Mine are the Monitor C's. For that price, jump on those. They have better tweeters than mine do.
Mine are the Monitor C's. For that price, jump on those. They have better tweeters than mine do.
mitown wrote: What do you think of these? Polk Monitor 7B
Go get them now.
Make sure the drivers are sealed well. If you push gently on the big bottom passive radiators and hold them in, the top drivers should take a few seconds to return back to their original position.
You'll also want to build the stands these originally came with. Plans are on ClubPolk, easy to build. The stands are necessary, they function as time alignment. They'll sound good without, far better with.
In reply to mitown:
a classic. if they're in good order, seems like an ok deal.
Worth the price in good condition. Wonderful speakers.
I went down and bought the Polk 7's. They sounded great at the guys house. Now i need to buy a receiver. I am trying to decide between the Harman Kardon HK 3490 that i mentioned before and the Onkyo TX-8050 . Which would go best with the speakers I bought? Also is a dedicated CD player like the Sony CDP-CE500 necessary or would i be happy playing Cd's with my laptop. Thanks for all your help.
mitown wrote: I went down and bought the Polk 7's. They sounded great at the guys house. Now i need to buy a receiver. I am trying to decide between the Harman Kardon HK 3490 that i mentioned before and the Onkyo TX-8050 . Which would go best with the speakers I bought? Also is a dedicated CD player like the Sony CDP-CE500 necessary or would i be happy playing Cd's with my laptop. Thanks for all your help.
Is there a particular reason you want a receiver instead of a real integrated amp or a pre/poweramp setup?
What's the budget?
A dedicated CDP makes a big difference as well. Out of your laptop, you're limited by the on-board sound card, which means you'll be using a "Y" RCA cable, and i've never been impressed with the sound of those.
The Sony probably isn't bad, but i tend to like Pioneers on a budget. They tend to have a richer sound that really compliments the old Polk Monitors. Any of the "DV" universal players would be a decent choice, they're all over ebay, and should run you $100 or less shipped. 
I'll take your word for it that an integrated amp would be better than a receiver(but why is this that). I found this Marantz PM5004 integrated amp. What do you think of this? Why is the Watts/Channel so low for the price? Do you have any suggestions at $450 or under?
mitown wrote: I'll take your word for it that an integrated amp would be better than a receiver(but why is this that). I found this Marantz PM5004 integrated amp. What do you think of this? Why is the Watts/Channel so low for the price? Do you have any suggestions at $450 or under?
Because they're REAL watts. Paper doesn't matter so much. It's about clean high-current power with as low distortion as possible, as well as the ability to handle lower ohm situations.
Receivers are the old "jack of all trades, master of none."
I've actually spent a bit of time with that very Marantz. It's a GREAT entry-level unit. Nice fat sound, plenty of "ass" to drive those 7Bs, it would sound great with those speakers. If i lost all my gear in a fire or something today, i would personally give that piece a good hard look to get up and running again.
I'll try to find the model number for you, but i believe Onkyo has a good integrated in that same price range as well.
Been awhile since i've looked at integrateds otherwise... Let me dig around and see if there's anything else worth looking at in that price point. Cambridge Audio might have something. Stay tuned for some suggestions in a couple hours. 
Here's the Oinker: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo--5VL-Integrated-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B002C73WR2/ref=sr_1_2?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1327352752&sr=1-2
Cambridge: http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Integrated-Amplifier-Silver/dp/B002FJXQ82/ref=sr_1_5?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1327352752&sr=1-5
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Because they're REAL watts. Paper doesn't matter so much. It's about clean high-current power with as low distortion as possible, as well as the ability to handle lower ohm situations.
+1. NAD has a two channel integrated amp for under $450.
heyduard wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Because they're REAL watts. Paper doesn't matter so much. It's about clean high-current power with as low distortion as possible, as well as the ability to handle lower ohm situations.+1. NAD has a two channel integrated amp for under $450.
Ahhh... i knew i was forgetting a brand. Good catch!
Rotel might have something in that price range as well, though they'd probably be my least favorite, personally.
In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: I think the Cambridge is a bit to expensive. Would you go for the Onkyo or the Marantz considering the price difference.
mitown wrote: In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: I think the Cambridge is a bit to expensive. Would you go for the Onyko or the Marantz considering the price of each.
