Polk Audio RT400

[The Shocker]

I bought a pair of Polk Audio RT400 speakers over the weekend for $50 and have been enjoying them. The cabinets are in good shape, but the corners are scratched up and the wood can be seen, since the black has worn away.

Two questions:

1. RT400s for $50? Good deal? Are these things well regarded?
2. Best way to get the cabinets looking good again?

I've never been a big fan of the look of black. I was thinking of doing a veneer of some kind that looks like wood. Any guides to doing this?

 

[lt.slothr0p]

greetings shocker! i came across your post just now when googling the rt400's, trying to get a feel for their current value. i have had a pair of these for a few years now. the moderators prefer money and value discussions to be had elsewhere, but i'd say you did really well at 50 bones. judging from the frustrating scarcity of info online, they seem to be pretty uncommon/rare. i don't totally trust the few ebay "buy it now" prices, but they are a very serviceable speaker. i use mine primarily for music with a turntable and vintage pioneer receiver. surprisingly good bass response (esp placed near rear walls) and i do not use a sub. i can't really help you with repair question, but it does seem like the black coating over the wood might be a difficult fix. to answer your first question though, definitely a good deal, and imo the rt400's aren't really popular enough to have a real consensus opinion. even if they did, though, the opinion that matters most is the one formed by your own ears. what are your plans for them? what are you going to power them with? just curious because the sx-850 i drive them with is plenty, but also not a monster.