Modded LSi7 vs SDA-2a

dhart86

I have recently come upon a financial dilemma that is causing me to choose between my favorite set of 2-ch speakers. A couple months ago, while I was having the XO's modded in my LSi7's I ran into a good deal on some stock SDA-2a's. I really love both set of speakers for the different sound qualities that they each present. I'm can't decide which speakers to sell.
Consider the following points and tell me what you would do, if you were me

1. My friend will trade me a micrpro 2000 for a 505 sub (and some pool equip)
if I decided to keep Lsi7's

2. Sell the 7's and mod the SDA-2a

3 Are there limitations to modding the 2a's (ie TL mod)

I know listening preferences are subjective, but give me some things to think about

leroyjr1

I'd take the sda's over the LSI 7's.

bluecomet

Buy some RDO 194's for the SDA 2a's and you are good to go. If the speakers are for a 2 channel rig, I would go with the SDA's. I like the Lsi7's in a HT setup. The SDA's have a much larger soundstage and will fill up the room with music. I am not sure if you can mod the SDA 2a's. Make sure you indeed have SDA 2a's because some that look like 2a's are 2B's. You would really have to pull the drivers and see which ones you have. That's what I had to do with mine.

dhart86

OK Thanks ...2 votes for the SDA's. BComet, if SDA's are 2b's what would be different from the 2a's. Does the 2b's have more possibilities for upgrades...Are the sound coming from the mids different btwn the two?

Does anyone prefer the LSI's for music?

bluecomet

The 2a's have two 5010 drivers. They are also blade/blade. The 2b's can be TL'd and are normally pin/blade. They also have two different drivers.

stubby

I had a pair of LSi 9's after I sold my SDA's years ago. That did not last long. I bought another pair of SDA's! Even though they are fine speakers with a bit more inner detail, (LSi) I really missed the sound stage and range of the SDA speakers.

stubby

dhart86

Thanks for the feedback stubby...that really helps, bcomet, mine are blade/blade soI guess they are 2A's

jjwm27

i say have a good long listening session and keep the ones that you you keep comparing the other ones to, those will be the ones that set the bar and the ones to keep. i know i might be the only one here but i prefer listening to my modded Lsi9s over my Sda crs all day long, dont get me wrong i love the Sdas i just like the 9s more, but thats just me.

helipilotdoug

IMHO stay with the SDA 2A's. The MW Drivers in the SDA 2A's are all 6510's. I just updated the tweeters in my 2A's to the 194's, replaced 2 of the 6510's, and did some dynamating. The 2A's are a great speaker. The 194's have been in for about 24 hours of play now, and have started to come around. When I first put them in, they sounded a lot like the old 2000's, but I'm hearing a lot less harshness with just that little time for break in. Here is a link that might answer a lot of your questions about the TL upgrade on the 2A's.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97536&highlight=RDO198
I decided to keep mine as 2A's. I may upgrade the crossovers to newer components, since they are about 25 years old, but that's about the end of it. If you have 2B speakers, then yes by all means go with the TL upgrade. I have a set of 2B's coming that will get the full treatment of mods. Here is a good link to all the tweaks and mods for SDA speakers. http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103506 Hope this helps with your decision.

danger boy

i don't think the SDA2A's can be modded for the TL update..

dhart86

........thanx everybody for all your feedback. Everybody was recommending the Sda's and I was reasoning that if I'm torn but so many people were thinking SDA...then SDA must be the way to go.........Then jjwm comes and makes a perfect suggestion about a long listening session and go with the one you compare the others to. That approach makes a lot of sense to me. But Dang it, the Lsi7's are like my first loves. Fell in love with those before I ever heard the SDA effect, so I've always compared all speakers to the LSi 7

jjwm, good suggestion.....I'll try that approach

dhart86

Doug, if I keep the 2A's I will probably get the 194's ....thanx

JPSmario

danger boy wrote: »

i don't think the SDA2A's can be modded for the TL update..

Yes, they can. see the link:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...ghlight=RDO198

The upgrade is discussed in great detail there.

nooshinjohn

dhart86 wrote: »

........thanx everybody for all your feedback. Everybody was recommending the Sda's and I was reasoning that if I'm torn but so many people were thinking SDA...then SDA must be the way to go.........Then jjwm comes and makes a perfect suggestion about a long listening session and go with the one you compare the others to. That approach makes a lot of sense to me. But Dang it, the Lsi7's are like my first loves. Fell in love with those before I ever heard the SDA effect, so I've always compared all speakers to the LSi 7

jjwm, good suggestion.....I'll try that approach

That logic is not as sound as it seems... SDA's will haunt you, taunt you and tease you like that one girl that got away. Find a way to keep both. It will be like having that faithful wife that doesn't mind sharing you with a mistress.;):D:p:cool:

PS... I know of no wife that goes for that program, but I don't think the speakers will know the difference.

cnh

I agree with John. I have a pair of SDAs I bought used from another member...good price! But I also want to pick up a pair of LSis bookshelves to experience that Vifa tweeter for more than a 'few' listening sessions. It's already one of the better tweeters I have heard and it suits my 'tastes' perfectly. Do they image as well as SDAs with that wall of expanded room filling sound. NO. Do they have the Range and deep BASS of SDAs. No. Are their highs in a class of their own...YES, YES, YES. IMO, neither the original SLs nor the RDOs are quite the Vifa! So for different systems, different rooms. SDAs and LSis! If you can swing it. No need for 'any' decision.

cnh

dhart86

OK after much thought and after an extended listening session (well into the AM) I must report that I agree with everyone's point of view, especially John! John I think your remarks were "on point"(and funny) I'd be regretting selling either speaker, but the SDA's would be haunting me if I didn't have them. Love the soundstage and room filling ability. My modded Lsi' are great as well and probably haven't finished breaking in. I think I need to find another way to raise money! Thanks to everyone for talking me down!

nooshinjohn

Glad to be of service.:D:cool:

heiney9

You can aquire LSi 7's later on if you find you miss them or can use them in another rig much easier than SDA's, both in availability and ease of shipping, etc.

Keep the SDA's.

H9

Bernal

+ 1 LSI


01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's and SUNFIRE Cinema Grand
03) OPPO BDP-83SE Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio
04) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
05) DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
06) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
07) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
09) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
10) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
11) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
12) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround back speakers)
13) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround back speakers)
14) VELODYNE OPTIMUN SERIES 12"(High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=98096 (Not updated)

jjwm27

dhart86 wrote: »

OK after much thought and after an extended listening session (well into the AM) I must report that I agree with everyone's point of view, especially John! John I think your remarks were "on point"(and funny) I'd be regretting selling either speaker, but the SDA's would be haunting me if I didn't have them. Love the soundstage and room filling ability. My modded Lsi' are great as well and probably haven't finished breaking in. I think I need to find another way to raise money! Thanks to everyone for talking me down!

glad to hear, i dont think you can go wrong with either one. i prefer my 9s but if i ever got rid of the Sdas i know i would regret it.

mdaudioguy

Bernal wrote: »

+ 1 LSI


01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's and SUNFIRE Cinema Grand
03) OPPO BDP-83SE Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio
04) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
05) DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
06) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
07) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
09) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
10) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
11) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
12) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround back speakers)
13) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround back speakers)
14) VELODYNE OPTIMUN SERIES 12"(High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=98096 (Not updated)

+1 on the LSis because you own a bunch?

P.S. Why Don't You Add Your Equipment List To Your Signature Block?