad of shape. Couple of corner dings, but not anything a sharpe couldn't cover up. They were fairly dirty, but cleanup seems to be coming along.

The bottom pieces of LDP (carpenter term is Rangerboard, softer than actual MDF or HDF) have become a bit warped, (no spikes or even bumpers, probally sitting on concrete floors, and one corner of the edge band is pealed and busted, but not too hard a repair, just needs a new piece of Melomine. I don't need to use the bases anyway right now, so not a problem. At some point (read wamer times) I may even make some nice veneered thicker bases or even granite base plates for them, as I got some free 3cm granite slabs off of CL, and have a granite installer who "owes me" for some work I did for him.

Sorry C404, I think I will play with them a bit. I would like to know what modification you were thinkin of making to the x-over though???One thing to note is that the internal volume is actually very close to a Mon 5 (VS-25 = 0.876cf vs Mon 5 0.854cf), but of course they have the MW6504 vs the MW6502 in the Monitor series.

Sound decent, have only had on quick 'real' listening session neighbors, don't you know.
The tweeters function 'OK' for HT & 'normal' listening levels. A bit harsh during electric guitar solo (David GIlmore alblum, where the lead 'jams' some out) On the other hand, I would not want to lose the crispness of Lorenna McKennit's voice either.

One disappointment on the production end of things, these are the first speakers I have seen first hand, where the dado for the drivers doesn't fit the actual driver, ie the cutout for the tweeter is 5mm bigger than the actual tweeter used, as well as the cutout's corner radius is much larger than the tweeter flange. (see pic above) Makes me almost wonder if there was a different tweeter these were designed for??? On the Mon 4 (they use the same tweeter) the cutout 'fits' the flange.

Also have to check and see if there is a 'better' replacement tweeter. I'll let you know what I come up with.

concealer404

kcoc321 wrote: »

Sorry C404, I think I will play with them a bit. I would like to know what modification you were thinkin of making to the x-over though???One thing to note is that the internal volume is actually very close to a Mon 5 (VS-25 = 0.876cf vs Mon 5 0.854cf), but of course they have the MW6504 vs the MW6502 in the Monitor series.

One disappointment on the production end of things, these are the first speakers I have seen first hand, where the dado for the drivers doesn't fit the actual driver, ie the cutout for the tweeter is 5mm bigger than the actual tweeter used, as well as the cutout's corner radius is much larger than the tweeter flange. (see pic above) Makes me almost wonder if there was a different tweeter these were designed for??? On the Mon 4 (they use the same tweeter) the cutout 'fits' the flange.

Also have to check and see if there is a 'better' replacement tweeter. I'll let you know what I come up with.

You'll have to take a picture of the production niggles... i don't remember anything like that...

As for the mods, i was going to rebuild the crossovers as a start and see what that got me. These are fairly old, and i doubt that all the caps are doing their job correctly.

I hadn't gotten around to researching a tweeter replacement yet.

Glad you're going to play with them! I'm hoping my old set will pop up on CL one last time.

kcoc321

Here is a picture of the tweeter, with the production 'niggles'. The first one is actually yours. The 2nd one is from my speakers. Actually I see that the tweeters you had match the PE versions. Mine have the smaller diffraction cone. Hmmm, now I will have to see what other SL1500's look like from Polk. Maybe mine are the 'odd-man' out??

I also included a drawing I did. What is readily apparent, to me, is the gap between the tweeter flange and the baffle cutout. I get it from a production stand point, they did not want to change over to a different, smaller router bit, but it would only would have taken a second to "WAP" (sound effect..hehe) out the corner with a 1/8" radius bit.... and they would have fit perfectly.

C404's pic:


KC VS-25 tweeter


see thumbnail for full size picture and drawing. Sorry, just noticed the last pic is alittle blurry. I will upload new ones once I have had a chance to finish cleaning them...:)

concealer404

They still look identical to me, man...

nikolas812

That tweeter cut out defiantly looks odd. Every Polk I've owned or speaker for that matter. Always had a cut out that matched the tweeter exactly.

If thats a factory deal. I'm wondering why these ever went into production. Was Polk just in a hurry to get a HT speaker that was shielded on the market?

I would like to know more about these elusive Polks I've never heard of..


Nik

concealer404

nikolas812 wrote: »

That tweeter cut out defiantly looks odd. Every Polk I've owned or speaker for that matter. Always had a cut out that matched the tweeter exactly.

If thats a factory deal. I'm wondering why these ever went into production. Was Polk just in a hurry to get a HT speaker that was shielded on the market?

I would like to know more about these elusive Polks I've never heard of..


Nik

Yeah, it's a factory deal. I'm not sure what the idea behind it was. They've got grills anyways.

I'm still 100% convinced that we had the same tweeters, though.

Nik, i'm going to keep looking for another pair. I want to see how they sound on your amp. I think these things were made for tubes. I haven't seen any polks now that i think about it with an efficiency rating this high.

kcoc321

Ok, did some research. on the other speakers that use this tweeter, 4a, __ they used a 12uF, while this xover has a 5.8uF....Can anyone speak too why, and what the symptoms of have a 'smaller' cap in the tweeter circuit would cause?

I am also on a search to a better tweeter, but its pretty tight fit.

RuSsMaN

You guys are awesome. No one really cares about the oop VS series, but you're making them as legit as possible. I'm sure it's coming across wrong, but it's not intended that way - but kcoc is making the 'Video Shielded' series his ****. Pm me your addy, I've got an OLD Stereophile ad for this series around here somewhere I'll send you. Maybe you can hit a Polkfest in the future and get it signed and framed proper.

Cheers,
Rooster