Polk Audio Monitor 10a OMGWTFBBQ!!!!

[Kevin's Rack]

Hey guys, I was perusing the thrift store on Saturday when I spotted an unknown pair of Polk Audio speakers. I took a look at them, "$35 each, nah!" I said to myself. I went to sleep that night and thought to myself "Those Polk Audios have the heart over the letter i for the dot, so they're probably pretty old, and most likely made in the USA. So I went back yesterday to very seriously consider purchasing them. No model number anywhere on them, but I figured "eh, what the hell, I've wasted $70 on worse".

Brought them home yesterday, did a little research and learned that they're very highly regarded Monitor 10a speakers, which supposedly went for about $400 each new. Only problem is, one of the midbass driver's magnet came unglued and seized the voice coil sleeve against the center pole (apparently a common problem). So, unfortunately I have to try to find an MW6500 speaker. According the the QA sticker on the back, these were made in 1982, and as far as I can tell, they have the more desirable "soft dome" black tweeters on them. One speaker sounds great *thumbsup*, but both will be likely to break the windows and unintentionally invite the suffolk county police department over for a visit *hearts*.

Any other "Polkies" here?
Your thoughts?

[Naknut]

I don't really know the Polk Audio Monitor10A but like you I found a pair of Polk RTA 15TLs at Goodwill for $89.00. I had to replace both tweeters to get them back up to snuff and it was $100.00 well spent. I was able to get replacements through Polk Audio.

[Eminence1963]

Hey guys, I was perusing the thrift store on Saturday when I spotted an unknown pair of Polk Audio speakers. I took a look at them, "$35 each, nah!" I said to myself. I went to sleep that night and thought to myself "Those Polk Audios have the heart over the letter i for the dot, so they're probably pretty old, and most likely made in the USA. So I went back yesterday to very seriously consider purchasing them. No model number anywhere on them, but I figured "eh, what the hell, I've wasted $70 on worse".

Brought them home yesterday, did a little research and learned that they're very highly regarded Monitor 10a speakers, which supposedly went for about $400 each new. Only problem is, one of the midbass driver's magnet came unglued and seized the voice coil sleeve against the center pole (apparently a common problem). So, unfortunately I have to try to find an MW6500 speaker. According the the QA sticker on the back, these were made in 1982, and as far as I can tell, they have the more desirable "soft dome" black tweeters on them. One speaker sounds great *thumbsup*, but both will be likely to break the windows and unintentionally invite the suffolk county police department over for a visit *hearts*.

Any other "Polkies" here?
Your thoughts?

Great score!*bigthumbup*
I have a set of 10a's as well! Picked up a mint one owner pair for $100.00
The model u have are well sought after, due to the tweeter that was manufactured by peerless. The tweeter should have a little pin hole in it.
You can still get replacements from Polk Audio. Drivers are fairly inexpensive.
They are ok sounding in my book, but nothing to write home about! At least to me. There are other people out there that rave about the sound.
There is a Polk Audio Forum out there on the internet. Do a search and read there is a bunch of info out there on this model.
19812

19813

[Acoustic]

Polk fan here. I've got three pair. Monitor 10's in the bedroom, Monitor 50's in my second bedroom and RTA 12A's in the living room. Does yours have the peerless tweeters? Mine do and the Polks I have pair great with the Yamaha CA/CR amps I have for jazz. I think I paid $150 for mine about three years ago. Here's a photo:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/1956348220_db21dc4004.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19384246@N00/1956348220/)
DSC_0096ps (Medium) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19384246@N00/1956348220/) by Acoustic (http://www.flickr.com/people/19384246@N00/), on Flickr

[Scorpion8]

I drooled after the Monitor 10's when I was in college. My brother had a set and I loved them.

[Kevin's Rack]

Yes, they are the peerless tweets. My understanding is the peerless tweeters are highly desirable. As near as I can tell, they both seem to work well. I just managed to track down the midbass driver, but I have wait a little while before I can get it.

[Eminence1963]

Yes, they are the peerless tweets. My understanding is the peerless tweeters are highly desirable. As near as I can tell, they both seem to work well. I just managed to track down the midbass driver, but I have wait a little while before I can get it.

Those Peerless tweeters are highly desirable indeed....
*bigthumbup* To finding a driver.
Now crank them up LOUD*Hi5*

[Eminence1963]

Went yard saleing yesterday! Picked up a lot of good stuff and towards the end of the day there sat a par of Polk Monitor 7B's with the peerless tweeters. Ok so I got a set of 10a's and was unimpressed with the imaging they produce. So since I WAS a non beliver of that polk brand I did not really want to pick them up, but for 5 dollars a piece, I thought what the heck, I can always sell them for at least what I paid for them. So I get them home hooked them up and HOLY C@#P *omg*The sound the imaging these things produce versus the 10a's!!!!!!!! Night and day. Talk about Karen Carpenter singing to me on my lap....... *eyepop* *praise**bananadance**worship**jammin**yip*Ok so I was not a Polk beliver till now. These image great, and spatial definition versus the 10's is uncanny......
There not on stands like there supposed to B as seen in the picture. Im gonna make the stands and then try them in that position to see if the realisim is there......
Ok so what Im trying to say is I was not a POLK fan up untill now. They got it right on the 7A's. For me anyways. I wont part with these at all The Holy grail of sound is now in my mancave.*bigthumbup*
Picks will b up later my fiance is dragging me out of the house for now, gotta keep her happy.*Spin*

