New Vintage Polks!

Zitro
Zitro Posts: 864
edited January 2010 in The Clubhouse
Hey guys,

I was browsing Craigslist and came across an ad for speakers, but with no brand name or model listed. There was a picture, and from the back I could instantly recognize it as a Polk Monitor Series. She was asking $20! I went to go check them out, and they are the Monitor 5jr's. I know little of these, but for $20, I figured, what the hell? Haven't been able to hook them up and won't be for a couple days (I'm visiting family), so I wanted to ask: good find or no? I hadn't heard much about these particular monitors, as everyone seems to talk about the 7's and 10's. Looks decent enough, and pretty heavy for a little monitor. How do they sound? If they're not good, well, it was only $20 and well worth satifsying my curiosity.

- Jeremy
- Jeremy

Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
Post edited by Zitro on
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Comments

  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited December 2009
    Well worth $20+.

    Not on the same level (in my opinion of course) as the 7s, but a decent sounding speaker. You'd be surprised at what can come out of those little boxes. :)
    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

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    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
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  • Rivrrat
    Rivrrat Posts: 2,101
    edited December 2009
    For 20 bucks you stole them.
    My equipment sig felt inadequate and deleted itself.
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  • raidersrule76
    raidersrule76 Posts: 471
    edited December 2009
    they would make good surround speakers. YES for 20 you did indeed steal them!!!!

    Mark
    Sig to be updated after dealing with the insurance company:(:(:(
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  • anton.chigurh
    anton.chigurh Posts: 239
    edited December 2009
    They've got sweet mids. They alone are easily worth more than you payed if in good working order.
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  • rayslifecycle
    rayslifecycle Posts: 511
    edited December 2009
    nice score!

    What tweeter do they have?
    http://rayslifecycle.blogspot.com/
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited December 2009
    Were those the ones laying on their sides and all you could see of them was the back? If so, I've been watching them for about a month. Glad to see a Polkie picked them up. Congrats on a great buy.
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2009
    Good speakers, and $20 is highway robbery for them.
    Jake
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited December 2009
    20.00 bucks? dayum, you couldnt have done better if you took them by knifepoint. yeah they're not 7's but for a mini monitor, they kick serious balls! heck, if a driver was broke it would be worth it to fix for what little you have in them now
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited December 2009
    domflane wrote: »
    Were those the ones laying on their sides and all you could see of them was the back? If so, I've been watching them for about a month. Glad to see a Polkie picked them up. Congrats on a great buy.

    These were different ones, just listed today. They need a bit cleaning up, but they do work. Not sure on the tweeters; will post pics tomorrow. I hooked them up to cheapo surround sound receiver, and I liked the way they sounded. Neutral response, warm open midrange, and there was none of the midbass hump most monitors I've heard has. Only thing I don't like is they sound a bit "hollow" to me, if you know what I mean. I don't know if that is just the character of the speaker of it it needs some TLC. I'll probably open it up and check out the crossovers, and I wouldn't mind fixing them up if need be. Something cool about owning vintage speakers :) Either way, I like them, especially for $20.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2009
    Can you post some pics?
    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
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited December 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Can you post some pics?

    Tomorrow, will do.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • woodsman10b
    woodsman10b Posts: 408
    edited December 2009
    Zitro wrote: »
    These were different ones, just listed today. They need a bit cleaning up, but they do work. Not sure on the tweeters; will post pics tomorrow. I hooked them up to cheapo surround sound receiver, and I liked the way they sounded. Neutral response, warm open midrange, and there was none of the midbass hump most monitors I've heard has. Only thing I don't like is they sound a bit "hollow" to me, if you know what I mean. I don't know if that is just the character of the speaker of it it needs some TLC. I'll probably open it up and check out the crossovers, and I wouldn't mind fixing them up if need be. Something cool about owning vintage speakers :) Either way, I like them, especially for $20.

    The 'hollow' sound is most likely due to the 'cheapo receiver' imo.
    Most of them only hear how loud it sounds, and the rest of us hear everything else - :rolleyes:
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited December 2009
    woodsman10b wrote: »
    The 'hollow' sound is most likely due to the 'cheapo receiver' imo.

    That's what I'm hoping; it was also hooked up using home depot speaker wire lol. That's all that was at their house. We'll see what happens when I get home and hook it up to my NAD system.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited December 2009
    Since a couple of members asked for pics, and wanted to know what tweeters they have. So..what tweeters are these? lol
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,426
    edited December 2009
    Tweeters are SL2000. If you are so inclined, the RD0-194 is a highly thought of upgrade/replacement you can order from Polk. Mention you're a Club Polk member and the price is $48 per tweeter, shipped free to Orlando.

    Enjoy them!

