Bookshelf
This product is a vintage Polk model and is not available for sale, but it may still be available in some stores as a closeout or used product. The following text is taken from the original sales brochure for this product and does not reflect current availability. If you happen to have any question or concerns about this product, or any other Polk Audio product, feel free to contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-377-7655 Monday - Friday, 9am - 5:30pm EST
MONITOR4
Classic Polk 2-Way Bookshelf Loudspeaker
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The Original, Second Generation Monitor Loudspeakers
"Our advice is not to buy speakers until you've heard the Polks." -- Musician Magazine
It's 1972. The first hand-held calculator costs $395. Mariner 9 sends back pictures from Mars. Nixon goes to China. The Beetle outsells the Model T. THE GODFATHER is released in theaters. "The Price is Right" premieres on TV. "School's Out" wins a Grammy. And Matthew Polk and George Klopfer, fresh out of Johns Hopkins with too much physics and mechanical engineering knowledge for their own good, develop the Monitor 7 Loudspeaker and change the way people think about home audio.
The original Monitor Series raised the bar for home audio sound quality, with 3-dimensional sound that went beyond the speaker box itself. They were highly efficient, and sound great even on the modest electronics of the time (yet they were able to handle a tremendous amount of power if you had it). They used Bass Radiator Technology, tuned to produce deep, musical bass, giving them a totally realistic, fully dynamic soundstage. And best of all, they were surprisingly reasonably priced. Audiogram Magazine gushed, "we were so impressed we could not believe the prices...they're simply a steal."
So it was with great fanfare that two decades later Polk Audio reintroduced the "Monitor" moniker with the Monitor Series 2. Seven new models, from the compact Monitor 4 to the awesome Monitor 12, all updated the original with a variety of sizes, power outputs and performance levels to match any environment or budget.
"Vastly superior to the competition in their price range." - Musician Magazine
"May well be the best high performance speaker value on the market today." - Off The Record
"This speaker is a real find!" - Audio Alternatives
MONITOR Series 2, circa 1990
Featuring the fluid-cooled SL2500 Tweeter
- Surprisingly open, "boxless," "three-dimensional" sound from a traditional loudspeaker.
- Tuned for flat frequency response, for extended listening pleasure with no fatigue.
- The ability to reproduce difficult transients, for crisp, lifelike clarity.
- Exceptionally deep, tight bass, the kind you can feel as well as hear.
- Wide, realistic dispersion of high- and mid-frequencies, for perfect sound in any listening position.
- SL2500 Tweeter design (Monitor 4.6, 5jr+, 5, 7, 10 and 12): A highly refined, technically advanced high frequency driver. Fluid-cooled with an exotic ULV (ultra-low viscocity) magnetic fluid, this tweeter effortlessly exceeds "normal" listening levels with no loss of performance or reliability. The use of the SL2500 Tweeter gives these Monitor Speakers a dramatic dynamic range, totally unique for speakers in this price range.
- SL1500 Hemispherical Tweeter (Monitor 4): A 1" soft dome driver that delivers superb definition and smooth extended response.
- Larger, internally-braced enclosures, bigger than the previous generation of Monitors, tuned for the deepest possible bookshelf speaker bass response, making them the biggest sounding bookshelf speakers ever. Larger models are capable of filling even the largest spaces with deep, musical bass energy.
- High efficiency, so they sound great even with modest electronics, as well as the ability to handle significant amounts of power, if you got it.
- Reasonably priced high performance audio; they only sound expensive.
- Built to last a lifetime. (And, indeed, Monitor Series 2 Loudspeakers regularly turn up at yard sales and in attics, sounding just as spectacular as they did right out of the box.)
Driver Complement | |
|---|---|
| Tweeter | |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Diameter | 1" (2.54cm) |
| Type | Polk SL1500 dome tweeter |
| Midrange | |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Diameter | 6 1/2" (16.51cm) |
| Type | driver |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
| Total Frequency Response | 35Hz-25kHz |
| Upper -3dB Limit | 20 kHz |
| Lower -3dB Limit | 53 Hz |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Efficiency | 91 dB |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 20-100 watts per channel |
Amplifier Specs | |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Type | 0 |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Dimensions | |
| Height | 14 1/2" (36.83cm) |
| Width | 8 1/2" (21.59cm) |
| Depth | 7 1/2" (19.05cm) |
Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Total Shipping Weight | 24.00 pounds |
Specifications, dimensions and features subject to change without notice. For more information call us at 1-800-377-7655 (USA and Canada). Outside of North America call +1 (410) 358-3600.
