Building a pair of Polk Monitor 10's

Well, the weekend again and I think I can call this project done. I have one last task to recess the tweeters. Up to now I had surface mounted the RDO-194-1 tweeters. This was ok but gave the project an unfinished look.

The tweeter has a very small lip. I didn't want to recess the entire tweeter but I knew making a recess to fit the lip was going to take a very precise template that I do not have the ability to create.



A very nice forum member (deucekazoo) contacted me and said he could make me a template for the sl2000. He cut out a couple trials, one exactly the same size and another that was slightly larger than the lip. After a couple trials, the template that was just a bit larger worked well.




Using the router with the prescribed collar and bit, I cut a recess the same thickness as lip, 5/32" or just over 1/8" deep.

The tweeter was tight but better tight than loose. They turned out great.



So if you are in need of a templet for the SL 2000/RDO 194-1 Tweeter, drop a line to deucekazoo. I'm sure he can fix you up for a fee. I'm putting mine in my template drawer for the next pair of tweeters.
This was my first DIY speaker project. My initial concept was flawed and I want to thank all the members that guided me to a great pair of speakers. I had one forum member ask what would I do different if I did this again...

First, I will not do this project again. This was a blast but this took more weekends than I have for a pair of speakers. I have learned a great deal about how speakers function, what makes one speaker better than another, and most importantly what not to do: So let me share some mistakes I made, lessons I learned and what is next.

First, what is different in my project than the originals.

The box is made from MDF not particle board.
The front and back are 1" thickness, the sides 3/4". The originals are 3/4" all around.
My tweeters are 1" higher than the originals to give room for a horizontal brace above (and below) the drivers for stability.
The originals have a "baffle/support" that sits between the drivers and runs from the back to the front. I would say this is more for support for the weakest part of the front, but could also separate the drivers. Mine do not have this baffle because I put my crossovers in the wrong location behind the drivers. The original Crossovers are behind the PR.
I used 1/8" real wood veneer for aesthetics. The originals have a vinyl wrap.

Now for the next projects:

Though these are beautiful, I would not use wood veneer on my next pair of DIY's. Mainly because of cost and effort. I have done it once but I will use a quality textured vinyl wrap on the next pair and concentrate more on the sound than the aesthetics.
I highly recommend the purchase of new drivers and tweeters. Vintage is nice but you risk ending up with drivers at different stages of degradation. In my case, I have had to replace one MW6503 with a MW6510. It does make a difference. Though one driver did lock up on me due to mishandling, another has a dragging issue and can sound bad at higher volumes. So buy new drivers.
Don't get creative with the sound batting, you will only diminish the sound. Keep it original.
If you update the crossovers, understand there is a burn-in period. I was so disappointed when I first heard the speakers but now after 30-40 hours of playing, they are incredible.
I have also come to the conclusion that Monitor 10's are great speakers but I am looking forward to finishing the 7's. There is a definite opinion that 10's have some flaws. I have a pair of 5's and have always loved them. I compared them to my new Monitor 10's, they are respectable and with a little work, they could be just as good as the 10's
And lastly: Don't post a picture of your audio system on an audiophile forum. They will rip you a new one...

So, again, thank you all for your help. I am so very pleased with the results and these speakers are incredible! They sound better than the originals and have become the flagship of my collection. I do plan on making original grills but for now, I'm going to run them naked and free!

Will i am

westmassguy wrote: »

Your woodworking skills are excellent. The rest will come in time. I'd re-think the veneer on the 7s. I think you'll find them to be more impressive than the 10s when completed.

Thank you all for the comments. It's been a long but very enjoyable road.

Westmassguy, I want to especially thank you. Your advise has been concise, polite and extremely helpful. I'm now listening to studio recordings of Chopin with the Yamaha Natural Sound Receiver and just the new 10's. Oh My! I'm hooked. I'm almost through all my favorite CD'S and I can't help but grin and try to find ways to make my listen experience even better. In time...

The 7 boxes are already made just like the 10's so I will eventually have those to compare. I think they will be even better with an updated crossover, and new components.



All they lack is about 20 hours of sanding, finishing, and about $400 worth of parts. I'll post the build when I can get to the project. Maybe in the fall. I'm starting to accumulate the parts, spreading out the costs... I may want you to build my crossovers!

I still have four Dayton classic paper drivers and tweeters. I think I'm going to use those for some bookshelf speakers an give them out as gifts. That's where I'll use the vinyl.

Thanks again and I'll be around.

leftwinger57 wrote: »

Did you finally tally up what that set cost you with not even counting your labor or sweat equity ?

MDF, veneer, crossovers, drivers, tweeters... $615. But probably more like $750 for all new drivers...

I would love to do a side by side blind test with an original. If anyone would like to donate a pair, I certainly will not object to thoroughly testing.

https://g.co/kgs/srJG3

Sunday Morning listening on M10's. Wow.

Nothing other than all the joints are glued with biscuits. The only air leak I had was the tweeter before recessing.

Conclusion:

I have had a wonderful time with this project. It has inspired more ideas and other possibilities.

My initial idea was to build a nice pair of speakers I fell in love with many years ago. A familiar story.

I have played all my music through these twice. I have hit my favorites many times more. I have compared them with other Monitors: Played with sub woofers, surrounds, receivers, equalizer...

After all that, I am very comfortable knowing I recognized a good pair of speakers in the day. I compared everything to them, never owning a pair.

But,

What I have learned, Monitor 10's are great speakers, the speakers you roll out for the 4th of July patio party, Barn dances or Church socials. Great for the shop, Jazz, Piano, Classical, Pop, ROCK, They will project! I have mine with a vintage Polk sub, A simple integrated 100w receiver in a high ceiling shop, Perfect for rock'n while you're drin... working.

But I've been ruined forever. Ruined like the day a friend made concentrate on the laugh track most sitcoms use, letting you know when to laugh.

Imagining is lost in 10's, it's there but nothing like single driver Monitors. They would be fine in the living room but for real sit down, good listening speakers, I can do better but stay Vintage.

Live and learn. On to 7's

I have yet to make stands since my speakers are mounted in my shop about head level. A relatively simple build that I plan on doing for my M7 set in the house, now my favorite speakers...