Any current Polks sound like my old Monitor 7B?

lmacmil
lmacmil Posts: 119
edited February 2010 in Speakers
I want to upgrade my HT speakers. I have Monitor 7Bs in my stereo since about 1984. Wondering if anything current has a similar sound. If so, I would put the 7Bs in the HT system temporarily to see if I like the sound.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,142
    edited January 2010
    lmacmil wrote: »
    7Bs in the HT system temporarily to see if I like the sound.

    Try it.
    I ran 10B's in my H/T and was really amazed at how good they performed. Set them to "Large" on your receiver if it has that option.
    Enjoy and welcome to Club Polk.:)
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2010
    Not similar sounding but the RTiA series speakers are great for HT and will be a big step up from your monitor 7's.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited January 2010
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Not similar sounding but the RTiA series speakers are great for HT and will be a big step up from your monitor 7's.

    I don't think so..............but then we all have our "idea" what "big step up" means.

    To answer the OP's question..............no there is no current Polk that has a similar sound to the "classic" Monitor line.

    Now if you are looking for a nice HT speaker, then leroyjr1 is correct, the RTiA series is very nice in HT applications.

    But, no they will not sound much like your Monitor 7's. Try the 7's in your HT.

    Good luck

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I don't think so..............but then we all have our "idea" what "big step up" means.

    To answer the OP's question..............no there is no current Polk that has a similar sound to the "classic" Monitor line.

    Now if you are looking for a nice HT speaker, then leroyjr1 is correct, the RTiA series is very nice in HT applications.

    But, no they will not sound much like your Monitor 7's. Try the 7's in your HT.

    Good luck

    H9


    Tried out my Monitor 10's- 7's and 5's in my HT setup and it just doesn't have it for HT. Now if someone was setting up a budget 2 channel rig then I'd say the Monitor 7's hands down. My RTi's was much more dynamic and detailed but then again they're 10x's the price of the Vintage Monitor speakers.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited January 2010
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Tried out my Monitor 10's- 7's and 5's in my HT setup and it just doesn't have it for HT. Now if someone was setting up a budget 2 channel rig then I'd say the Monitor 7's hands down. My RTi's was much more dynamic and detailed but then again they're 10x's the price of the Vintage Monitor speakers.


    I have no doubt you like them and perhaps the new Polks do a "better" job in HT to some people ears.

    The original manufacturer pricing then compared to today's RTiA's is not 10X.

    M5's were around $500/pr
    M7's were around $575/pr
    M10's were around $740/pr.

    So unless you have $5000, $5750, or $7400 invested in your RTiA's I'd say you're a bit off :p;) :) It's not fair to compare used vs. new pricing for items that have close to a 20 year span between them.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited January 2010
    Wow! :eek: Has there really been that much inflation since the 80's?
    I wish my salary would have kept up with that rate. :rolleyes:
    ____________________
    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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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I have no doubt you like them and perhaps the new Polks do a "better" job in HT to some people ears.

    The original manufacturer pricing then compared to today's RTiA's is not 10X.

    M5's were around $500/pr
    M7's were around $575/pr
    M10's were around $740/pr.

    So unless you have $5000, $5750, or $7400 invested in your RTiA's I'd say you're a bit off :p;) :) It's not fair to compare used vs. new pricing for items that have close to a 20 year span between them.

    H9



    10x meaning what you can buy either for right now.
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  • lmacmil
    lmacmil Posts: 119
    edited January 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    M5's were around $500/pr
    M7's were around $575/pr
    M10's were around $740/pr.

    I paid $400/pr for my 7Bs in January 1982. The CPI was 94 vs 217 now so the inflation adjusted price would be $923/pr which is about the same as an RTiA5 pair.

    Today, I'm too cheap and too old to pay $900 for speakers. :D
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited January 2010
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    10x meaning what you can buy either for right now.

    I'm sorta busting your balls ;). But really price has nothing to do with it unless one has a very limited budget.

    I say he try the 7's in his HT and then if he's underwhelmed, then look into the RTiA's as I have no doubt they would be an excellent choice for HT.

    If the the OP is going to split HT/2CH music then I'd really try to make the Monitor 7's work because, IMO, the M7's are a lot better for music.

    Good luck

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited January 2010
    I'm sure this may have been answered already in other threads, but since its essentially on topic for this one...If using Vintage Monitor's in a multi-channel HT setup, what would you use as a center?
    ____________________
    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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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2010
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    I'm sure this may have been answered already in other threads, but since its essentially on topic for this one...If using Vintage Monitor's in a multi-channel HT setup, what would you use as a center?

    I've seen many use the regular monitor speaker as a center. When I was messing around with my monitors for HT I used two monitor 4's. Since many use the CS-350 for the SDA's I wonder if they would also work for the Monitor lines.
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  • lmacmil
    lmacmil Posts: 119
    edited January 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    If the the OP is going to split HT/2CH music then I'd really try to make the Monitor 7's work because, IMO, the M7's are a lot better for music.

    The M7Bs will remain with the stereo (in a different room from the TV). My only point in asking was whether I could get a feel for current Polks using my 7Bs temporarily with the HT setup. The answer seems to be no (and that doesn't surprise me) so I won't even bother moving them.

    I'll just watch the Polk Ebay store and a couple other sites for some leftover Rti6s. If I can't find those, then I'll probably go with the Monitor 40s. I'm not willing to spend retail for the current lineup, besides my wife doesn't need any more jewelry! :p
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  • Hoosierbronco
    Hoosierbronco Posts: 60
    edited February 2010
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    I'm sure this may have been answered already in other threads, but since its essentially on topic for this one...If using Vintage Monitor's in a multi-channel HT setup, what would you use as a center?

    I know for the 10B's , Polk suggests the CSiA6.

    So I bought a CSi5 of ebay for less than 1/2 of what an A6 costs. Have not recieved it yet.
    Because of that recommendation , I'm putting off my search for RTiA3's and will look at updateing my 10's with the newer RDO tweeters that I keep hearing about.

    I'll see if I can find that link ...
    http://www.polkaudio.com/education/showanswer.php?question_num=63
    Plasma : Panny 54G25
    Receiver : antique Sony :mad:
    BD/DVD/CD : OPPO BDP 93
    Fronts : Polk Monitor 10B
    Center : CSi5
    no rears yet , no sub ... Looking at RTia3's first then 9's and a NAD T 747 ... maybe
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited February 2010
    lmacmil wrote: »
    The M7Bs will remain with the stereo <> then I'll probably go with the Monitor 40s. <>:p

    I have 7B's, & I "Had" M 50's, and I sold them. They just didn't compare to the MON 7b's. and I have not even upgraded the Xovers or Tweeters yet.
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