Customer Reviews
7 reviews with an average of 4.5
Write your own reviewby brad durbin, tucson az, February 16, 2009
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
placement friendly
Weaknesses:
cannot be played exceddingly loud
Review:
i own a pair of the original monitor 4 a s. i bought them in 1989 . they are currently hooked up to my 2007 denon receiver. with them on the floor and up against the wall, and the loudness button on. they deleiver mindblowing bass. for a speaker of such a small size.
by BILL TWEED, February 28, 2009
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Amazing midrange clarity; smooth highs (not fatiguing);decent bass for the size; high quality drivers; VG build quality;OUTSTANDING BANG FOR THE BUCK SPEAKERS!!!
Weaknesses:
Spring clip terminals instead of binding posts; otherwise only the ones common to ALL small speakers (no deep bass and limits on head-banging volume levels).
Review:
I bought these used as I needed a small but efficient pair of speakers to test the low-power vintage receivers I rehab and sell. These fit the bill perfectly, but even as a long-time Polk owner I wasn't prepared for how great these sound! The clarity of voices and instruments is jaw- dropping considering these were designed over 20 years ago. With no foam surrounds to rot these little giants will last forever! I currently have them hooked up to a Kenwood KR4600 receiver with only 30 wpc and they still play plenty loud in a small to medium size room. Great speakers for a bedroom, den or garage! To this day Polk still offers more value for the money then ANY other speaker brand on the planet!
by Jonathan Roby, January 28, 2008
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Smooth and transparent.
Weaknesses:
None that really disturb me.(read: None).
Review:
I purchased my pair nearly two decades ago and have used them almost continuously ever since. Originally, I connected them to a Denon DRA-355 AV receiver and I remember quite clearly the remark a guest made the first time that he walked into my apartment and heard music: "Where are the speakers?" There's not much that I can add to That. Currently driven by a Carver.
by Bryan Edewaard, July 18, 2002
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Midrange and imaging. Very clear sound from an older, budget minded speaker.
Weaknesses:
Bass response. Needs some low-end help to really rock.
Review:
Recently I picked up a pair of these little Monitor 4's for my apartment. I've owned a lot of audio gear but sold most of it recently since I was moving around quite a bit. These are the babies of the monitor line. One 6.5" driver and a dome tweeter in a ported box. They guy I bought them from remarked at how heavy they are, and thought they must have huge magnets inside. I told him that a solid cabinet can make as much difference as anything else since you don't want your side panels turning into passive radiators on you. The first thing that impressed me about the 4's is the midrange. The integration between drivers is seamless. Much better than most of the "affordable" stuff out there today. Listening to Shadowfax's "Folksongs For a Nuclear Village" was a real treat as the percussion appeared to float above the speakers in the well defined soundstage (listen to track 2, "We Used to Dance" on these!). Greenberg's sax was solidly fixed in the middle. Toto's "Rosana" was crisp and clear, but it became apparent that bass extension is somewhat limited, even for a bookshelf speaker. Increasing the bass level didn't help the sound much (as it rarely does). My guess is that these speakers are exactly what they look like, a larger Polk monitor with the passive radiator removed. You get the awesome midrange and highs and a gradual rolloff at the lower octaves (add a sub!). Now I really want to hear a 4.6, 5 or 5jr. but for my immediate hi-fi needs, I'm quite happy.
by Dean Swain, September 20, 2004
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
they can handle all I give them!all,Rock,Metal,Classical,R&B,there mine forever!
Weaknesses:
NONE!
Review:
I just bought the Monitor 4 Series 2,and there used!all I have to say is these are the best bookshelf speaker on the market! I have them hooked into a 1995 Yamaha RX-V850 Audio-Video Stereo Rec.300 Watt,5 Channel,I only have 2 Polks and the sound is high quality! I shocked my friends!
by Brent , October 17, 2007
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Excellent bass response and smooth highs.
Weaknesses:
Cabinet has a few minor chips in the vinyl. Minor issue as I fixed it with a bit of glue. For $**** dollars I can't complain.
Review:
This is probably the best $**** dollars I have ever spent! Picked these up at a thrift store in my town. Very smooth highs and the bass has a nice roll off. Not overly "boomy" like many speakers today. I don't really care for boominess at lower frequencies as that is what a subwoofer is for.
by Gary, January 5, 2008
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Very smooth and easy to listen to.
Weaknesses:
Lacks a good low end. A good 10" sub takes care of that issue making for a great sounding system.
Review:
I have had a pair of the Monitor 4As since the early '90s. I use them with a NAD 3225PE amplifier on my computer sound card. They do a very credible job with everything I send them, from classical orchestral to rock. The response is smooth and you do not tire listening to them. I just switched from a "computer type" sub to a new DSW PRO 500. This combination sounds as good as the RTA15ts I use on my main system. (Neighbors are gonna hate me! ;-)
Vintage Product
This product is considered a "Recent" or "Vintage" Polk Audio model. It is not a part of our current product lineup. It may still be available in some stores as a "close out" or "used" product. Information provided here about this product may not reflect current realities and does not imply availability. If you happen to have a question or concern about this product, contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-377-7655 M-F 9am - 5:30pm EST. Chances are we remember it.
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