which speakers should I keep: Polk Monitor 10s or Monitor 7s?

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pglbook
pglbook Posts: 2,265
in Vintage Speakers
I have too many speakers and need to downsize. My main speakers are Polk SDA 2B TL and those are my keeper speakers.

Among my other speakers, I also I have two pair of Polk Monitor 10s and a pair of Polk Monitor 7s. They all have the excellent Peerless tweeters.

My question to my fellow Polkies is the following:

What pair of speakers would you keep (any why) if you could keep only one pair: the Monitor 10 speakers or the Monitor 7 speakers?

I mainly listen to jazz and rock, on both vinyl and CD. I like all types of jazz, everything from Miles to Sun Ra. And I listen mainly to classic 60s and 70s rock (I am a big Grateful Dead fan and listen to a lot of live GD shows).

Thanks.
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Comments

  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,419
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    I would keep both if you could!

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  • drop1
    drop1 Posts: 69
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    Does the Monitor Series - peerless tweeter stand up to the RD0198 in your SDA 2bTL?
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,305
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    Monitor 7 because it is nicely balanced, doesn't have the inherent issue of the 10 and flat out sounds better.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,265
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    F1nut wrote: »
    Monitor 7 because it is nicely balanced, doesn't have the inherent issue of the 10 and flat out sounds better.

    Thanks, Jesse. I appreciate it.

    What is the inherent issue of the 10? Is it a phase issue?
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 27,780
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    pglbook wrote: »
    What is the inherent issue of the 10? Is it a phase issue?
    Comb filtering from the side by side driver sending the same signal....

    My guess.

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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,265
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    pglbook wrote: »
    What is the inherent issue of the 10? Is it a phase issue?
    Comb filtering from the side by side driver sending the same signal....

    My guess.

    Thanks!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,305
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    Yep, that's the inherent issue.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • lms
    lms Posts: 54
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    I had 10's, upgraded them, TL mod, etc. and loved them for over a year. I then went and listened to some crs's, sold the 10's toot sweet. I then went and listened to some 7,'s, sounded great, but I love crs's so much that I sold all my other speakers.
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,265
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    Thanks again, Jesse.

    Thanks, lms.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 35,525
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    Concur vis-a-vis the Monitor 7 as being the choice.
    That said, keeping both is an excellent Plan B.
    B)
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,758
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    7's
    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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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,265
    edited April 2025
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    Thanks for the input, everyone!

    Looks like the Monitor 7s are the consensus favorite!
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 18,370
    edited April 2025
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    They are,

    Now you just need to Van Halenize them.. 🤣

    https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https://wifflegif.com/tags/1992-lmfao-gifs?page=456&psig=AOvVaw2H-jcjwdVPhotoOWfUCB6F&ust=1743724324309000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBMQjRxqFwoTCNiyxsbFuowDFQAAAAAdAAAAABBT9ss1ctd5vuut.gif
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  • joebass3
    joebass3 Posts: 311
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    You have the 10's and 7's so which do YOU like best? I know I'm the odd man out here but I also have both and my 10's are definitely my favorite!
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  • lawdogg
    lawdogg Posts: 470
    edited April 2025
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    I like 10s better. Comb filtering (and iirc also called "lobing") doesn't matter when I'm sitting still. I also listen to them on their sides ... But you should keep whichever one you like better!
    <3 my 3.1TLs

    I will fix your shifted magnets for free. :)
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  • joebass3
    joebass3 Posts: 311
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    @pglbook if you haven't seen this thread you should check it out.
    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/173834/westmassguys-idea-employing-damping-to-mitigate-comb-filtering-and-lobing/p1
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,890
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    There's even a form of comb filtering with a single driver......oh unless you've installed Rob's (xschop's) phase plugs that is. 😁
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Onkyo A-8017 integrated
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,890
    edited April 2025
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    Stu Lumsden said he prefers the 10 over the 7; lots more bass but a bit warmer.

    Correction of what I wrote previously:

    But he said his favorite is a pair of 7s stacked head to head; excellent dynamic range and not as much boom but arguably more accurate bass. Maybe with a sub for the bottom octave.
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Onkyo A-8017 integrated
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
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