Tweeter fun: Dayton plates

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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    xschop wrote: »
    Tell Matt he wasted his time on the -194's.

    That is not remotely true. The difference between when MP owned the company and when others bought the company is night and day. The problems you allude to (bezel differences) happened AFTER Matt left the company. You cannot put any blame on him!

    Were they MIC when he owned the company? If so that's on him.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    Rob, give it a damn break already....geesh!!!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    I met the engineer responsible for the RDxxxx tweeters. During our discussion it was mentioned Polk spent a lot of time and a staggering amount of money on R&D/manufacturing costs to bring those tweeters to market. They didn't have to do it, but they did because they felt it was the right thing to do. Not many companies would do such a thing for 20-30 year old speakers.

    Both versions are a significant sonic improvement over the originals, so well done to that engineer and Polk for helping our vintage Polk speakers continue to make beautiful music.
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    edited April 2023
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    So here's the thing:

    Money

    - I am on a budget. I ended up with an extra $250 over 6 weeks to put where I wanted. I put $162 into a 2nd dac (on sale, btw) for comparison, and $62 into a pair of tweeters to experiment with.

    Result = I know more about dacs than I did, will get $150 back out of the purchase, and am down about $75 dollars for shipping and the Dayton experiment.

    Opinion = $75 and time to learn is fine w/ me. I'm grateful I get to try something for fun.

    Think I know better?

    - Absolutely not. If I did, I wouldn't ask questions, test my ideas, and admit when I made a mistake.

    Result = The expectation I have in a diy/mod-friendly group is for others to be as respectful and communicative as I am. Reality is, well... not awesome.

    Opinion = I invite anyone who wants to help me learn to join in! Just because I try something, or ask about something, that doesn't mean I know it all or better. It means I want to learn. And I often go ahead with a project that may experience failure- to truly learn why. I am thankful I sometimes have that luxury.

    2000 vs Wuhan vs Dayton

    - I asked The Hive about the why, so I would understand more than I do. Got the info on why the 194 works as a 2000 replacement, with no crossover mods, given its different specs and materials? Lay it out. Educate. Understanding why a driver works as a replacement, or doesn't, is black magic to me. I'd love to learn the specifics.

    Result = Well, that didn't go as planned...

    Opinion = We could all work harder to be kind and helpful to each other, couldn't we? I mean, if you're in here and aren't jumping in to help and have fun with the challenges, why do you take your valuable time to post? You're stealing time from others. None of us need that. I work to be as clear, kind, and helpful as I can. If I fail at that, I do better the next time.

    Schiesseposting

    Give me less of this:
    vkqbq6kuc121.jpeg

    And more of this:
    hqplu223i5jz.jpeg
    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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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    Follow-up:

    I rave to others about Polk.

    I have for the past 23'ish years.

    I've told people about the 194 and 198 over and over and over. It's amazing! That kind of dedication to the fanbase is something that sets one company above another.

    And we owe it to Polk's legacy to be kind, accepting, and helpful.

    This isn't an elitist clubhouse where any member should feel unwelcome. That goes against the Polk mandate (for all, right?). This should be a safe and respectful place where fans can get together without fear of ridicule, shaming, trolling, or personal attacks.

    I can not believe, after all I've learned about Matthew Polk since I got my first pair of his speakers, that he would be a fan of the behavior here.

    We owe it to him to be better than what goes on in the forum that bears his name.
    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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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
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    This forum is due for a large volume clyster.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    So, the truth gets removed now!?!
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
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    Add the vibraphone to the list of instruments presenting more realism with the Dayton's...

    buz8ylkkazze.png
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
    edited April 2023
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    Lol all you want. What will you use now that Polk no longer makes the RDO's?
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,710
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    https://www.midwestspeakerrepair.com/shop/home-audio/tweeters/polk-audio-1-tweeters/polk-audio-sl2000-1-inch-dome-tweeter/

    Buy these Polk RD0's

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
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    Did POLK actually manufacture those?
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,710
    edited April 2023
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    Yep same manufacturer. I doubt Polk ever "made them" stateside in a Polk factory.