[Kevin's Rack]

Just got the replacement woofer today. I have to say, these are capable of very nice sound. Only problem is, due to my screwed up and messy listening configuration, the the stereo separation is crap. Unfortunately, this is due to both speakers pushed up against one another. Looks I'm going to have to live with this for a while. When my grandfather passed away, we got a lot of crap from his house, and it hasn't been gone through yet, and most of it is over-taking the room where I keep my stereo equipment. That's the price you pay for living at home at 23, you have no say where anything gets placed. *sigh*

[Eminence1963]

Just got the replacement woofer today. I have to say, these are capable of very nice sound. Only problem is, due to my screwed up and messy listening configuration, the the stereo separation is crap. Unfortunately, this is due to both speakers pushed up against one another. Looks I'm going to have to live with this for a while. When my grandfather passed away, we got a lot of crap from his house, and it hasn't been gone through yet, and most of it is over-taking the room where I keep my stereo equipment. That's the price you pay for living at home at 23, you have no say where anything gets placed. *sigh*

If imaging is what ur after, then see if u can find some of the 7's
There awsome*bigthumbup*
If u want volume then put a set of 7's and 10's together awsome and loud.
The 10's have slightly better bass.
Hope someday u can set those 10's up properly.*Hi5*
20026

20027

20028

[Warped Bezel]

...........I can always sell them for at least what I paid for them. So I get them home hooked them up and HOLY C@#P *omg*The sound the imaging these things produce versus the 10a's!!!!!!!! Night and day. Talk about Karen Carpenter singing to me on my lap....... *eyepop* *praise**bananadance**worship**jammin**yip*Ok so I was not a Polk beliver till now. These image great, and spatial definition versus the 10's is uncanny......Picks will b up later my fiance is dragging me out of the house for now, gotta keep her happy.*Spin*

I think we'll need to lock you away when the seance comes around to keep you from channellibg Ms. Carpenter myself *headache**flame**footmouth*

*wink*

[Eminence1963]

I think we'll need to lock you away when the seance comes around to keep you from channellibg Ms. Carpenter myself *headache**flame**footmouth*

*wink*

Ah!
She sings to u too, I see?*Hi5**boxing**beer**grin*

[Warped Bezel]

On 8-track even...

[Eminence1963]

Just got the replacement woofer today. I have to say, these are capable of very nice sound. Only problem is, due to my screwed up and messy listening configuration, the the stereo separation is crap. Unfortunately, this is due to both speakers pushed up against one another. Looks I'm going to have to live with this for a while. When my grandfather passed away, we got a lot of crap from his house, and it hasn't been gone through yet, and most of it is over-taking the room where I keep my stereo equipment. That's the price you pay for living at home at 23, you have no say where anything gets placed. *sigh*

Will u be upgrading those crossovers?*scratchchin*

[Eminence1963]

On 8-track even...

I dont think she can sing to u on 8 track like she can to me on CD*drool**sarc**lmao*

[stereorob]

nice score indeed kevin! i too have pair of polk 10a's, very warm sounding, especially with a vintage marantz 2230 driving them. these speakers are uber afficent so be CAREFUL you dont burn them up. mine are older, (mid 70s) models. got them from a guy cleaning out his garage. for free. great speakers, enjoy them!! btw, u have a teac 4300 too? i love mine! i use it every day!!

[jimbo2k]

Went yard saleing yesterday! Picked up a lot of good stuff and towards the end of the day there sat a par of Polk Monitor 7B's with the peerless tweeters. Ok so I got a set of 10a's and was unimpressed with the imaging they produce. So since I WAS a non beliver of that polk brand I did not really want to pick them up, but for 5 dollars a piece, I thought what the heck, I can always sell them for at least what I paid for them. So I get them home hooked them up and HOLY C@#P *omg*The sound the imaging these things produce versus the 10a's!!!!!!!! Night and day. Talk about Karen Carpenter singing to me on my lap....... *eyepop* *praise**bananadance**worship**jammin**yip*Ok so I was not a Polk beliver till now. These image great, and spatial definition versus the 10's is uncanny......
There not on stands like there supposed to B as seen in the picture. Im gonna make the stands and then try them in that position to see if the realisim is there......
Ok so what Im trying to say is I was not a POLK fan up untill now. They got it right on the 7A's. For me anyways. I wont part with these at all The Holy grail of sound is now in my mancave.*bigthumbup*
Picks will b up later my fiance is dragging me out of the house for now, gotta keep her happy.*Spin*

We were Polk dealers for years before they decided to go to the mass merchandisers. Sold a ton of them. 10bs for the rock and rollers, and 7cs for everyone else. My personal preference was the model 7. Only speaker i know in that price/size range that could hold candle to my ADS L710s. definitely the black(peerless tweeter) versions were superior. I sold enough of these, that I expect one day, to find some in a yard sale. Wishful thinking, maybe. Jim*reelspin*