Opinions please: Monitor 7 vs. Monitor 10

kjm531

Hi,
Longtime Polk fan but new to the forum. What a great place for info!
I just picked up a pair of nice Monitor 7C's and really enjoy them. Before I upgrade the tweeters and crossovers, I'm wondering if I shouldn't consider a pair of Monitor 10's to see if I like them even better.
I have the power to drive them (Onkyo Integra M-506rs @ 165/ch) and a medium size room to put them into. The 7's are great, but I would like just a bit more on the bottom end.
After reading some reviews I'm concerned about a less detailed midrange than the 7's and I'm not sure that would be a trade-off I could live with for a bit more bass.
Listening is mostly vinyl, some CD. Lots of blues and older rock.
(Muddy Waters, SRV, Steely Dan, Dire Straits etc)
Any opinions from people who have had a chance to A/B these 2 models would be appreciated!!
Thanks

bluecomet

I have 7B's with the peerless tweets and had Monitor 10A's but sold them. I also had 7C's like you have now. All of the Monitor speakers sound good especially with the peerless tweets. From what I experienced I like the Monitor 7's a little better for music. If you ran across Monitor 10A or B with the peerless I would go with it over the 7C's not the 7A or B with the peerless tweets. The tweets do make a differance in my opinion. The 10's have a better base. The 10's have a good mid range when using good equipment. It is the only Polk speaker I found that was enhanced with a 12 band Equalizer. I know EQ's are four letter words around here but that is what I found to be true. It cleared up the any issues with the mids. Sorry for the long post but if you were to keep the 7C's get rid of the Sl2000 tweets and replace them with RDO 194's. It will make a huge improvement on a good speaker.

scottfox

I have a pair of the original Polk 10's, purchased in 1981. Why not get the best of both worlds. Keep your 7's, & supplement with a good subwoofer. I have a 12" HSU filling the bottom end, and it makes a big difference, though mainly on movies. A good sub will increase the bottom end of either speaker, and because it is crossed over in the 60 - 80hz range, the Polk speakers are unburdened trying to produce the bass. It geives them better lower midrange clarity, & more power handling over-all. It also frees up the receiver from trying to produce that bottom end. It's a win-win!

ben62670

I like the 7's more.
Ben

cambir

ben62670 wrote: »

I like the 7's more.
Ben

+1

The 10s do have more bottom end, but I still like the sound of the 7 better.

comfortablycurt

I've never heard the 10's...but I love my Peerless 7's. I've heard many people complain that the 10's have a slightly more smeared mid-range, and don't portray as accurate of a sound stage.

I'd love to get a pair of Peerless 10's sometime, so I can get my own impressions.

cnh

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!

Hoping to hear both of these at Polkfest 2010? Hint...hint..hint....Have heard good things about both...but 'peerless' tweets seem to be essential!

If anyone has these 'please' bring them? Don't plan any purchases till I get my ears on some...and I already have too many speakers!

In the meantime listen to the boys above they know their stuff!

cnh

kjm531

Thanks everyone for the info. Much appreciated!

I'll keep my eyes out for a local pair on CL and give them a shot... the 7C's are darn nice in the meantime, I can hold off on upgrades until I hear a pair of 10's then decide which to keep / upgrade.

Picking up a (CHEAP!) pair of original BA A150's tonight. Wife is out of town for the weekend, and my friend is bringing a pair of Paradigm Export Monitors over Friday night. Should get some quality listening/comparing time in this weekend!:D:D