Studio Models

[SDA1C]

What vintage (80's) models came in a studio version? Specifically the RTA series. I've always liked the black vinyl- "I like feet...I do not know why lol" (Mr.Deeds)

Any way! looking to add another set of studios. I want a set of 8t but what else is out there that is in the same line as the 8t 11t 15t?

Thanks 1C

[Tony M]

I think all the RTA series had their STUDIO editions.

[SDA1C]

OK. I guess I should give more info... I know of the RTA 12 but have never seen one. I mostly want a new set of vintage but only want it in black oak vinyl. I'll stay with matching cabs if it kills me lol.

Are you saying the studio means different things throughout the different models and doesn't just signify the black vinyl and surround footer?

1C

[stubby]

OK. I guess I should give more info... I know of the RTA 12 but have never seen one. I mostly want a new set of vintage but only want it in black oak vinyl. I'll stay with matching cabs if it kills me lol.

Are you saying the studio means different things throughout the different models and doesn't just signify the black vinyl and surround footer?

1C

I am fairly certain the only models Polk offered in a "studio" model were the SDA1 and SDA2.


And the early model RTA's (12, 12B and 12C) were not available in black; only rosewood vinyl, walnut vinyl, and walnut or oak veneer.

stubby

[SDA1C]

I have an SDA1C pair in studio black and an 11t pair in studio black. I am in love with the RTA8T in black as I have see them but can't seem to find a set in mint or 9.5 anyway.

[stubby]

^^^^
I should have been more specific with the SDAs. Your are correct - the SDA1C and SDA2B were available in studio and cloth wrapped.

Just keep your eyes peeled for a set of 8t's in black. They were a popular speaker. I think there is a pair on ebay right now, if you are interested in going that route.

stubby

[SDA1C]

Yea. I saw a set on ebay but iffy at best and they were 600 miles away. Do the RTA12's look the same as the rest?

[Tony M]

I had the 8T in black but sold them along time ago..powerful little towers they are..

Have you considered the "Monitor" line-up? There's alot of quality in that line along with black versions for each edition.
I know they aren't towers and sorry if that's the style your looking for.
Do you just want the larger model towers in the studio black?

[heiney9]

The "Studio" versions referred to the cabinet type for the SDA1c and SDA2b, they just happened to be wrapped in black vinyl. "Standard" SDA1c and SDA2b, had better cabinets, weighed 15lbs more each and either had real wood end caps or real wood veneer end caps (depending on year) and cost more than the "Studio" version.

Monitor Series II were all available in black vinyl as were the RTA 8 and RTA 11 both the "T" and "TL" models. I believe (not 100% sure) SDA 3.1TL's were available in black as well but were not labeled "Studio" because they were exactly the same as brown SDA 3.1's.

So if you use the word "Studio" I automatically think you are talking about SDA's because they were the only line that used "Studio" in the marketing lit. The rest if the the Polk's available at the time in black were just another color choice as Black was popular in the late 80's and early 90's

H9

[SDA1C]

i guess I have seen the rta 12 its the one with the funny hat? Im not so interested in that model. I'm mostly after the vintage look. But any model that accepts the rdo194 would be considered. Id like to start with a set of 8's then 15's.

[nwohlford]

Yea. I saw a set on ebay but iffy at best and they were 600 miles away. Do the RTA12's look the same as the rest?

No, the RTA12s look more like Monitor 10 with the tweeter mounted above the cabinet and are not really towers.

See:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...529870322.html

[heiney9]

The RTA 12 and RTA 8, 11 & 15 are completely different animals. The designs are completely different. The RTA 12 actually is set-up for Real Time Alignment. The RTA 8 and 11 are D'appolitto arrays and aren't truly time aligned, but the D'appolitto array is a well regarded design that does enhance imaging.

So if your thought process is all the RTA's are alike, they aren't at all. Both sound great, but not the same animal.

H9

[heiney9]

No, the RTA12s look more like Monitor 10 with the tweeter mounted above the cabinet and are not really towers.

See:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...529870322.html

Those are early RTA 12's because they use the peerless tweeter. Not sure you'd want to use the RD0 in that case. The peerless made Polks are pretty nice already.

[SDA1C]

AHH. Ok. So what might some Ideas be of vintage years that have the same narrow tall deep look of the 11t. I like the 15t but I've only seen it in piano black top. or is it glass? I want all my cabinets to match the black vinyl that's on my 1c's.

Also, I'm sure the new models are great but I don't much care for the style. I prefer the big black rectangles that you have to wank around.

[heiney9]

RTA 8 T and TL; RTA 11 T and TL and RTA 15 TL are the tall slender speakers that were available in black.

The RTA 15's need a lot of room to breath because of the passives in the front and rear.

Monitor Series II were available in black but those are smaller and need stands or much wider in the case of the Moniter 10 Series II. I don't believe the RTA 12C was ever available in black.

H9

[SDA1C]

The RTA 12 and RTA 8, 11 & 15 are completely different animals. The designs are completely different. The RTA 12 actually is set-up for Real Time Alignment. The RTA 8 and 11 are D'appolitto arrays and aren't truly time aligned, but the D'appolitto array is a well regarded design that does enhance imaging.

So if your thought process is all the RTA's are alike, they aren't at all. Both sound great, but not the same animal.

H9

The fact that they aren't the same sound is sort of a bonus. I like to switch out on occasion. The look with grills on is what I am after. Id like to be able to switch without changing the overall look of the room.

[heiney9]

The fact that they aren't the same sound is sort of a bonus.

I simply stated they are completely different designs even though the model numbers stand for Real Time Aligned. This was in case you (or anyone else that stumbles upon this thread) were trying to match models up with each other, etc.

So I take it you're going for a look more than the difference's in sound? They are all excellent in their own way with the exception of the RTA15TL which, IMO, needs to be out farther in the room to sound good. Some people can accomidate having a speaker 3-5 feet out in the room, some can't. Stuffing an RTA15 in a corner or close to back wall will not sound very good so just keep that in mind while you're looking.

H9

[SDA1C]

3-5 feet eh? that is something to consider.

[heiney9]

3-5 feet eh? that is something to consider.

Just the 15's, because of the passive radiator in the rear of the cabinet.

H9

[SDA1C]

Yea I got ya. Only the 15's. Those are pretty badass aren't they? What advantage is the real time. What does it do?

[heiney9]

What advantage is the real time. What does it do?

This post sums it up pretty well. I have posted info before on Real Time Alignment. It invovles both physical driver placement and x-over compensation and phase compensation.

http://www.audiovoice-acoustics.com/...23&postcount=1

[brgman]

Here is a non-black studio-
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121473

[heiney9]

Here is a non-black studio-
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121473

Yep, I'm sure there are a few out there, but 99% of the Studio versions were Black vinyl. Again the Studio referred to the cabinet style more than the color.

I've even seen factory Black "Standard" style SDA's.

H9

[SDA1C]

Interesting read. I think we touched on this in a discussion a few days ago. you say differences in the cabinet construction. Like what? Is performance compromised in the studios?

[heiney9]

Construction is different and yes there are some performance differences, mostly in cabinet resonances and colorations, but they are small and perhaps not even perceptible to some listener's. If you can get the search function to cooperate there have been numerous discussions about all these topics in the archives.

H9

[FTGV]

Some might suggest that wth RTA's recessed and top mounted tweeter the strong high frequency reflections created by the cabinets top panel would be more detrimental to imaging and frequency response than would any benifits gained by the time alignment.

[heiney9]

Some might suggest that wth RTA's recessed and top mounted tweeter the strong high frequency reflections created by the cabinets top panel would be more detrimental to imaging and frequency response than would any benifits gained by the time alignment.

That could be very true, but I would assume that would have been taken into consideration somewhat at the time, but who knows for sure.

H9