Monitor 5JR+ with dead tweeters!

tx_polkhead
tx_polkhead Posts: 248
edited January 2010 in Vintage Speakers
Finally found a second set of 5JR+'s to fill out my vintage HT and the tweeters are dead as nails! Serves me right for buying them without listening. On the way back from visiting family in south Texas the weekend before Christmas I took a half hour detour to check on the speakers listed in Austin's CL. They looked to be in good shape, but the house was a mess and the wife and kids were in the car, and the price was right... Yep too good to be true, I got them home hooked them up in the bedroom sitting on top of my CRS+ and gave them a listen, took all of 2 seconds to realize something was not right. Pulled the tweeters and, well see for yourself:

DSC04175.JPGhttp://lh4.ggpht.com/_ynjwxMVrtnQ/S0YwWKaZUtI/AAAAAAAAB30/Eu9RvjlNROI/s800/DSC04175.JPG

Two casualties....
So here is my call to my fellow Polk fans, If you have replaced the SL2500's in your speakers and have a set sitting around gathering dust let me know how much you want for them. The 7.1 is on hold yet again.
Thanks
Abel
Polk Audio RTA 12c's, Monitor 7c, Monitor 5JR+, SDA CRS+
Post edited by tx_polkhead on
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  • JohnLocke88
    JohnLocke88 Posts: 1,150
    edited January 2010
    I recently picked up a pair of Monitor 4.6's on the cheap. Same thing; price was right, didn't field test them. Long story short, one of my SL2500s is broken.

    Couple of options I've discovered we have:

    A) SL2500 replacements. May be difficult. Irrespective of their less than stellar reputation (compared to SL3000 and RDO's), they seem to command a price premium on eBay for their rarity. I recently saw one go for $40 plus shipping (just for ONE TWEETER). So, two replacements may be a PITA.

    B) SL3000 replacements. While not necessarily a "sanctioned" replacement, using some reverse logical process, the SL3000 should be a suitable replacement as well. (Both the SL2500 and SL3000 tweeters were replaced by the later RDO-198.) SL3000s are a bit easier to come by (as more people seem to do the SL3000 -> RDO-198 upgrade than the SL2500 -> RDO-198 upgrade.) In your situation the opportunity cost is not as great as it is in mine (It appears that BOTH of your tweeters are shotsky, only one of mine is.)

    C) RDO-198 replacements. The most costly (monetarily) but perhaps easiest in terms of time and effort. As a member of CP, these are $48 shipped each, so two will be approximately $100. Again, this is probably going to double to quadruple your investment in the speakers, so you should determine if the escalation of commitment is worthwhile.

    Good luck. I haven't heard a pair of Monitor 5's, but after hearing the 10s, 7s and now 4.6s (even with one broken tweeter) I've been wanting to get my hands on a pair.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2010
    Just buy the RD-0198.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • tx_polkhead
    tx_polkhead Posts: 248
    edited January 2010
    I was trying to avoid having to spend $100 since these will only be rear surrounds, and with SL2500 they would match the side surrounds. I'll keep an ear out for SL2500. Thanks for the RDO198 sugestions.
    Polk Audio RTA 12c's, Monitor 7c, Monitor 5JR+, SDA CRS+
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2010
    I know, who wouldn't ...just a suggestion.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    I did do a search and there don't seem to be any SL2500's sold almost ever.
    there are some SL3000's for sale in the FS area for $30 each, but I don't know if they are a direct replacement. I would personally go for the RDO-198's. you can always resell the RDO tweeters, if you need, they seem to sell in a couple of days at the most, with min loss.
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  • Poee7R
    Poee7R Posts: 904
    edited January 2010
    I may be able to help you out, TX.

    Im on my way to work now, Ill pm you when I get home.


    Dave
    Once again we meet at last.
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited January 2010
    And/or maybe just keep your eye out for a another cheap set of full speakers that also uses the SL2500 evenn from other models. Ideally real cheap with poor cabinets so you don't feel bad about trashing them or parting them out.
    ____________________
    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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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited January 2010
    I just asked the following question in another thread, but it sees appropriate here since I wish to upgrade a pare of 5Jr+ from SL-2000 to RDO-198 if possible:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1242906&postcount=63

