Those of you that have listened to many different Polks...

[Bubinga99]

How would you rank order the ones you've heard (excluding the SRS line)?

Mainly the vintage models but I'd be interested where you'd put the LSi and RTiA's in that ranking too.

If you have heard an all-original and a resto-mod of a given model, I'd be interested in how that affects your ranking.

Thanks.

[Polkersince85]

For the non SDA lines, I would rank the ones I have as the Mon 7B, RTA 11, then Mon 10B. The Mon 7B is just sweet and spot on for kicking back and listening to music.


'

[Loud & Clear]

Excluding SDAs, I'd go with ...

1) RTA 12B
2) Monitor 10
3) RT 55i

I've heard most of the vintage monitor series, and most of the RT(i) series speakers.

[Ricardo]

One more vote for monitor 7B's with Peerless. It keeps amazing me that a speaker 30 years old that can be had for $100 sounds so good in a 2 channel rig. Tonal accuracy and imaging are to die for.

[Bubinga99]

Just to clarify, I didn't want to exclude SDA's, just the SRS-SDA's (which would include all the TL models)

Thanks for the replies.

[george daniel]

and for a smaller room/rig the 5a's are great,to me they are like "mini" sda's.

[ben62670]

Monitor 7's, RTA11's, LSI 15's(properly amped and modded), and of coarse the SDA's. You need to tell us what size room, and what kinda amplification you are using. Are you willing to upgrade gear? IMHO you can't go wrong with any of the vintage Polk's or the LSI's.
Ben

[HB27]

Monitor 11 RTA circa '82 is my favorite Polk, followed by the 7A with fresh caps, and the same with the M10 and M12's with Sonicaps in them. I've listened to and owned most all the old Polk monitors.
I've also owned some of the RT and RTi line but the old monitors and sda seem best for two channel as far as I'm concerned.
Harry

[concealer404]

I'll agree with Harry.

RTA11Ts are my favorites so far that i've spent time with.

Then Monitor 7Cs
Then VS-25s
Then R50s
Then Monitor 5jr

[Pauly]

Top 3 minus SDA's that i own(d)

RTA11T's
10A's w/ Peerless
7C's

Pauly

[fafner]

How are Montor 7's better than 10's. There is a pair of 7's in my area for $150.

fafner

[concealer404]

How are Montor 7's better than 10's. There is a pair of 7's in my area for $150.

fafner

Typically not as bloated on the low end. It's all personal preference. Some like 7s better, some like 10s.

[halo71]

^Define 'bloated'. Maybe it's my ears, but the bottom end on my 10's sounds just as clear and punchy as I want.

[Face]

The M7 is much more coherent.

[concealer404]

^Define 'bloated'. Maybe it's my ears, but the bottom end on my 10's sounds just as clear and punchy as I want.

I'm not the best person to ask, honestly, because i find the 7s bloated anyways. Nasty mid-bass hump. At least to my ears, you know. ;) Love them for rock, though. :D

But bloated =! unclear or muddy to me. Just overemphasis on the low end of it's response curve.

[heiney9]

It really depends on room size and gear.

For a larger room and full range speaker I'd vote for RTA-11's

For a medium room Monitor 7

For a smaller room Monitor 5

My monitor 5's in my office are freaking fantastic. They are not stock so that does help especially getting rid of the sl2000 tweeter.

H9

[Pauly]

How are Montor 7's better than 10's. There is a pair of 7's in my area for $150.

fafner

7's tend to be a little easier on the ears as you get more low end with the 10's

About the only diff that i have personally heard. But i then again i like the low end at moderate levels.

Pauly

[heiney9]

How are Montor 7's better than 10's. There is a pair of 7's in my area for $150.

fafner

10's don't image as well, sort of a "smeared" midrange because of the side by side drivers. They can be a bit bloated in the bass, some prefer a more bloated bass, some don't. Many who primarily listen to rock like this speaker a lot. Not as accurate or coherent for Jazz, Vocal, Acoustic, Classical, etc. as the M7 or M5. The M5 can be a little short on bass in a large room.

H9

P.s. M10's would be last on my list of "classic" Polks.

[MillerLiteScott]

This thread makes me regret selling my RTA 11T's. Hopefully Gary, the new owner, is enjoying them.

