SDA 1C vs SRS 2.3 purchase decision

On3s&Z3r0s

Several months ago I got my first intro to the SDA's when I purchased a pair of original 2's. I like them, but they're a little echo-y off axis. Since the consensus seems to be that the later SDA's without dimensional tweeters are superior I've been considering buying another pair.

There are a couple of different pairs available in my area now (within a half day's drive). One is a pair of SDA 1C's for $600 and the other is a pair of SRS 2.3's for $850. The 2.3's are definitely not the TL's, they have the MW6513 donut drivers. They're all stock (SL2000's all around) and both have the original interconnect.

So, if those are my choices, any feelings on which are the better value and if there's a big sonic difference between them?

inspiredsports

Either would yield a nice sonic improvement over the 2's. If you have a larger listening area and could compare your two choices side by side, you would most likely prefer the bass produced by the larger 15" passive in the 2.3. As I understand it, the doughnut drivers are scarce which might be pose a challenge if you ever need a replacement.

What are the dimensions of your listening area?

george daniel

what size listening area? If the prices are firm- then I'd go with the 2.3's.

On3s&Z3r0s

The listening area is unfortunately weirdly L-shaped. It's kind of a great room and includes a kitchen. In the long axis it's 40' x 14' (widening out to 25' at the end opposite the kitchen). The core listening area is about 14 x 20. I think the room is big enough to allow the 2.3's to sound good, though there may be a bit of a WAF issue (isn't there always).

I've talked to the guy selling the 1C's. He's firm on price. I haven't approached the guy selling the 2.3's, but they're listed on Ebay for a BIN of $850 OBO, so there may be some wiggle room there.

I'd be leaning stronger toward the 2.3's, but the 1C's seem to get a LOT of praise here, and I was wondering if I do go bigger if I should be waiting for some TL's.

hearingimpared

The 1Cs are very special speakers but if it were me having to make the decision I would go with the 2.3s. You upgrade the tweeters and crossover and have a speaker you will be keeping for a long, long time.

The same can be said of the 1Cs but IMHO you'll get more enjoyment out of the 2.3s.

maandjojo

If you place the speakers on the long wall and sit yourself about 9 to 10 ft from the speakers the 2.3 would be great. As long as you use enough power. Go for it, you will enjoy for a long time.

Joe

hearingimpared

maandjojo wrote: »

If you place the speakers on the long wall and sit yourself about 9 to 10 ft from the speakers the 2.3 would be great. As long as you use enough power. Go for it, you will enjoy for a long time.

Joe

I have my 1.2TLs on the long wall and they are 6' 6" apart. My sweet spot starts at 6' from the center plane of the speakers and goes back to over 8'.

So the size of the speaker really doesn't matter it is how far apart the speakers are from each other to gauge the sweet spot no matter whether they are CRS+'s, 1Cs, 2.3's or 1.2's.

inspiredsports

Based upon the size of the room, I think the 2.3's will give you the best sound. Upgrading as funds allow will make it even better.

flason

2.3's will only make you wonder what 1.2's would sound like!!!!

WastelandWand'r

I would suggest you buy both. That way if you find you prefer one over the other you can sell the set you don't like and be satisfied. If anything your listening area will be sure to impress with all the big boxes sitting in it!!!

Of note, I think the seller of the 1C's, (these are the standard and not studio versions I believe) had another set for sale previously and you may be looking at the less desirable set so a thorough inspection would be prudent.

Size wise the two are not similar, the 2.3's are a two person move while the 1C's you can muscle around by yourself. That may be a consideration as well.

I met with a Polkie in the Seattle area and listened to both 2B and 2.3TL's in a smaller listening room. Guesstimate it at 12X13 and the 2B's were a much better fit, sound wise. At least to my ears, and the 2B's are smaller then the 1C's.

Hope this helps and either way if they are in good shape you will be proud to have either.

Happy Trails,
Nathan

Joe08867

I would go for the 2.3's. Stock they sound great and done up they sound awesome.

1C's are a special speaker but the 2.3 has it's very own sound.

On3s&Z3r0s

WastelandWand'r wrote: »

... Of note, I think the seller of the 1C's, (these are the standard and not studio versions I believe) had another set for sale previously and you may be looking at the less desirable set so a thorough inspection would be prudent.
...
I met with a Polkie in the Seattle area and listened to both 2B and 2.3TL's in a smaller listening room. Guesstimate it at 12X13 and the 2B's were a much better fit, sound wise. At least to my ears, and the 2B's are smaller then the 1C's.
...
Happy Trails,
Nathan

The 1C's are standard, not studio. I don't know if the same guy sold another pair recently, but he's been trying to sell these for a while. For mint 1C's I wouldn't feel bad about spending the $600, but I didn't feel warm and fuzzy after talking to the seller.

There is also a pair of 2B's for $350 right across town from me, but I dismissed those as not being different enough from my 2's, plus I like having at least one dedicated driver for lower bass.

I think with all the input I've finally got myself talked out of the 1C's. I'll watch the 2.3's for the next couple days, and if I can get them for about $750 it'll be too good to pass up.