    Jay
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • jimbo1421
    jimbo1421 Posts: 772
    edited December 2009
    Quick, squirt some DeOxit on that fuse and fuse holder. It really does make a difference.

    Jim
    5.1 System:
    TCL R613 55" 4K
    Front: SRS-3.1TL
    Center: CS400i
    Surround: Monitor 10B
    PSW10 subwoofer
    Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
    NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
    Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
    Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
    Parasound P3 pre-amp
    Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
    2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

    2.0 Office System:
    Monitor 10A (Peerless)
    Outlaw 1050 receiver
    Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
    MacPro
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  • xj4094dg
    xj4094dg Posts: 1,158
    edited December 2009
    jimbo1421 wrote: »
    Quick, squirt some DeOxit on that fuse and fuse holder. It really does make a difference.

    Jim

    Will the Deoxit Cell phone kit work the same? Its only 5 bucks at Frys
    "The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." Neil deGrasse Tyson.
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  • jimbo1421
    jimbo1421 Posts: 772
    edited December 2009
    I don't know what the difference is. I use this stuff.

    http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104746

    Jim
    5.1 System:
    TCL R613 55" 4K
    Front: SRS-3.1TL
    Center: CS400i
    Surround: Monitor 10B
    PSW10 subwoofer
    Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
    NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
    Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
    Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
    Parasound P3 pre-amp
    Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
    2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

    2.0 Office System:
    Monitor 10A (Peerless)
    Outlaw 1050 receiver
    Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
    MacPro
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited December 2009
    jimbo1421 wrote: »
    Quick, squirt some DeOxit on that fuse and fuse holder. It really does make a difference.

    Jim

    What does this do? And what is this fuse even for/ can it be replaced?
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • jimbo1421
    jimbo1421 Posts: 772
    edited December 2009
    Deoxit cleans off the corrosion which is quite evident in the picture. The fuse protects the tweeter from overloads.

    Jim
    5.1 System:
    TCL R613 55" 4K
    Front: SRS-3.1TL
    Center: CS400i
    Surround: Monitor 10B
    PSW10 subwoofer
    Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
    NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
    Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
    Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
    Parasound P3 pre-amp
    Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
    2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

    2.0 Office System:
    Monitor 10A (Peerless)
    Outlaw 1050 receiver
    Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
    MacPro
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited January 2010
    jimbo1421 wrote: »
    Deoxit cleans off the corrosion which is quite evident in the picture. The fuse protects the tweeter from overloads.

    Jim

    Ok, thank you sir. Will look into it.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited January 2010
    So anyone have some info on these speakers? Ohms? Wattage capacity? I have found a few different things online, and none of them are consistent...I want to see if I can run them off my NAD (I believe it is 4 ohm stable, will have to check when I get home). Curious to see how these 25 year old speakers compare to my 3 month old M30's.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • anton.chigurh
    anton.chigurh Posts: 239
    edited January 2010
    They're super easy to drive. The NAD will do great.
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,426
    edited January 2010
    No such thing as too many watts, just keep the volume at a less-than-ridiculous level. Your NAD will drive them capably.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited January 2010
    Sweet deal-Congrats!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited January 2010
    Nice find. I picked up a pair of 5jr+'s recently but since one driver was bad I haven't had a chance to give them a listen yet.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited January 2010
    Wow...so...I hooked these babies up and actually enjoy their sound a lot more (especially on acoustic recordings), at over 25 years old, to my brand new PSW10 and M30's..without the sub, just straight 2 channel. I haven't even touched them, checked the xover, anything. Feel stupid for wasting my money on the other Polks now! Viva vintage speakers!
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited January 2010
    I wish I would have picked up the Monitor 5b's I saw for sale on CL for $25...I didn't know much about Polk then and thought they were just old speakers... little did I know vintage monitors sounded so good!
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited January 2010
    The setup of my Monitor 5jr's.....replaced M30's and a PSW10: no need for a sub with these in my room. Sound soooo much better. Pretty good shape too, for their age and considering I paid $20 for them. Too bad I found them after I paid $200 just 2 months ago for the other Polks...

    Might look into shorter stands..these 31" stands are a tad too tall for such a large speaker.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    I have the same ones in my rear surrounds...and I too replaced my Monitor 30's with them.
    I jokingly call mine "4.8's" since they are in between size for the 'regular' 5jr that have the 6.5" PRs and the Monitor 4.6's.
    I got mine new in 1985.

    Regarding your specs question, I dug up the 1985 brochure
    Frequency Response: 30Hz-26kHz
    Recom.Assoc.Amp: 10-100wpc
    Crossover Freq: 3000Hz
    Nomimal Impedance: 4ohm
    Maxium Output Level: 110dB
    Efficiency: 92dB
    Price Each: (1985) $124.95
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