If you want to go cheaper on the integrated to free up funds for a decent cd player, i'd go with the Onkyo.
If your CD player budget won't change with saving $100 with the Onkyo, then it becomes a tough choice.
The Onkyo is a VERY strong unit power-wise, i'd actually give the sheer power nod to it over the Marantz. However, it's a digital amp, which has its pros and cons.
Pros:
Generates little to no heat
EXTREMELY powerful
Very efficient
Accepts a digital signal input without needing a DAC. (Feed the CDP to it via a digital toslink cable, NOT the RCAs)
Very clear and concise, yet still generates plenty of "meat" in the low end.
Cons:
Can sound a little "clinical" and/or "lifeless." (I do not feel this would be a huge issue with a set of Polk 7Bs.)
The Marantz is a bit more "traditional," and has a "smoother" sound to it. If you want a "vinyl-like" sound, the Marantz is about as close as it gets in this general class.
I can't really give a nod to one or the other without weighing a possible increase in CDP budget. My gut says Marantz if the same CDP were being purchased no matter what. But i think the Onkyo with an extra $100 in CDP budget would edge it out.
That's just my opinion. You can't go wrong with either one. I've messed with both, and both are great units. (I think the Marantz LOOKS better, but who really cares about that?)
How about the Onkyo Amp and Onkyo C-7030 .
mitown wrote: How about the Onkyo Amp and Onkyo C-7030 .
I can dig it.
Those two, a digi-optical cable of your choice, and build the stands for the 7Bs when you get a chance, and you'll be set for many evenings of listening to pretty much any type of music.
In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: I will buy them then. BTW I searched around ClubPolk and I couldn't find the plans for the stands.
mitown wrote: In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: I will buy them then. BTW I searched around ClubPolk and I couldn't find the plans for the stands.
Here ya go!
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?24260-Polk-monitor-10-opinions&s=
Measurements and pictures are in that thread. They look pretty easy to make.
You think they sounded good when you demo'd them, they'll be hugely improved when properly set up on the stands.
In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: Thank you so much for all of your help.
No problem!
Keep us posted on how it sounds and show us some pics of the setup when it's all in place!
Hey guys, sorry I haven't got around to taking pictures. I am loving my system, but I think it has one weak spot, my Audio Technica AT-LP60 turntable. So I am now looking for a new turntable. I bought a Realistic Lab 420 off Ebay, but long story short, it arrived broken. What do you think would be a good turntable? I don't have a set budget.
Bummer. I'm afraid that's more the rule than the exception. It's very hard to pack a TT well and most ebay sellers don't.
Check your local craigslist. Again, used will be better than new- even more so than with speakers. There are very, very good TTs available new, but the good ones cost a good bit o scratch. There were loads of really great tables in the 70s. Since they were the primary source, most manufacturers had some good ones, and now you can often afford a TOTL TT that would have been very expensive back in the day.
Some find this controversial (though I really don't know why) but a Technics SL1200 is one heck of a turntable that can always be had used. They made something like 1.5 billion of them. Hell, they still make them. It's the turntable all the DJs use, so you have to find one that hasn't been abused... too much. Shoot, even abused they usually still work pretty well, and parts are available to fix one up.
But loads of other good tables. You can usually tell good ones by looking. If not, pick it up. Heavy is usually good.
Take care,
Ed
I can give good recommendations to a ReVox and the top of the line Denon... Unfortunately, that probably won't help you as the ReVox was bought about 30-40 years ago, and the Denon was a budget demo model bought for $50, then we sent it in 3 times for repairs under warranty before they got tired of fixing it and sent us their best one.
Well i found this Dual CS 5000 but the seller wont call me back. If he calls me back I'll go and take a look at it tomorrow. What do you guys think?
I've never heard one, but they're supposed to be very nice. Looking at ebay, looks like they sell for a good bit more than that. Could be a good deal! I'd sure have it. It's a great looking table. No dustcover. Story there somewhere. Make sure it doesn't look like it's been dropped or anything.
Does the onkyo have a phono stage or did you have to buy a separate?
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