Polk Monitor 10A

KLapinas
KLapinas Posts: 608
edited July 2014 in Speakers
So I have a very nice set of Monitor 10a's that I don't know what I want to with.

I would love your input

A) Leave stock as they sound very nice

B) Upgrade crossovers - probably sound better

C) Sell
Post edited by KLapinas on
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,938
    edited March 2014
    They're "rosewood", too! ;-)

    Any of those three choices could be a good one for you. Replacing XO capacitors will almost certainly make them sound better - it will certainly make them sound different.

    If you don't like 'em, sell 'em. I am biting my tongue not to add: "to me" ;-)
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  • teekay0007
    teekay0007 Posts: 2,289
    edited March 2014
    Those look to be in excellent condition. I would suggest Option (B) - you upgrade the crossovers, as well as the additional (and cheaper!) battery of usual upgrades/modifications (listed all over the place on this forum). Then, you'll likely never want to get rid of them. Each of the changes will add to a cumulative upgrade that is incredible.

    I think Monitor 10s are about the easiest listening speaker I've ever owned.
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  • Malbec
    Malbec Posts: 558
    edited March 2014
    Should you decide option C, I believe we can make that happen.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2014
    Seems to me, no one can answer those questions but you.

    I have a pair of 10As and they're here for "good"!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited March 2014
    They look really really nice. Upgrade the x-overs and have a lot of fun or sell them to a fellow Polkie!!
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited March 2014
    Those appear to be in gorgeous shape and would and do have people drooling here for a pair of those. If it were me do the x-overs. Those are keepers.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited March 2014
    Nice pair.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited March 2014
    And if you want to take them with you, they would make nice caskets, just have to divide you up.
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
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  • KLapinas
    KLapinas Posts: 608
    edited March 2014
    Does anyone have the values handy for the caps?

    If I were to sell these what kind of value do they have?
    Are they worth more with the caps upgraded?
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited March 2014
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?38755-POLK-AUDIO-Speaker-Wiring-Schematics-amp-More-ALL-MODELS-except-SDA
    this page has schematics, but you are going to want to pull the crossovers and read the values from the caps and resistors to be sure of everything.

    Very nice speakers. I would dearly love to have those in my stable.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited March 2014
    The drool on my keys made my fingers go faster.....
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • KLapinas
    KLapinas Posts: 608
    edited March 2014
    Any recommendations for brand of caps and resistors?
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited March 2014
    I used Sonicap Gen 1 and Mills 12W resistors in my RTA 11T, and the results we excellent. It is most likely the most frequent combination recommended here for many older Polks.

    http://www.soniccraft.com/sonicaps.htm

    http://www.soniccraft.com/mills_resistors.htm

    Clarity caps and Mundorf MOX resistors also work well, and Daytons, Solens, and Jantzens are the lower cost caps.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • KLapinas
    KLapinas Posts: 608
    edited March 2014
    I was wondering if anyone would catch that. It was that way when I bought them, I am the second owner.
    nbrowser wrote: »
    Nice speakers, I've got a pair of old Monitor 5s, excellent sound with the Peerless tweeters which is what appears to be in yours(correct me if I'm wrong folks). But the one in the right speaker appears to be mounted...upside down ?
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2014
    KLapinas wrote: »
    I was wondering if anyone would catch that. It was that way when I bought them, I am the second owner.

    Nothing a dollar screw driver can't remedy!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • xjghost
    xjghost Posts: 1,115
    edited March 2014
    Nice looking pair no doubt! I want some 12's someday!
    HT/2Channel: Emotiva MMC-1, Adcom GFA-555II, Polk SDA 3.1's, Teac TN-300 TT, Polk Center and Sub.

    Bedroom system: Carver CT-24, Parasound HCA-800II, Monitor 10's

    Additional projects: RTA 12c's
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  • Malbec
    Malbec Posts: 558
    edited March 2014
    I would open them up and get the values directly off the caps.
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  • KLapinas
    KLapinas Posts: 608
    edited March 2014
    Problem fixed.
    nbrowser wrote: »
    Nice speakers, I've got a pair of old Monitor 5s, excellent sound with the Peerless tweeters which is what appears to be in yours(correct me if I'm wrong folks). But the one in the right speaker appears to be mounted...upside down ?
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,758
    edited March 2014
    Those sure are purdy :) if you decide to keep them & upgrade good luck. If you decide to sell them youll have no problem selling them. Getting harder to find em like that condition nowwa days
    Randy-Maine
    2ch-RTA15tl crossover upgrade
    by David WMG
    Yamaha cr1000 cr2040
    HT-Yamaha Parasound Acurus
    MIT BJC Cs1000p Polk Rotation
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  • bugsnt
    bugsnt Posts: 78
    edited March 2014
    Nice setup... Keep them

    However inquiring minds want to know...
    How do they hold up against your Infinitys ??
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  • KLapinas
    KLapinas Posts: 608
    edited March 2014
    The Polks are nice and easy to listen to for long periods of time. Very laid back and non- fatiguing.
    The Kappa 8's have much more life and dynamics from top to bottom.
    bugsnt wrote: »
    Nice setup... Keep them

    However inquiring minds want to know...
    How do they hold up against your Infinitys ??
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited March 2014
    The crossover upgrade will bring all the life and dynamics you'll ever need to the Monitor 10s. The original NP Electrolytics used in Lo-Pass are well past their prime, and affect the entire bass region. The Mylar and Silver Mica used in the Hi-Pass are mediocre at best, and the Sandcast Resistors suck. Don't know what your budget is, but Sonicaps, with Mills MRA-12 Resistors will bring those puppies to life, very warm and musical. If you like a bit more detail/in your face sound, then Clarity ESAs and Mundorf MOX resistors would suite you. You can also temper the Clarity ESAs with Mills Resistors instead of the Mundorf MOX. Don't forget to clean and treat the fuse blocks with DeoxIT, and possibly consider some of the high-end fuses available instead of the conventional BUSS Fuses.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,151
    edited March 2014
    Dave.....What is the advantage or benefits of using a higher end fuse?
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited March 2014
    Bruce, the fuse is in series with the entire Hi-Pass section. Some can hear the difference between a typical BUSS fuse from the hardware store, and one made specifically for audio. Some can't. I've never heard one of the high-end fuses, so I don't have any ears-on opinion either way. I just mentioned it so the OP knows all his options.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,151
    edited March 2014
    Thanks for the info Dave. I will look into it and perhaps experiment and report back.
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  • KLapinas
    KLapinas Posts: 608
    edited March 2014
    Monitor 10A (9).JPG
    Can anyone tell me if these stands are the originals?
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  • xjghost
    xjghost Posts: 1,115
    edited March 2014
    KLapinas wrote: »
    Monitor 10A (9).JPG
    Can anyone tell me if these stands are the originals?

    I'd say no. Mine were black and at an angle. Unfortunately mine were destroyed by water in a small flood. Fortunately the speakers were not harmed!
    HT/2Channel: Emotiva MMC-1, Adcom GFA-555II, Polk SDA 3.1's, Teac TN-300 TT, Polk Center and Sub.

    Bedroom system: Carver CT-24, Parasound HCA-800II, Monitor 10's

    Additional projects: RTA 12c's
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,938
    edited March 2014
    They are not.
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  • KLapinas
    KLapinas Posts: 608
    edited March 2014
    The stands do have an angle.
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  • KLapinas
    KLapinas Posts: 608
    edited March 2014
    Is there by chance a center that would match up to these?
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