I won't be stingy with the info if anyone else wants a crack at them for closer to the BIN of $850. They're on Ebay in Portland. I can grab the link and include it if folks are interested.

Thanks for all the input!

bsoko2

Take a look at these LSi15's in Bothell: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ele/1769826690.html. $800 is an excellent price for them.

Bill

inspiredsports

On3s&Z3r0s wrote: »

The 1C's are standard, not studio. I don't know if the same guy sold another pair recently, but he's been trying to sell these for a while. For mint 1C's I wouldn't feel bad about spending the $600, but I didn't feel warm and fuzzy after talking to the seller.

There is also a pair of 2B's for $350 right across town from me, but I dismissed those as not being different enough from my 2's, plus I like having at least one dedicated driver for lower bass.

I think with all the input I've finally got myself talked out of the 1C's. I'll watch the 2.3's for the next couple days, and if I can get them for about $750 it'll be too good to pass up.

I won't be stingy with the info if anyone else wants a crack at them for closer to the BIN of $850. They're on Ebay in Portland. I can grab the link and include it if folks are interested.

Thanks for all the input!

I think you will be very happy with that decision and rewarded with deeper and richer sound quality and a deeper and wider soundstage.

On3s&Z3r0s

bsoko2 wrote: »

Take a look at these LSi15's in Bothell: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ele/1769826690.html. $800 is an excellent price for them.

Bill

Yeah, it's definitely Polk season in the PNW. I talked to the guy selling the LSi 15's and that seemed sketchy too. He's selling them for a friend, doesn't have the floor spikes and bumpers... I know it seems minor, but handing over that kind of money for articles of dubious provenance makes me feel itchy.

F1nut

There is also a pair of 2B's for $350 right across town from me, but I dismissed those as not being different enough from my 2's

The 2B's are very different from your 2's. Do the TL upgrade and you'll be amazed.

plus I like having at least one dedicated driver for lower bass.

Huh? Low bass is produced by the passive radiator, not the mid-drivers.

bikerboy

Hi,
If you want to hear sda 2.3 and sdaIIa with a single tweeter you can hear them at my place. PM me if you are interested. I got the 2.3s from Bill(bsoko2)

On3s&Z3r0s

F1nut wrote: »

The 2B's are very different from your 2's. Do the TL upgrade and you'll be amazed.

Huh? Low bass is produced by the passive radiator, not the mid-drivers.

I appreciate that the TL upgrade would change them significantly, but I don't really have that kind of time to devote to it at the moment. And, not to pick nits, but the PR is where the low bass is emitted. I guess you could say that it shapes the bass, but it doesn't produce anything on its own. The MW's are doing that and the original 2's have one MW that's dedicated to bass with a crossover at 125Hz.

On3s&Z3r0s

bikerboy wrote: »

Hi,
If you want to hear sda 2.3 and sdaIIa with a single tweeter you can hear them at my place. PM me if you are interested. I got the 2.3s from Bill(bsoko2)

That's a very generous offer, thanks I might have to take you up on that! Hopefully you have a beverage of choice I could bring by as compensation. I'll drop you a PM when I get some time free and hopefully we can work something out.

F1nut

And, not to pick nits, but the PR is where the low bass is emitted. I guess you could say that it shapes the bass, but it doesn't produce anything on its own. The MW's are doing that and the original 2's have one MW that's dedicated to bass with a crossover at 125Hz.

If that's what you want to believe.

On3s&Z3r0s

F1nut wrote: »

If that's what you want to believe.

I guess I could be misreading the specs in the original manual, but I'll keep on believing it until someone makes a reasonable case otherwise. I'm not sure if we're arguing about whether the original SDA 2's have an extra driver that is crossed over more for bass than mid-bass or whether a PR actually produces bass all on its own. A PR is just a fancy port.

I guess here's a good question... does the 2B produce as much or more bass than the 1C? The 1 series and original 2's all have the SW120 passive, and the 2B's have the SW121. If the PR is what matters then the orignal 2's should have the same bass characteristics as the 1C, but obviously it's the PR's plus the MW's plus whatever baffling or whatever is going on inside the cabinet. Maybe the SW121 is tuned to get more low bass out of fewer mid drivers, but it's not just the PR that matters by itself.

hogsfly

I have 2.3s in a room 12x16. They are on the long wall 7ft apart and sound amazing!! Have had 1c's and they do have thier own sound the 2.3s are the way to go hands down

hearingimpared

hogsfly wrote: »

I have 2.3s in a room 12x16. They are on the long wall 7ft apart and sound amazing!! Have had 1c's and they do have thier own sound the 2.3s are the way to go hands down

Glad you are enjoying them however I have a question. With the 2.3s on the 16' long wall, 7' apart, how much space is there between the speaker's outer edge and the side walls?

IIRC the minimum length wall for SDAs, particularly 1.2s, to reside on is 15.5'. That would leave you the minimum recommended 4' between speakers to get the recommended 3' from the side walls.

hogsfly

Just did the math and got out the tape messure out the number I got was 6.5 ft between inside edge of speakers 7ft was a 12 am guess!!!!!