    What is the replacement for the SL-2500? I've been confused over which schematics I can follow to upgrade. I was under the impression that the SL-2500 could be directly replaced by the RDO-198. However, I've seen several threads where the idea of following a SL-2500 schematic as an upgrade path to using the RDO-198 has been denied.
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited January 2010
    By the way, what the heck could have caused that damage to the tweeters? They appear to be rusted like they got wet.
    ____________________
    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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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    Big Dawg wrote: »
    I just asked the following question in another thread, but it sees appropriate here since I wish to upgrade a pare of 5Jr+ from SL-2000 to RDO-198 if possible:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1242906&postcount=63

    What is the replacement for the SL-2500? I've been confused over which schematics I can follow to upgrade. I was under the impression that the SL-2500 could be directly replaced by the RDO-198. However, I've seen several threads where the idea of following a SL-2500 schematic as an upgrade path to using the RDO-198 has been denied.

    the RDO-198 IS THE replacement for the SL2500 and SL3000. Where did you see someone "denying" this upgrade? Someone was confused.
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  • JohnLocke88
    JohnLocke88 Posts: 1,150
    edited January 2010
    kcoc321 wrote: »
    the RDO-198 IS THE replacement for the SL2500 and SL3000. Where did you see someone "denying" this upgrade? Someone was confused.

    +1; SL2500 to RDO-198 is drop in replacement
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited January 2010
    Spend the money now on the RDO-198's and move on. You will be best off that way in the long run.
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  • woodsman10b
    woodsman10b Posts: 408
    edited January 2010
    I have a pair of 7c's that ive been thinking about upgrading the tweeters. Both tweeters work well and look good also. PM me and we can talk about it. tom
    Most of them only hear how loud it sounds, and the rest of us hear everything else - :rolleyes:
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  • tx_polkhead
    tx_polkhead Posts: 248
    edited January 2010
    Poee7R (Dave) sounds good let me know what you find...
    Woodsman10b I'll send you a PM.

    in reponse to:
    They appear to be rusted like they got wet.
    I'm not sure what hapened to them before I got them. There is some kind of moisture, it feels more like oil than water. Now that I think about it the 200 miles in the trunk could have been enough vibration to wigle the magnets off??? Maybe but I think a previous drop was the cause.
    Polk Audio RTA 12c's, Monitor 7c, Monitor 5JR+, SDA CRS+
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2010
    I think the goop may be ferrofluid,used for cooling tweeters.:)
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited January 2010
    kcoc321 wrote: »
    the RDO-198 IS THE replacement for the SL2500 and SL3000. Where did you see someone "denying" this upgrade? Someone was confused.

    I have the 5Jr+ with SL2000 tweeters. The Monitor 5Jr+ Series Two came out using the same passive and same mid (MW6502?), but with the SL2500. The crossovers use the same inductors, but with slightly different caps and resistors. If I follow the Series 2 schematic for the speaker with the SL2500, could I then use the RDO198 instead of the RDO194 in my non-series 2 5Jr+? Face (Mike) says no. All thoughts on this topic very welcome, as I want to order parts and begin upgrading!
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  • Poee7R
    Poee7R Posts: 904
    edited January 2010
    Pm inc TX.

    Sorry, I forgot... haha.


    Dave
    Once again we meet at last.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    Big Dawg wrote: »
    I have the 5Jr+ with SL2000 tweeters. The Monitor 5Jr+ Series Two came out using the same passive and same mid (MW6502?), but with the SL2500. The crossovers use the same inductors, but with slightly different caps and resistors. If I follow the Series 2 schematic for the speaker with the SL2500, could I then use the RDO198 instead of the RDO194 in my non-series 2 5Jr+? Face (Mike) says no. All thoughts on this topic very welcome, as I want to order parts and begin upgrading!

    Hey, Big Dog, how about starting a new thread, all your own regarding this topic.
    I do not know near as much as Face, and I am not going to tell you to go against his advice, But again I think there must be some confusion on your part, or in what you are explaining.

    As far as replacing a SL2500 with a RDO-198, once you have rebuilt the cross over to match the Series II specifications, I can not image that there would be any difference. I personally would like to know as well, as I am going to do the same thing to my Monitor 7's.
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  • Foghead
    Foghead Posts: 1
    edited January 2010
    Was looking for info on a pair of vintage Model 7 polks that I'm considering and I stumbled across this thread. I have a pair of Monitor 5jr+ speakers that I'd be willing to part the tweets, crossovers, and passive radiators out of. PM me here or email me at the address included in my profile and we'll talk.

    Chris
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited January 2010
    kcoc321 wrote: »
    Hey, Big Dog, how about starting a new thread, all your own regarding this topic.

    Yeah, just being lazy. Will do so later tonight.
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