I completely changed my mind about the Polk RTA 15TL. They're not very good.

135

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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,086
    edited November 2022
    Where's the for-sale ad for the 15TLs?
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 733
    edited November 2022
    @15TL It takes time and effort and (unfortunately) money to get a vintage pair of Polks up to where they should/could be.

    If you want to (or can afford to) put the resources in? It'll be a fun experience. And those things will be AMAZING for, what? Less than $500 invested on the speakers? But you'll need a different amp...

    A few people mentioned these, but it's true:

    - the tweeters might be terrible for you, change them out ($140'ish?)

    - crossovers, pretty much a must-do (maybe $200 - $300 for a nice set of parts (minus couls)? someone else would have a better estimate)

    - better amp (when I went from an HTR/AVR to a dedicated 2ch... big difference)

    They're like buying an old hot-roddable car.

    You'll probably have to replace a few things to get it running right, but with a little work it'll scream.

    If you did get them for $50 and don't like them, flip 'em! You'd be able to buy something else for the garage and pocket some cash. I've had a $20 pair of Bose 501 in my garage for... 21 years.

    I bought a pair of Magnepans for $12 about 20 years ago. I just didn't know what I needed to make them work as intended. Basically gave them away. Now I regret it. And not just because the guy who got them sold them for $500 2 years ago =(
    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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  • rebelsoul
    rebelsoul Posts: 756
    15TL wrote: »
    gmcman wrote: »
    invalid wrote: »
    I can't believe you think that avr has enough power to make them sound good, that's the reason the bass doesn't sound right.

    My thoughts exactly. The power of the Denon while looks good on paper, mixed with old crossover components, won't deliver the goods

    It's not the watts, but the amps...amps as in current

    It has more than enough power. Maybe crossovers are contributing but it is not lack of power. I think they are just old poorly designed speakers.

    No it does not , you need a better amp .
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 3,037
    There's a difference between not liking something, and trying to convince everyone else not to like it as well...
    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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  • stevep
    stevep Posts: 358
    daddyjt wrote: »
    There's a difference between not liking something, and trying to convince everyone else not to like it as well...

    I guess the converse is also true.
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  • la2vegas
    la2vegas Posts: 764
    stevep wrote: »
    daddyjt wrote: »
    There's a difference between not liking something, and trying to convince everyone else not to like it as well...

    I guess the converse is also true.

    Touché.
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  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 2,380
    stevep wrote: »
    daddyjt wrote: »
    There's a difference between not liking something, and trying to convince everyone else not to like it as well...

    I guess the converse is also true.

    Except, this is a Polk forum.

    Brian

    One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Teac VRDS-701T CD transport | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM
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  • stevep
    stevep Posts: 358
    bcwsrt wrote: »

    Except, this is a Polk forum.


    Trolls are still ugly no matter who's bridge you find them under.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,124
    I suppose it’s too much to hope that this guy goes away……
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,397
    Is it Sal?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 1,837
    Pretty sure this kid's done and has moved on to the next thing that entertains.
    This is what we've become, what a waste of an oxygen breathing carbon unit.........
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,086
    Well if he's still around, I could show him the fine art of low-balling an offer, since he pre-primed the transaction with distaste for the product being sold.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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    edited November 2022
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,952
    Give it up dude...

    This is akin to grandma in her grave offering sweet nothings to no one...

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,583
    Still a tf4gy19j230o.jpeg
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,952
    15TL wrote: »
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Give it up dude...

    This is akin to grandma in her grave offering sweet nothings to no one...

    Tom

    Can you translate that? Do you mean my posts are pointless?

    Getting through the army or army ire ants is easier than going through your BS.

    Tom



    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,758
    edited November 2022
    15TL wrote: »
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    I am guessing this cat has been here before under a different name, and has trolled here before, more than likely he was banned from here.

    Why else would one come in here and troll the place over some 15tl’s?

    I'm not trolling. I may be a bit brash but everything I'm posting about is true so how exactly am I a troll? Because I say words you don't like? If so I'm sorry ( he, her, zir???). What are your pronouns so I can properly address you?

    Relax grasshopper.. You join forum with your other thread saying WOW these speakers are great & better then my 4000.00 B&W speakers. You ask questions & we answer. Then you change your mind & now they sound like crap & they are UGLY... Come on now. I have a mint pair & I've owned 2 pair & I love then. We are not bashing your stuff. Please relax & maybe we can help you if you'd like to repair them if your up to it... I've been running a receiver on the 15s for 10+ years. I've tried Parasound 2250 Adcom gfa555 Denon POA2200 & my Acurus 200/3 amplifiers & I prefer the Yamaha cr1000 or the 2040 on the 15s. They do a wonderful job on my ears. Anyways. Welcome to the forum & stick around & enjoy your Monitor & B&Ws. We all have & enjoy other brands as well
    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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  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 2,380
    I was thinking the same thing about his original reaction vs the B&Ws until now. Pretty bi-polar. I would think someone with $4,000 speakers would have a better ear than to think the 15s are great one minute and not very good the next.
    Brian

    One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Teac VRDS-701T CD transport | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,758
    edited November 2022
    Guarantee you this. If those caps haven't been touched the values are way off. When I bought my 2nd pair Ryan, he changed out to Daytons & they didn't sound bad. But when WMG did his magic it brought them to a new level.
    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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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,758
    FYI to make some of youz laugh. My 1st pair I bought just after I joined the forum & he is/was a member here. You know the one that was ready to go postal on a few here.. lmfao. Let's not go there cause i live withing driving distance
    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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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,952
    15TL wrote: »
    I thought we were all just having a bit of fun.

    Alex, I'll take, "What is clueless for $1,00.00 please".

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,084
    That could be taken as a threat.
    15TL wrote: »
    I know where you live.

    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • la2vegas
    la2vegas Posts: 764
    Nightfall wrote: »
    That could be taken as a threat.
    15TL wrote: »
    I know where you live.

    Stop trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill...
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,084
    la2vegas wrote: »
    Nightfall wrote: »
    That could be taken as a threat.
    15TL wrote: »
    I know where you live.

    Stop trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill...

    I know where you live is a pretty big mole hill.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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