Scott

[halo71]

I'm not the best person to ask, honestly, because i find the 7s bloated anyways. Nasty mid-bass hump. At least to my ears, you know. ;) Love them for rock, though. :D

But bloated =! unclear or muddy to me. Just overemphasis on the low end of it's response curve.

That is interesting. Cause I have not really noticed this with my 10's. I mean, of course I have not had really even what most would call decent speakers over the years until I got my 10's. But I love the mid to upper end on them. My Dad has DefTech Bp3000's and I drool over them when I hear 'em. I guess those are the best I have listened to in recent years. But I am lovin' my 10's. I guess I finally know what the term 'soundstage' means after all these years! Damn what a difference!

EDIT: Also my 10's are the first set of speakers I have ever owned that I njoyed listening to with my sub cut off completely.

[concealer404]

^I'm not surprised, really. Like i said, it's more of a preference thing. I tend to like the smoothest response curve i can possibly get out of my speakers. The 7s didn't sound bad to me by any stretch, they were REALLY fun to listen to, but they just weren't all there for me personally for critical listening. My smaller Esprits went lower, didn't drop off as fast, and don't have that midbass pounding that the 7s seemed to have to my ears.

Of course, i'm comparing speakers that were made probably 20 years apart, so that's not a fair comparison, but it's what i was trying to decide between at the time.

[gdb]

"I guess I finally know what the term 'soundstage' means after all these years! Damn what a difference!"

Just wait til you get some SDAs, soundstage like you won't believe!!:D

[concealer404]

Soundstage is a weird term to me... i don't like knowing where my soundstage begins and ends. Basically, if i can't tell there IS one, i'm happy. If that makes sense at all. Looks really stupid on my screen. ;)

The 7s, i could tell just how far it extended. Imaging was good within that space, but the space wasn't big enough for me.

I like hearing stuff that sounds like it's coming from the kitchen.

That all said, different gear, different gear, different rooms, and all that jazz. :D

[Ricardo]

Monitor 7/10 with Peerless are not the same as Monitor 7/10 with SL2000's. Big difference. IMO the Peerless are a whole lot better (smoother, and provide better imaging), but I'm biased.

[heiney9]

Monitor 7/10 with Peerless are not the same as Monitor 7/10 with SL2000's. Big difference. IMO the Peerless are a whole lot better (smoother, and provide better imaging), but I'm biased.

Peerless trumphs sl2000 everytime.

RD0's trumph sl2000 everytime

Peerless vs. RD0's...........some like one, some like the other but the RD0's have a similar characteristic to the Peerless.

Bottom line.........if you have old Monitors with sl2000 get the RD0's.

H9

[vc69]

Nobody ever mentions the LS50/90's. I love my 90's.

[halo71]

"I guess I finally know what the term 'soundstage' means after all these years! Damn what a difference!"

Just wait til you get some SDAs, soundstage like you won't believe!!:D

Well when and if my budget allows...SDA's are on the list! I already told the wife that next year when I turn 40 and have a midlife crisis that a pair of SDA's were on the list! :p

But right now? Times are tough as hell. When you get laid off from a $50K a year job, unemployed 7 months, take a job paying around $23k a year. And still have the tastes that you did before. Somethings gotta wait. lol

[DaveMuell]

Nobody ever mentions the LS50/90's. I love my 90's.

I have both, as well. First rate speakers for both HT and 2 channel.

[edit] I should add that I currently have TC, RC, and AB series in walls, M3's, 2 CS-400s, a CSi-40, and SDA CRS+'s. I have had monitor 7's and some others, too. The LS-50 and 90's hold their own against any of them.

[Pauly]

Nobody ever mentions the LS50/90's. I love my 90's.

Majority Rulez :D:p;)

Pauly

[gdb]

Well when and if my budget allows...SDA's are on the list! I already told the wife that next year when I turn 40 and have a midlife crisis that a pair of SDA's were on the list! :p

But right now? Times are tough as hell. When you get laid off from a $50K a year job, unemployed 7 months, take a job paying around $23k a year. And still have the tastes that you did before. Somethings gotta wait. lol

I got my first pair for $167.00 off ebay with local pick up. (studio style2Bs) Eating Ramen noodles for a week should get you enough $$ for some SDAs!:D