Polk gurus, what is this?

[fredv]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71571&item=5771862613&rd=1

No tweeter??

-fredv-

[michael_w]

They look like RTA12's that are 10" too short with no tweeter on top of the cabinet....

[Polk65]

That's the LF-14 a beautiful vintage Polk LF "subwoofer". It originally was paired with a set of Monitor 4's as part of a satellite system.

Think of it as an RTA-12 minus the tweeter and crossover.

Here's another current auction with more pics although he's got Monitor 5's. The first time around he had no bids and is asking $99 + $99 shipping. If you look carefully you can see the connection diagram on the back of the cabinet. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5769978448

[Polk65]

inside:

[Polk65]

switches:

[Tour2ma]

Been a long time since I had an Anchor Steam...

Unusual to see one LF-14, let alone two together.

Note that they are slightly different: one with logo on cabinet and short grill, and the other with logo on the full grill. Did not realize they made more than one model...

As for that other trio not selling, I'm shocked that the Bose comparison did not bring bids in droves...

[Toxis]

looks like mismatched speakers. Look at the grill holes.

[Polk65]

Anyone know the story with the switches? Are they cut offs or for selecting single/dual LF-14's? I've only read some speculation but nothing solid.

Regarding the auction with two LF-14's, the cab on the right without the logo is identical to my RTA-12 (pre- 12a, 12b, 12c). In the Polk parts list, the LF-14 is listed with the Monitors not the RTA...

You noticed his "like Bose" comparison? Check out his previous auction with $899 BIN price. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5769978448

Anchor still tastes the same but Fritz changed the caps to screw-offs a few months ago. Not only does this cheapen this brew imho, but I don't get nearly as much excercise looking for then using the bottle opener. BTW, Shiner finally came out here around 2001. :)

[Tour2ma]

Shiner Bock rules...

Toxis, really aren't meant to be paired... at least it's not a must.

P-65,
Search on LF-14, if you have not already done so. These have come up at least twice before, and I want to say the switches were discussed one time.

I don't remember seeing connections schematics as clear as in this ebay listing. Looks like set ups for both a stereo pair of 14's and a single one with stereo satellites.

If the search fails to shed more light, ask Ken Swauger if he has a copy of the manual and/or schematics that he can send you.

And yes, it's based on the "Monitor" RTA 12. The RTA 12 was a part of the monitor series and predated what became the RTA series... But is not to be confused with the Monitor 12 which came later as well and had its tweeter in the cabinet. Always good for a little head scratching 'round here.

[nadams]

Wow... center channel operation? Early HT?

[George Grand]

Center channel operation has been around a long time and had NOTHING to do with HT. I had a Fisher 500c tube receiver a long time ago. It had a center channel pre-amp out RCA on the ass end. That was to facilitate a center channel speaker, in the event you had to place your speakers so far apart that there was a "hole" in the middle of the presentation.

The first center channel speaker may well have been the Klipsch "Heresy" which was designed just for that purpose. Klipsch speakers required corner placement. If you had a really large room, there was going to be a hole in the presentation.

And that's a fact Jack.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[Tour2ma]

Did not know that about the Heresy. I'd always assumed it was just Klipsch's old school, entry level speaker.

nadams,
The LF-14 is a precursor of today's subwoofers. One of them would be paired with other Monitors in a sub-sat arrangement. Normally the 14 would be in the middle of the trio of speakers.

[George Grand]

It got the name Heresy from the amount of bass that came out of such a small cabinet.

The name was probably re-thought when the AR-3 was released, showing just how much deep bass could really come out of a small cabinet.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[danger boy]

you can always count on George Grand to set the record straight. and learn a little stereo history 101.

:cool:

[George Grand]

Thanks man, that was nice of you.

George

[mhardy6647]

There was a thread here on the LF14 a while back. I have one of these (one of the first sold, from Soundscape in Balto.) and I sent scans of the manual to someone here. I can send 'em to you if you need info on mono vs. stereo use and the "high and low efficiency" switch.

[BobMcG]

LF-14

[BobMcG]

Sorry, just got in and too tired to go upstairs and take close up of rear label.

[BobMcG]

Front-1

[BobMcG]

Front-2

[BobMcG]

Left one: Mode switch. Up for Center Channel (using one sub), down for Stereo (a pair).

Right one: Efficiency switch. Up for High, down for Low.

For Center Channel: Make sure there is no connector between the two black posts and hook the amp's two channels to the two pairs of posts (red+). Hook up your other speakers (sats) as normal.

For Stereo: Connect each amp channel to the left channels of each sub (red+). Connect the two black posts together with a jumper.

Of course in either Mode, you select the Efficiency you like best.

[Tour2ma]

Mating them with the 4's makes more sense than the 5's in the ebay ad.

Thanks, Bob...

[Polk65]

(for future searches) here's a previous thread that discussed and has scans of the LF-14 manual.http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=23558

Bob, is that from an old magazine ad or a Polk brochure? Great stuff !!

[BobMcG]

From a Polk brochure.