Are Monitor 4's Worth an Upgrade ???

Crazylitvak
Crazylitvak Posts: 38
edited March 2010 in Vintage Speakers
I finally got a chance to look at the crossovers on my Monitor 4's in anticipation of upgrading the caps and resisitors. To my surprise, there are 2 - 12uf caps & 1- 1ohm K resistor in each one. Now I'm not sure if it's worth spending that kind of money for a speaker with no low end.
Has anyone tried this? I imagine the new caps will bring out a bit more of the low end and smooth out the brightness in the high end.
Post edited by Crazylitvak on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited March 2010
    I wouldn't make that upgrade as I don't think Monitor 4s are worth it. Monitor 4s don't have the sound quality or collectively/historic value of other vintage Polk Monitor speakers; 5, 7. I just don't think its worth the $25 to rebuild them.
    Jake
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paden501
    Paden501 Posts: 286
    edited March 2010
    It really depends on your situation. If you NEED the small size of the monitor 4 for whatever reason (space, etc) then I'm sure that doing the xovers would improve them.. But if you don't have a specific need for such a compact bookshelf, you'd be better off getting some 5s, 7s, CRS, etc and then modifying them instead.
    ~Matt
    My System

    Front L/R: Definitive BP10Bs
    Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As
    Preamp: B&K Reference 20
    CD: Jolida JD100a
    L/R Amp: Carver TFM-24
    Turntable: Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
    TV: Sony 52" XBR9
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bluecomet
    bluecomet Posts: 1,118
    edited March 2010
    My first Polk speakers were Monitor 4's I bought in the late 1980's. I used them for surround speakers and they sounded great. I still have them and they are in mint condition. For the amount of money you would spend on the crossovers, you could find a near mint set. If you were going to make a vintage HT system they would be a welcomed addition as surrounds. They have very good mids and highs for the size.
    Polk HT system 1: LSIC, LSI25 mains, LSI F/X rears, Lsi F/X rear centers,
    Yamaha RX-V2500 System, Carver A753 3 channel amp.

    Polk HT system 2: , SRT system with f/x 1,000's rear speakers on 7.1 system currently using Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver, powered by Sunfire Grand Theater amp

    Polk Speaker collection: SDA SRS 1.2tl x 2, SRT system, SDA SRS 2 P/B, SDA 2A, SDA 1C Studio, SDA CRS+, Monitor 7B & 4, SRS 3.1tl, RTA 15tl, LS90, LSI 9
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2010
    Do them with some cheap caps like Dayton's. It'll cost only about $25 with mills resistors.
    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?PartNumber=027-430
    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?Partnumber=005-1
    It would be worth it for the experience, and SQ upgrade.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crazylitvak
    Crazylitvak Posts: 38
    edited March 2010
    I'll go ahead and upgrade my Monitor 7's w. the SA Clarity Caps and my Monitor 10's with the Sonicaps. I've wanted to experience the difference between those caps. That way I can pull the 12mdf Daytons out of the 7's & 10's and the upgrade will only cost the price of the Mills resistors.
    Thanks for the helpful opinions. The monitor 4's are in mint condition but the original caps are crap.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter