opinions on CRS+ speakers: would they best my Monitor 10s and 7s?

pglbook · October 2019

I may have a chance to get a pair of CRS+ speakers (1986 version in nice condition), with original stands, for $250, and would appreciate people's impressions of the speakers and how they sound as I have never had, or heard, a pair of the CRS+ speakers.

I know it is probably a no brainer if I can get them at that price but my quandary is that I already have too many speakers (Monitor 10s, 7s, PSB Stratus) which I currently do not use due to space constraints and what I really would like to know is if the CRS+ would best my Monitor 10s and 7s as I can only keep one pair for a secondary system (I have SDA 2B TL's in my main system).

Thanks for any feedback.

boston1450 · October 2019

Depends on how & what you listen to for music. If you like rock & like it loud & need lots of bass. I'd say stay with 10's. I'd hang on to the 2b's & put the money in upgrading them if you havent... Edit. I see TL'd. Opps

pglbook · October 2019

boston1450 wrote: »

Depends on how & what you listen to for music. If you like rock & like it loud & need lots of bass. I'd say stay with 10's. I'd hang on to the 2b's & put the money in upgrading them if you havent... Edit. I see TL'd. Opps

Thanks, Boston. I mostly listen to rock and jazz music and occasionally some Latin music. I really like the Monitor 10s and 7s but, not having heard CRS+ speakers, I was wondering if they would be a big sonic upgrade over the Monitor speakers. Thanks again.

boston1450 · October 2019

Dont get me wrong. I've had 2/3 pair of 10's & 11 SDA1c & 2b. To compare the CRS+ to the 10 or 2b is a hard call. The 10's & 2b are great speakers & seem to do well with anything you throw at them. The CRS+ seem to lack some in areas where alot of people complain about bass. Especially where the PR is in rear. I enjoy mine very much but think there are other models that are better. I miss my 2b's

SIHAB · October 2019

would the 7's fit under the CRS+ ??

boston1450 · October 2019

Take a pair of 7's stock or upgraded the better, with 194 tweeters & hook em to a NAD 20watt amplifier that put NAD in biz & some clean speaker wire & I will say it will blow away your mind

pglbook · October 2019

I thought I'd get more feedback from CRS+ owners but, from the feedback I did get, I have decided to keep my Monitor 10s and 7s and pass on the CRS+ speakers. I already have too many speakers I am unable to use due to space limitations and it did not make sense to add another pair if it would not be a substantial improvement over my current "secondary system" speakers (Monitor 10s, 7s, PSB Stratus).

Thanks.

soupbone · October 2019

You can never have too many speakers. Since you already have some SDA's then you know what you would be missing out on in that system. The CRS+ have a wide soundstage but with the lack of some focus, the 10's are going to have a deep sound stage while not as wide with better focus. If you did decide to purchase I would make sure they are the PIN & BLADE version. I talked to Matt Polk a long time ago and he had a special place in his heart for that speaker. Hook those up to a nice sub or two and enjoy.

boston1450 · October 2019

Thats a great deal. The CRS+ speakers are great speaker IMO. But when comparing with what you already have, that would be a tough decision only you can make

Mike Reeter · October 2019

Not having any experience with the 10's or 7's (I need to get out more) the 4.1TL version of the CRS+'s is a VERY GOOD speaker. They output a lotta sound for their size, and the Dimensional Drivers are a big plus for that SDA Sound Stage.

JayCee · October 2019

Mike Reeter wrote: »

Not having any experience with the 10's or 7's (I need to get out more) the 4.1TL version of the CRS+'s is a VERY GOOD speaker. They output a lotta sound for their size, and the Dimensional Drivers are a big plus for that SDA Sound Stage.

I, also, haven't listened to the 10's or 7's (do have 5's and 5 Jr's) but absolutely agree. I have a pair of CRS+ 4.1tl's that've been rotated out for 3.1tl's. CRS's are locked away and won't be sold...keeping for "if I have to downsize big-time" SDA's when I'm forced into an old folk's home.

I have an Epik Empire sub (single box dual 15's) and it's a very good compliment that can be placed out of the way and makes the CRS's perform like a very big speaker. Used them in my home theater and the soundstage is incredible for the size. Add a dreadnaught and it's mo better. CRS's have a smaller "looking" footprint for the front of a room and easier, subjectively, for WAF...or at least mine.

Mike Reeter · October 2019

I accompany my CRS+'s with a pair of Rythmik F8 Subs. With everything dialed in, they sound damn good. As a testament to that, my wife even stated "Those little speakers sure put out a lot of sound for their size" Now that is saying something

pglbook · October 2019

soupbone wrote: »

You can never have too many speakers....

I disagree...I currently have 4 pair of speakers (two pair of Monitor 10s, and a pair of Monitor 7s and PSB Stratus speakers) which are currently just gathering dust and stored away in my shop because I do not have any room for them. I collected different speakers in the past (Dahlquist DQ 10s, Polks, PSB, etc.) - and I perfectly understand doing that; it is a very important part of the learning experience to hear different sounds - but it makes no sense to have a collection of speakers not being used. I thought about getting the CRS+ because I know it is a great deal...but my rational side (fortunately I do not use that side too often, ha) tells me that that is not a good enough reason to get the CRS+ when I know that they too will just be put in my "speaker graveyard" in the near future. I really like the Monitor 10s and 7s and will keep those 2 pair of speakers. I will try to sell off the other Monitor 10s and the PSB Stratus speakers (I actually have the PSB Stratus speakers for sale at a great price in the Flea Market but it is local pickup only so it limits potential Buyers).

Thanks for all of your feedback!

pitdogg2 · October 2019

you could always buy the CRS+ and throw the drivers in on of the Monitor 10's or get rid of a 10 to keep the CRS+

F1nut · October 2019

I'd dump the 10's regardless of buying the CRS+.

soupbone · October 2019

Speaking of adding subs. I had a pair of 1.2TL's with a Vanderteen 2W subwoofer...crossed over at about 80. The midrange was never sweeter. The sub just disappeared like a good sub should. I thought is was broken actually. You could not hear a thing from the sub, just sweet sweet midrange.

gudnoyez · October 2019

That's a good price and with the OEM stands, you shouldn't have any issues reselling them should you not like them

pglbook · October 2019

F1nut wrote: »

I'd dump the 10's regardless of buying the CRS+.

Jesse, I'm curious why you do not like the Monitor 10s. I really like the 10s and 7s myself and will always keep a pair of each.

Nightfall · October 2019

Lobing and comb filtering issues.

F1nut · October 2019

^ This ^

The 7's are sweeeeeet!!!

pglbook · November 2019

Nightfall wrote: »

Lobing and comb filtering issues.

F1nut wrote: »

^ This ^

The 7's are sweeeeeet!!!

Thanks. I think the 7s do have a more balanced sound overall than the 10s, but both the 7s and 10s sound great to me matched with my vintage Yamaha CR 2020 receiver.

Thanks again,

Peter

K_M · November 2019

I found the Rta11t's the best of the non huge Polks from that era.

Nothing else with 2 woofers beat them.
They simply had better deep bass.
Compared to anything In the monitor line, and the SDA CRS.

K_M · November 2019

pglbook wrote: »

Nightfall wrote: »

Lobing and comb filtering issues.

F1nut wrote: »

^ This ^

The 7's are sweeeeeet!!!

Thanks. I think the 7s do have a more balanced sound overall than the 10s, but both the 7s and 10s sound great to me matched with my vintage Yamaha CR 2020 receiver.

Thanks again,

Peter

Totally agree. I Found the 7's to be the baby brother of the RTA11t's in a way. Balanced and fairly good deep bass.

pglbook · November 2019

K_M wrote: »

I found the Rta11t's the best of the non huge Polks from that era.

Nothing else with 2 woofers beat them.
They simply had better deep bass.
Compared to anything In the monitor line, and the SDA CRS.

Thanks, K_M. I did not know that about the Rta11t's and have never heard them but I definitely would like to get my ears upon a pair some day after such high praise.

Thanks again.

K_M · November 2019

pglbook wrote: »

K_M wrote: »

I found the Rta11t's the best of the non huge Polks from that era.

Nothing else with 2 woofers beat them.
They simply had better deep bass.
Compared to anything In the monitor line, and the SDA CRS.

Thanks, K_M. I did not know that about the Rta11t's and have never heard them but I definitely would like to get my ears upon a pair some day after such high praise.

Thanks again.

Yeah, I really like them. Do not expect a miracle, but having heard them side by side with several other Polk models from the same time, they seemed to have a "Bit" more clarity, (maybe due to the driver configuration or narrow cabinet) and for sure a bit deeper bass.

Not on all music, but a few select tracks with some really deep bass, they simply went deeper than the M10 For sure.

The smaller Rta8's were quite decent also, but rolled off more in the deep bass, due to a smaller cabinet and higher box tuning.

The Rta15, not sure why, but although It went loud and deep well, I simply liked the Rta 11 a bit more. To me the sweet spot in their smaller towers.

boston1450 · November 2019

The RTA15tl require a fair amount of space where the passive is in the rear. I have mine set up 16inches from rear wall. With nothing beside them within 2 foot of any side wall or obstacles. I find the 15's to be finicky when it comes to what you power them with to get the best from them.

pglbook · November 2019

I have been reading up on the RTA11t's - mostly old posts on this forum but also a few posts on some other online audio forums - and it seems that the nomenclature is a bit confusing. If I understand correctly, the RTA 11t's are the same as the Monitor 11ts (Polk changed the name from Monitor 11t to RTA 11t after 1st generation). There is also a RTA 11tl model. and, to make things even more confusing, there is also a Monitor 11 speaker, which is sort of a bigger version of the Monitor 10.

pitdogg2 · November 2019

The RTA 11's and 15's are not true Real Time Array speakers like the RTA12. The monitor 11 is what the monitor 10 should have been since they fixed the comb and lobing issues. RTA xx t just stood for tower I believe. When they brought out those speakers with the tri-laminate SL3000 tweeter the tl stood for tri-laminate.

Clear as mud

opinions on CRS+ speakers: would they best my Monitor 10s and 7s?

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