Monitor 12 Series 2

[Ridgerunner]

I currently own a pair of Polk Monitor 12 Series 2 speakers. My problem is that both of the SL 2500 speakers are shot. I would like to replace with new that would be great but I doubt that will be possible. What about the SL 2000's? Does Polk sell these tweeters on line? I can't seem to find a link on the page as to where replacement pieces can be had. I really would love to get these great speakers operable again asap.

[Conradicles]

Call Polk tomorrow and ask for the RD0198-1 tweeters and tell them you are a member and they should be $48 each with free shipping.

Welcome to Club Polk and those are great and rare speakers.
Enjoy!
Eric.

[Ridgerunner]

Hey, Thank you very much! I love these old speakers and have been trying to fix them. This is great! Do you know if the RDO198-1's are sonically close to the SL2500's? John

[agfrost]

They're superior--I replaced the SL2500's in my Series 2 5jr+ and there's no doubt as to which is the better tweeter.

Buy them, enjoy them!

jay

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks Jay! I can't wait to fix these gems and fire them up again! Is the following # correct for Polk to order them? 1-866-764-1801 You can bet I will enjoy them! I have been muddling through with a pair of Infinity Alpha's and to my ear there is no comparison in sound! John

[comfortablycurt]

Thanks Jay! I can't wait to fix these gems and fire them up again! Is the following # correct for Polk to order them? 1-866-764-1801 You can bet I will enjoy them! I have been muddling through with a pair of Infinity Alpha's and to my ear there is no comparison in sound! John

Yep, that's the number.

Those RD0's will smoke the 2500's that are in there now. I've never heard the Monitor 12's, but I'd love to get my ears on a pair someday. They've gotta have some badass mid-range and low end with all those MW's.

[Ridgerunner]

Yep, that's the number.

Those RD0's will smoke the 2500's that are in there now. I've never heard the Monitor 12's, but I'd love to get my ears on a pair someday. They've gotta have some badass mid-range and low end with all those MW's.

They are a terrific pair of speakers. It's why I could have had an attack when they died on me! I found these speakers at work. A friend was selling off all of his old equipment and gave me a deal, $400.00 for everything. Included was a Proton D-1200, Carver TFM15 CB power amps, a Proton AP1000 preamp,Yamaha KX-350 cassette, Proton 440 am-fm tuner and a Magnavox CD player. When I first heard these speakers I was blown away! Believe it or not, the guy kep't an old pair of Bose 901's!!!! If your ever in the area stop in for a listen! John

[Ridgerunner]

I cannot believe that Polk sales staff are in but the tech crew isn't in because of Fridays snow. Geez! Oh well!

[Ridgerunner]

Another question that may sound silly, I was wondering if there is any way to re-do the cabinets. They are vinyl covered brown and in good shape, I'd like to change the color to fit in better with the decor. I know it seems like a small thing but, I am kind of meticulous about my stereo. I can drive myself CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!

[heiney9]

Another question that may sound silly, I was wondering if there is any way to re-do the cabinets. They are vinyl covered brown and in good shape, I'd like to change the color to fit in better with the decor. I know it seems like a small thing but, I am kind of meticulous about my stereo. I can drive myself CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure, there is always a way. You can buy just about any color vinyl laminate to "recover" anything. But, the question is, do you have the ability to do it -lol. There is an art to redoing the vinyl laminate on cabinets.

I'm sure there is a thread or two here, but I bet if you googled it you'd probably find a lot of info about the procedure to follow.

Good luck

Brock

[smcgov34]

are these the speakers with the 4 woofers that look like larger monitor 10's?

[Ridgerunner]

You bet! These speakers are large. 1 tweeter, 4 midrange/woofers and 1 woofer.

[Ridgerunner]

These are quite a bit larger than the 10's. Honestly, I can't wait to get the new tweeters in there. If I am not mistaken these speakers were made circa late 70's and early 80's. By the way, where is North Shore? John

[smcgov34]

I have a chance to trade for some, would you recommend it?

I have a lot of friends that reveneer btw. On most speakers it is not that hard but on the monitor 10b's that I have, they curve down in the front. I have no clue how to reveneer the curve.

I'm in northern Mass almost in New Hampshire

[heiney9]

These are quite a bit larger than the 10's. Honestly, I can't wait to get the new tweeters in there. If I am not mistaken these speakers were made circa late 70's and early 80's. By the way, where is North Shore? John

More like early 90's. They were made for a very short time.

H9

[Ridgerunner]

Sorry, I was going by reference on Polk site. I wasn't sure though. Would I reccomend them? Absolutely! For me at least. Like I said above, I bought the entire set up and it was sight unseen. I was running Infinity Alpha 50's which to me are not shabby at all. The Polks however blew me away! To this day I can't believe my good fortune. I have still not found a good site for refinishing them. I'll keep looking though. The reason I asked about North Shore is that I used to visit friends near Chickopee Falls. If you decide to get a pair of the 10's letme know. I'd be very interested as to what you think of them. To this day I can't understand why on God's green earth my buddy prefers the Bose system over the Monitor 10's. I have heard both sets of speakers as he now just set up a NAD integrated with the 901's and to my ears it's okay but no where as sweet as the Polks set up with the old Proton power amp and a new Parasound 2100 preamp. If I were you I would listen to them before buying of course if it is possible. Like I said, I got mine sight and sound not checked out but I guess for once in my life I got lucky! LOL John

[comfortablycurt]

Sorry, I was going by reference on Polk site. I wasn't sure though. Would I reccomend them? Absolutely! For me at least. Like I said above, I bought the entire set up and it was sight unseen. I was running Infinity Alpha 50's which to me are not shabby at all. The Polks however blew me away! To this day I can't believe my good fortune. I have still not found a good site for refinishing them. I'll keep looking though. The reason I asked about North Shore is that I used to visit friends near Chickopee Falls. If you decide to get a pair of the 10's letme know. I'd be very interested as to what you think of them. To this day I can't understand why on God's green earth my buddy prefers the Bose system over the Monitor 10's. I have heard both sets of speakers as he now just set up a NAD integrated with the 901's and to my ears it's okay but no where as sweet as the Polks set up with the old Proton power amp and a new Parasound 2100 preamp. If I were you I would listen to them before buying of course if it is possible. Like I said, I got mine sight and sound not checked out but I guess for once in my life I got lucky! LOL John

How do you like that Parasound 2100 preamp? A new pre is going to be my next 2 channel mod, and the 2100 is one of the ones I've been considering most. Any thoughts?

[Soundmind]

I too have a pair of 1990 monitor 12s. The tweeter upgrade may be in the works for mine also. i have been running mine with a Carver TFM25 amp 225 wpc and it is not enough to fully make the 12s sing. I am using the Carver on my new LSI9 mains and it is heaven though. looking for a TFM45 or 75 for my old 12s. Let us know how the upgrade does !

[Ridgerunner]

My Carver TFM15CB just doesn't have the power to do the 12's justice. The old Proton get's them crankin'! Both amps are rated at 100 wpc. I am quite disappointed in the fact that the tweeters have not even been shipped yet! I called yesterday and was told they received payment and that the speakers would be going out. I called again today and was told they would be shipped today. I asked for an e-mail notification when they were shipped. as of 9:40pm still nothing. I ordered these last Wednsday. The next day I ordered 3 items from 3 different vendors, one in Calif. One was shipped Fed EX another, USPS, and the third was UPS. All arrived yesterday. Has anyone else had to wait over a week to get something shipped from Polk? It's a good thing I have backup speakers! I can't wait to try these out! I am getting a bit impatient now and can't imagine what the delay on these 2 items could be. Once I get everything hooked up I'll let everyone know how they sound. I love the Parasound and personally HIGHLY reccomend it!!

[Ridgerunner]

Finally! RDO198-1's finally shipped! ETA on the 25th. They're coming from San Diego. I feel like a kid before Christmas! I hope I will never lose this excitement over this hobby. I LOVE the music! John

[cubdog]

Here is a picture of my my Monitor 12s from a few years ago. I always liked them better as HT speakers. they are not currently in use.

cubdog

[Ridgerunner]

Well, the new drivers finally arrived and installed them already. They sound great! I thought perhaps they might be too "bright" but no, they sound great. I want to thank everyone for your help on this issue! I can't believe they are done. Well, back to the listening room for a bit. Enjoying the MUSIC once again! :D John

[agfrost]

Good on ya, John.

Enjoy, and report back!

Jay

[Ridgerunner]

Hey Jay, thanks man! I believe you are absolutely correct. These tweeters are superior! I am so grateful to have these speakers up and playin' again. It is sweet! John

[heiney9]

Hey Jay, thanks man! I believe you are absolutely correct. These tweeters are superior! I am so grateful to have these speakers up and playin' again. It is sweet! John

They take about 200-300 hours to fully break in. If you like them now, just wait they will get better and better.

H9

[stone of tone]

They are for sure 1990 & 91 manufacture. I had a pair new from 91 till 2004. I wish I still had them for my 2nd system.... . Enjoy Ridgerunner, especially with the new drivers!

[Ridgerunner]

Hey, Thanks everybody! So far, so good. They do sound sweet! I can't believe I was able to get these up and running again. I love the 2 channel sound much better than surround except when it comes to the TV. The music though, 2 channel all the way!!!

John

[jrgoswick]

Redo the XO's and get some power(at least 150WPC). I dig the @#$% out of mine.

[Ridgerunner]

Wow, The new tweeters are great! Since breaking them in I have found that these are not "bright" at all. jrgoswick, I've been mulling the xo quite a bit. For now though they will have to wait, got laid off. I couldn't be happier though with how these old workhorses are performing right now. I thank God I was able to fix them, and the right way too! LOL. My babies are back in town! Thanks to everyone here at Club Polk!

[comfortablycurt]

Wow, The new tweeters are great! Since breaking them in I have found that these are not "bright" at all. jrgoswick, I've been mulling the xo quite a bit. For now though they will have to wait, got laid off. I couldn't be happier though with how these old workhorses are performing right now. I thank God I was able to fix them, and the right way too! LOL. My babies are back in town! Thanks to everyone here at Club Polk!

Great to hear!!

The RD0's can make a world of difference in the vintage Polk's, as you now know!

Good to hear you're enjoying your setup!!:)