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Polk RTA 12's or ADS L1290/2?

Decatur Greg

Decatur Greg

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I currently have a pair of Polk RTA 12's that I really like.

There's an estate sale with a pair of ADS L1290/2's for sale. Price seems OK and I am pretty sure I'm going to get them this Friday if all the drivers are working.

Anybody have experience with these speakers and how they would compare as far as their sound? Amplification is a restored Marantz 2325. I listen to a variety of sources from tape to streaming digital with the largest percentage being vinyl.

The things I like about the Polks:
Imaging
Tight bass response
Bass extension? I think that's the right term, what I mean is that when there is bass in the program material it's faithfully reproduced, not added to the sound when it isn't there in the material.
 
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Mystery said:
Never had those ads, but had rta-12c, really good speakers.
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Thanks Mystery, mine are the first generation, with the Peerless tweeters. I really like them as well.

My only (slight) complaint is that they didn't have the top hats. I keep saying I'm going to make some for them but I never have. I got the dimensions and design of the top hats from another Polk owner on here. It seems like the internal structure could be 3D printed and a "sock" created to go over the structure.
 
A different flavor but from my readings if it were me, I'd go for the ADS.. won't know if you like it until you try it.
 
I've heard both and my son owns the RTA 12s'. Both really are a very quality speak and as much as I am an ADS fan.....the imaging on the Polks is absolutely incredible and they handle power like nobody's business. To be fair the the ADS were only heard during one session and the Polks' get listened to a lot. (My son received them with the top structure......wife chucked them.)

In regards to the looks of those socks? Ugly as sin and going to do something custom (by quickie trial and error) so hope the sonic path can easily be attained?
 
Having owned a pair of recapped rta 12's my thoughts are they're going on the back burner once you bring those 1290's home. That's what happened here when I started bringing home ads speakers to compare to my 12's.
 
Not exactly the same, but I preferred my ADS L1090/2s to my Polk SDA1s. The Polks certainly went deeper, but I found the overall balance, clarity, imaging and non-fatiguing nature of the ADS to be far superior.

Dave
 
Thanks for all the input! Keep it coming...

I agree that in the end it will be my ears that decide this. I only have a tiny amp to take with me just to make sure the drivers make noise. I won't really be able to audition them as I'd like.

I've been emailing the company doing the estate sale and we have arrived at an agreement on price.

Looks like I'll also be picking up a pair of Scott S15 speakers as well... assuming everything works.
 
Look at the tweets and mids carefully. If they have gotten dark and hard over the years, you could be putting $200 into them to get them refreshed. They should actually look gooey and have a translucent clear look to them when new.

I replaced SDA 1Cs with 1290s and must say that they both are equally satisfying, just in different ways. I still own a house full of Polk gear, but with 1230s and 1290s doing most of the heavy lifting, I'm content.
 
Dennis Gardner said:
Look at the tweets and mids carefully. If they have gotten dark and hard over the years, you could be putting $200 into them to get them refreshed. They should actually look gooey and have a translucent clear look to them when new.

I replaced SDA 1Cs with 1290s and must say that they both are equally satisfying, just in different ways. I still own a house full of Polk gear, but with 1230s and 1290s doing most of the heavy lifting, I'm content.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dennis! I had read about the fact that they should be checked but didn't know exactly what to look for. GREAT description! I'll factor that into my offer if I need to.

I saw someone listed in a thread for these speakers who can refresh the tweets and mids if I need them done.
 
I'd go with the ADS. Its a well made speaker.

I had a pair of RTA12Cs I bought for my son. I couldn't get rid of them fast enough. It was not a well balanced speaker. The tweeter was blaringly bright, the mids got washed out and the bass was just horrible. My 901s have a better sounding bass and my AR90s blew them away in all departments.
 
Got 'em

Here's some photos of them after applying a little lemon oil. They're made of a lot of solid wood!

Most important... I like the way they sound! :banana:
 

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I will be interested in what you think once you compare them. I have a pair of the RTA 12c's and love them but have never heard any ADS model. Just hear good things about them.
 
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