    "OEM Polk Audio replacement"

    H9

    P.s. How do you know Polk no longer stocks these? Many times they are out for extended periods of time. Same for Midwest Speaker Repair.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,710
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    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    You can still buy them from Polk..

    And yes, the ones from Midwest are the same tweeters from Polk..

    I assumed they were still available from Polk. About every 6 months someone says "the RD0's are no longer available". So far, every time, that is misinformation, for whatever reason.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    What I saw with getting 198s, and asking about 194s, appears to be:

    Polk orders a batch. Midwest (or whomever} buys a bunch in bulk. Polk sells out of the remaining discount stock. Overseas call center says the tweeters don't exist anymore and Polk doesn't make them. People buy from secondary seller. Secondary sellers sell out. Months pass. Rinse. Repeat until?
    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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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    Repeat until people stop buying them, which will be a very long time.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    xschop wrote: »
    Lol all you want. What will you use now that Polk no longer makes the RDO's?

    No worries because I plan for the future. I've got plenty of brand new, still in the packaging, spares.
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
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    F1nut wrote: »
    xschop wrote: »
    Lol all you want. What will you use now that Polk no longer makes the RDO's?

    No worries because I plan for the future. I've got plenty of brand new, still in the packaging, spares.

    Same goes here for Dayton adapters.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    Playing with SL2000, Wuhans, and Daytons.

    I only have 2 useable SL. I mounted them in one box, tried different combos of each.

    I have AudioTools for iOS. Looking for FFT processes/settings for how you lot would test your speakers (at driver and at listening position). Curious how people I haven't tagged do it.

    Didn't want to buy the LARSA plug-in yet.
    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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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
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    This weekend, I threw in a set of billet plate Daytons in the modded 8TLs while I have the RD0198 housings apart for focus rings.
    These sound just as beautiful in these as they do the 5Bs.
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
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    New MW rings have had a thorough workout. I'm not really in a rush to get those rings done in the RDO's...

    m6ydqu0jnwmv.jpg


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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    Rob, purely out curiosity what is the silver disc for?
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    Rob, purely out curiosity what is the silver disc for?

    8t's were ported, that is plugging the port.

    Interesting, so they are sealed now?
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
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    That's just a plug. They're now rear Power-Ported.

    When Polk made the 8TL's, they moved the port up below the MW and used a thin, cheap port that allowed midrange to exit there.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    Ah, again...interesting. Thanks!
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
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    If a set of 15TL's land on my doorstep, they'll get Power-Ported too. It fixes the rear-firing PR issue with room placement also...

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/comment/2696003#Comment_2696003
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    edited July 2023
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    Well, kiddos, it's anecdotal update time!

    I hope to have at least a pair of 194 in the coming weeks to do a direct comparison between the 2000, Wuhan, Dayton, and RD0.

    In the meantime, I keep moving the Daytons around:

    - I used them in the top position in the 1C (was a little bright on my system on a few songs, but the twinkle was worth it).

    - I put them in the bottom position in the 1C (they might actually blend better than the Wuhans (which I like better than the 2000)... the Wuhans have a little dip towards the crossover point I didn't notice with the Daytons).

    - I put my heavily modded tweeter plate for the Wuhan in the top position with the Dayton in the bottom. This was better, imo than Wuhan and Wuhan with flat plates *and* better than a Wuhan with flat plate and Wuhan with modded plate.

    - I now have the Daytons in my 5(B), and wow. They belong there.

    Opinion

    I *really* like the Daytons in the 5(B).

    I've still got some mods to finish on the pair, but the Dayton blends wonderfully. And, at half the cost of a 194, it's not a bad deal if you can print your own mounting plates for $5 or so.

    I'll talk more about it over on my 5(B) thread:

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/197439/my-5b-in-mod-we-trust#latest

    (Update coming there soon.)

    udtl6i7s22ay.jpg
    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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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,838
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    Fantastic job on these adapter plates. Right out of the box the Dayton's sound excellently blended in the 5Bs, and will only get sweeter over time.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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