Audio Proz Service and Sales

ADS 810 vs. Polk Audio Monitor 10

(Ask Vince)

Jul 26th, 2015

Q) I have a pair of ads 810 series 2 a tweeter went out and I got a replacement. Not the stock 3/4 inch softdome though. Do you have any of those available? And I have a curiosity mabe you wouldnt mind answering this for me.(I know its personal preference) If you had only two choices between a/d/s 810 & Polk audio monitor 10 which would you pick? Kinda like Mustang vs Camaro, apples against oranges.

A) I've owned ADS which I prefer (if they are modified), and bought and sold Polk many times. These typically are just OK speakers. Their design and use of "passive bass" radiator is a cheap way out and not a properly designed speaker. Unfortunately by today's standards, the crossover designs of both are especially lacking, notorious to cause midrange or tweeter failure by not correctly dividing the power of the audio signal to the speakers. Without a doubt modifying and phase correcting the crossover design will do more to improve the sound quality and reduce the stress and power failure of the midrange and tweeters. In general ADS had quality parts (tweeters are the weakest design and the best improved by proper replacement part), but the sound quality was too midrangey/boxey sounding. Even more important the speaker has very inefficient crossover parts inside and is sometime a troublesome load for some amplifiers. All this can be corrected and ADS can be made into a great sounding speaker. Obviously the reason why no original tweeters and some midranges are unavailable was due to high failure rate when the speakers are played loud.

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